The Hallowtide season is a triduum (3-day period of observance) in the Catholic Church. It runs from October 31 to November 2. It includes All Hallows Eve (or, Halloween), The Solemnity of All Saints (or, All Saints Day), and All Souls Day. Just like the Members of the Blessed Trinity, each day of this special triduum has a special role and purpose.

All Hallows Eve is a time to reflect on the fact the Hell is real and evil exists (and how Jesus conquered it all!). All Saints Day is a day to revel in the Heavenly award that awaits us. All Souls Day is set aside to remember the Holy Souls in Purgatory. We can use Hallowtide to reflect on death, judgment, Heaven, and Hell. These three days also give us the proper context and opportunity to gently and truthfully talk about death with our children.

On All Hallows Eve (Halloween) We “Remember Our Death” – October 31^st

All Hallows Eve, or “Halloween,” occurs on the Eve of the Solemnity of All Saints. The Solemnity of All Saints (or, All Saints Day) is the highlight of the Hallowtide Season. All Hallows Eve is the preparation for the main event of All Saints Day – much like our lives are the preparation for the main event of entering into Eternal Life.

Is it just me, or have secular Halloween decorations gotten scarier? We can calm our children’s fears when they see ghoulish or scary decorations by reminding them that Jesus already won the battle! The creepy displays remind us that Hell and evil truly do exist, but, as Catholics, we have plenty of tools (like the Rosary!) to fight in this battle of spiritual warfare. In fact, why not say a Hail Mary or the St. Michael Prayer as a family when you drive past a super scary house? We can use Halloween to discuss Hell (in age appropriate, truthful ways) with our children.

The Solemnity of All Saints is All About Heaven – November 1^st

The joyous and glorious Solemnity of All Saints is on November 1^st. This is one of my absolute favorite Feast Days in the Church because we get to celebrate, think about, talk about, and even dress up as the Saints! Since All Saints Day is a Holy Day of Obligation, we will attend Mass as a family. We usually plan to attend Mass with other families and friends to make it even more special. It is so powerful to pray with friends at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I can easily picture all of the Saints and Angels filling up the church and surrounding us on this high feast!

On All Saints Day, talk about the Saints and Heaven! Read some books with your children and encourage them to dress up as a favorite Saint. As you learn about the Saints, discuss the trials of their lives and what made them holy while they were on this earth. What virtues did these men and women display? We can find so much inspiration in the lives of the Saints, and this is the day to revel in the gift and beauty of our Heavenly friends and how we can be with all of them some day in Heaven.

All Souls Day is a Day to Pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory – November 2^nd

The Hallowtide triduum ends with All Souls Day on November 2^nd. This is a special day set aside to pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory – those who have died, but may not have received the Eternal Reward of Heaven until undergoing this last purification.

On this day, we always go to a cemetery and pray for the dead. We put up pictures of our deceased relatives, light a blessed candle, and pray for them too. In fact, the entire month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls, so we continue to pray for our deceased family and friends all month long. We offer Rosaries and Masses for them, and we say the Eternal Rest prayer when we pass their pictures. Use All Souls Day to teach your children about Purgatory, and pray for the Holy Souls.

Happy Hallowtide!

We are all going to die someday (Memento Mori!), and the Hallowtide season helps us to look towards death, not with fear but with hope. There is no need to avoid the topic of death in our homes because, as Catholics, we know that death is not the end! Our souls are made for eternity in Heaven with God. Let us celebrate that truth and have a very Happy Hallowtide!

This article also appeared on CatholicMom.com.