This Saturday is Oct. 31, which is, of course, Halloween. The next day, Nov. 1, is All Saints Day. A tradition grew up in Europe, in the Middle Ages, that the day before All Saints Day and All Souls Day, which is Nov. 2, when we honor those who died, was to be known as All Hallows Eve. It eventually evolved into Halloween.
   
The myth was that on Halloween, all the deceased were set free to roam the earth. People would dress up as saints to honor them. Later the focus shifted from the saints to all the dead and especially evil spirits. So the whole tone of the day changed.
   
I know I am wasting my time, but I would like to see a reversion to the original meaning of Halloween, when we focus on the saints, and the whole idea of holiness. I am not one who thinks that dressing up as demons or monsters is going to spiritually scar kids. But I would like to see a more positive meaning for the day.
—Fr. Mike Comer