The initiative aims to diffuse Halloween with an authentic Christian flavour and promote the life of the saints, concerts, vigils and Eucharistic adoration.
Spain – Madrid (26/10/2021 9:01 AM, Gaudium Press) Following a tradition of over a decade, the Diocese of Alcalá de Henares in Madrid (Spain) will once again promote ‘Holywins.’
The activity, scheduled on the same day as Halloween, encourages children and young people to dress up as saints, recalling their exemplary lives through games, testimonies and songs.
What does ‘Holywins’ mean?
The Spanish Diocese explained that the name ‘Holywins’ is a tweak on the word Halloween, meaning ‘holiness wins‘ or ‘the victory of holiness.’ This phonetic proximity of both words highlights the Christian feast of All Saints as an option to the pagan celebration of Halloween.
The ‘Holywins‘ festival emerged in France in 2002. The initiative aims to diffuse Halloween with an authentic Christian flavour and promote the life of the saints, concerts, vigils and Eucharistic adoration. Alcalá de Henares was the first Diocese in Spain to host the festival.
Recover the true meaning of All Saints’ Eve
The organizers point out that although ‘Halloween’ is an English term meaning ‘All Saints’ Eve,’ this celebration currently has no relationship whatsoever with the Catholic Faith. Instead, it has turned into an utterly pagan festival.
“We want to bring back the true meaning of this day and celebrate all those who have heroically followed Jesus Christ, with a luminous feast of All Saints that overflows with joy and hope,” the Diocese says in a statement.
Celebrate the triumph of life and promote beauty and goodness
The initiative also aims to encourage a break from the cult of death and horror.
It is proper for Christians to celebrate the triumph of life and promote beauty and goodness. “Life is beautiful and our goal is Heaven; there are many who have arrived there already and we are all called to share their happiness, for we all can be saints,” concludes the communiqué from the Diocese. (EPC)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
