In Bulacan, young parishioners have swapped spooky Halloween costumes for depictions of saints — redefining the season of All Saints’ Day (and the related observances) as one of holiness, not horror.
At one parish inside the City of Malolos, youths dressed in robes, veils and other saint-inspired costumes took part in an evening “Parade of Saints” to commemorate the feast day of all holy men and women. According to the parish youth coordinator, the goal is both devotional and educational: “It’s not that they’re worshipping the ones they portray… but we want children to recognise the traits of those saints, what we can learn from them,” he explained.
The program also addresses a growing concern: that younger Catholics are losing interest in Masses and traditional devotions. Through the parade, the parish hopes to engage them by making historical saints relatable and present in the lives of children. One participant reflected: “For just one day I get to be like a saint — one who spread the faith despite trials — and maybe I can learn from that.”
Importantly, the initiative is explicitly positioned as a counter‐narrative to the usual horror-themed Halloween celebrations. As one organiser put it: “Halloween is Catholic: ‘hallow’ means holy. This day isn’t about fear, it’s about the saints.”
In short: In Bulacan, children and youth are being encouraged to march not as ghosts or monsters, but as models of virtue and faith — turning dress-up into discipleship.