Several parishes in Cebu held 'Parade of Saints' to celebrate the season

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Various parishes in the Archdiocese of Cebu held a "Parade of Saints," in which children and parishioners wore costumes depicting saints on the day others dressed as ghosts and ghouls.

"The initiative echoes the call of Cebu Archbishop Alberto “Abet” Uy to reclaim the Christian meaning of the season by placing holiness above horror and celebrating the lives of the saints rather than focusing on the popular imagery of ghosts and ghouls," the archdiocese said in a statement.

Archbishop Abet was quoted as saying, “Make the celebration creative, beautiful, and joyful. Let our children discover that saints are not boring people from the distant past. They were people who loved greatly—and God is still calling saints today.”

“Let us transform a night often associated with fear into a celebration of faith. Heaven is our destination. Holiness is our calling. And joy is our path,” he added.

The people from parish such as Sta. Monica Parish in Pinamungajan town, joined the parade dressed as St. Francis of Assissi, St. Anthony de Padua, Saint Joseph, among others.

"Indeed, Halloween has Christian roots. Its name comes from “All Hallows’ Eve,” referring to the evening before All Saints’ Day, with “hallow” meaning holy," said the archdiocese.

"More than a festive gathering, the Parade of Saints serves as a reminder that this season is not about fear, but about faith, virtue, and the invitation to live holy lives. Through these simple yet meaningful expressions, children and families are encouraged to see sainthood not as something distant or unattainable, but as a calling for everyone," it added.

The statement ended with a prayer, "May we, through the intercession of all the saints, be inspired to follow their example of faith and love, and may God grant us the grace to become saints in our own time." — BAP, GMA News