Teach holiness, Archbishop Bendico urges families

Capiz Archbishop Victor Bendico has called on Filipino families to teach children the meaning of All Saints’ Day, urging the faithful to celebrate holiness and avoid glorifying evil.

In a pastoral letter for the 1 November observance, Bendico reminded parents and the faithful to help young people understand the religious significance of the feast.

“Dear brothers and sisters, let us teach our children to admire what is holy, not to glorify what is evil,” he said.

“Let us celebrate saints, imitate their virtues, and choose the light of Christ,” the prelate added.

Bendico noted that Halloween-themed parties and activities have become increasingly common, particularly among children and young people.

While many of these celebrations are intended as innocent recreation, he cautioned that some deliberately glamorize demonic figures, occult practices, cruelty and violence.

“These images can confuse children about the seriousness of evil and obscure the Christian meaning of these sacred days,” he said.

The archbishop urged the faithful to rediscover the beauty and significance of All Saints’ Day, which celebrates the victory of Christ and the common calling of Christians to holiness.

He also reminded the faithful that the Feast of All Saints grew out of the early Church’s remembrance of martyrs.

The celebration honors not only canonized saints but also the countless faithful who, though unknown to the world, are believed to share in heavenly glory.

“The saints include parents, workers, young people, religious, and ordinary believers who answered God’s grace with extraordinary love,” Bendico said.