The Hollow in Halloween

Halloween was one of my favorite holidays as a child. I remember the excitement I felt when I got to choose my costume—sometimes I was a Disney princess, or a Star Wars character, or a spontaneous creation from my closet. The delight of going door to door, clutching my plastic pumpkin basket full of candy, was what I looked forward to all of October. My parents made it fun, participating in family trick-or-treat events, and I’m very grateful for those memories.

But in recent years, I’ve found myself pulling away from Halloween because of how it affects me personally. And this year, I’ve decided not to participate at all, not out of protest, but from a place of discernment. I'm not skipping Halloween this year because I think it’s the devil’s holiday. In fact, I’ve never had a moral issue with Halloween itself. The origins of Halloween tie deeply into the Catholic tradition of All Hallow’s Eve, the vigil of the Solemnity of All Saints. It’s a reminder that we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses (see Hebrews 12:1), and that death does not have the upper hand in light of the Resurrection (see 1 Corinthians 15:55).

When “Fun” Is No Longer Fun

When I was in middle school, my dad and I were walking through Home Depot, and I turned a corner to find a row of massive Halloween inflatables. These inflatable yard decorations were grotesque, demonic, and seemed almost proud of their darkness.

At this age, I also began to watch all the exciting thriller and action movies (Twilight, Harry Potter, The Hobbit, etc). I had gotten used to seeing “scary” stuff on television and knew how to separate fiction from reality. Still, something about the exaggerated horror and celebration of fear deeply unsettled me.

That moment stayed with me for a long time. The more I paid attention to how Halloween imagery shifted over the years, I noticed how often they felt sinister. Even the costumes worn by children—gory masks, shirts dripped in “fake” blood, skeletons with glowing eyes, hats with pretend daggers thrown in the middle—began to weigh on my heart. Why would we allow children—the innocent, precious members of our society—to be dressed as creepy and scary characters? That never sat right with me.

It was because of this feeling that I realized I wasn’t being “overly sensitive”—I was being honest with how my heart was convicted. I think that’s something more of us need permission to experience.

Your Emotions Are a Doorway to God

The Bible reminds us “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). As daughters of that light, we are not being difficult or dramatic when we sense a misalignment between our surroundings and the peace of Christ within us. This discomfort we feel can be a gentle or stern nudge from the Holy Spirit. Our culture normalizes darkness, and celebrates it, as we see on Halloween. Therefore, it can be easy to believe that we are the problem when we feel uncomfortable in a Spirit Halloween store.

But what if the issue is not due to sensitivity or weakness? What if it is a sign that the Spirit has nudged us to something greater? Jesus invites us to come to Him with our burdens: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). This includes emotional burdens that may seem small or socially inconvenient to the rest of society. This enables us to pause and ask the Holy Spirit, “What are You trying to show me here?”

Letting God Honor Your Triggers

God honors our heart. Not just the “best” parts, but the tender ones too. He wants us to lean into Him; He wants to “save the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). This verse doesn’t just apply to trauma, but it speaks to the moments where we feel startled or fearful.

I used to feel like an outcast when I wasn’t buying Halloween decor from Party City or wearing scary costumes. But I grew to accept not being with the norm—yes, Halloween unsettles me, and that’s okay. I no longer force myself to engage with things that stir up my conscience. Rather, I allow that discomfort to bring me into conversation with God. This is the gift of wisdom, to “keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

Peace Over Pressure

Choosing a different path than the rest of the world can feel isolating at times. People will say, “Lighten up. It’s only Halloween; it’s not even real.” But when something rubs you the wrong way, and your peace is disturbed, it is okay to honor those convictions, even when no one else understands. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” You don’t need to follow the crowd, and you certainly don’t need to betray your heart in order to avoid feeling isolated.

As Catholic women, we often reflect on our lives here on earth, and the one we look forward to in Heaven. Cultural customs can be enriching and beautiful, but they can also distract us from the peace God offers us. Discerning what God wants us to say and do is key. For me, choosing to not participate in Halloween this year is a small way of saying yes to God, by protecting my peace and honoring my heart.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, not just about Halloween, but about anything that disturbs your heart, let this be your permission slip. Don’t ignore it while the world shrugs it off. Take a step back, and let the Lord speak into your heart. The journey to holiness often begins where we least expect it—even during situations where we feel convicted, like in the aisles of Home Depot on a quiet October night.

Victoria Cardona holds a bachelor's and master's degree in theology from Ave Maria University, with minors in education and catechetics. She is currently pursuing a master's in educational leadership at St. Thomas University. Victoria is a published writer, with her work primarily featured on Caeli, Magdala, and The Star of Bethlehem, where her reflections explore themes of faith, beauty, and discipleship. She draws strength in the lives of the Saints, the beauty of Adoration, and the quiet strength of our Lady, as she strives to live each day with gratitude, simplicity, and joy.