By Bishop Durrell Watkins, D.Min.

Halloween is back this month. It’s practically an LGBTQ+ High Holy Day. Costumes, street parties, haunted houses, scary movies, and tons of candy fill the month. It really is all a lot of fun. 

But there is a backstory to the merriment. Ancient Celts believed October 31 was when the veil between worlds was thin and spirits could cross over to our side. They would make bon-fires and wear masks to frighten away the ghosts that might come to call. 

Eventually, the Church got in on the act and appointed November 1 a day to celebrate martyrs (saints, hallows), and November 2 to remember “All Souls.” October 31 then became known as All Hallows Eve, shortened in common usage to “Halloween.” 

I like macabre movies, disturbing costumes, and streets filled with outrageous joy. But this year I’m hoping some spirits will sneak through the veil and pay us a visit.  

Perhaps the spirit of civility will show up. I would welcome the spirit of generosity, the spirit of kindness, the spirit of empathy, the spirit of compassion. Some of these qualities have seemed dead, asleep, or in hiding, but they may yet stir again. We’ve been haunted by cruelty and discord long enough; I’m ready for sanity and gentleness to take their place.  

This year, I’m burning a candle for Halloween, not to frighten but to attract certain spirits, spirits of nobler days, kinder hearts, and angelic intentions. Happy Halloween.

Bishop Durrell Watkins is the Senior Minister of Fort Lauderdale’s Sunshine Cathedral.