by Sr. Sheila Campbell, MMM                           Ireland                              31.10.2026

I grew up in a newly developed suburb of Belfast in the 1950s. Looking back on it now, we had no idea that Northern Ireland would be plunged into so many years of “The Troubles” when tensions between the two distinct communities would flare up.

My memory of Halloween involves the setting of a small bonfire and running around the street with a sparkler in my hand. It was for both religious traditions and all the kids in my street enjoyed it together. My father, or one of the other responsible fathers, was responsible for setting off the other types of fireworks. I remember my brother pleading anxiously to be a part of that kind of fun. Nowadays, of course, fireworks are mostly illegal unless with a special permit.

Halloween is a very Irish festival. The name evolved because it was the evening before All Hallows, or All Saints. But the roots are deep in Celtic tradition. The Celts celebrated Samhain to mark the end of the harvest and the start of winter. The juggle between life (summer, growth) and winter (dead, bleak) was most apparent at this time.

There was no tradition of witches or pumpkin lanterns: I think that might have been a later American addition. Trick or treat was also not invented at that time.

Of course, as I child all these traditions were beyond my understanding. I loved Halloween because of the fireworks and because my mother always baked a large apple dumpling pudding with coins added (carefully wrapped in greaseproof paper) .
To get one of these coins on Halloween was a winner!

As Halloween comes around again, I just hope that children can get great joy in the small things of life, enjoy the company of other children and learn to build community.

All the Saints, show us how to live!