By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
As a way to witness to the Christian faith on Halloween this year, Christians across the UK are being urged to place a light in their window as a sign to passers-by that they are followers of Jesus Christ.
The initiative, known as Night of Light, is the inspiration of Damian Stayne, founder of the Catholic community known as Cor et Lumen Christi.
“The Night of Light is an intentional initiative to reclaim Halloween as a joyful Christian celebration,” Stayne explained in a press release. “In many countries around the world children’s celebrations are being organized, as are prayer gatherings, with people putting a light in their window to visibly witness to neighbors and friends.”
He added: “The evening of October 31 is called Halloween (“All Hallows Eve”) and is the vigil of the Feast of All Saints – the feast in which Catholics celebrate the glory of God in His saints, the victory of light over darkness in the lives of God’s holy ones in heaven. Jesus is the ‘Light of the World.’ The saints lived by that light and became a beacon in their own generation. Everyone is called by Jesus to live out this vocation – to be the ‘light of the world’ for others today.”
Aside from putting a light in a window as a sign of faith in Jesus Christ, other activities include:
– Attending a Vigil Mass for the Feast of All Saints
– Spending all night adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
– Providing treats and fun for children celebrating All Saints and the LIght of Christ, such as helping them dress up as saints.
– Wearing a white item of clothing as a symbol of allegiance to Christ, Our Light.
Although the Night of Lights has been held before in the UK, this year the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales are partnering in the effort as a way of following up on the recent visit of Pope Benedict XVI.
“Halloween is now the biggest commercial festival after Christmas and Easter, and it is time we reminded Christians of what it really is,” said Bishiop Kieran Conry, Chair of the Department for Evangelization and Catechesis.
“The celebration of feast days is an important part of our Catholic culture. On the evening of October 31, why not do something to make your faith respectfullly seen and heard?”
Putting a light in a window, perhaps alongside an image of Christ, can be “a powerful way in which we can show people that we have hope in someone other than ourselves,” he said.
Click here for additional ways to celebrate the Night of Lights.
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