Halloween’s darkness and light

Halloween, as a festive fun time, is becoming more and more popular in Ireland. But in this interview from the Religious Network News archive Fr Jim Noonan OCD reminds listeners that Halloween also serves to remind people of the darker side of life and the inescapable presence of death.

All Hallows Eve take place on 31 October, the last day of autumn before winter sets in and nature shuts down, with many animals hibernating. But the ‘shut down’ is really a preparation for the rebirth that will occur in spring, says Fr Jim. So at Halloween time we acknowledge death, and we acknowledge the inevitable cycle of rebirth and new life. As our Christian faith reminds us, the wave pattern of human life is birth, death, and resurrection.

Listen here to Fr Jim’s interview » with Miriam Gormally, former Director of RNN.