Parishes encourage children to “wear” their saints

By Myrna S. Bermudo

The Parish Youth Council of the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Joseph in San Jose has invited children for this year’s “Children Wear Your Saints Online” contest.

“As All Saints’ Day is fast approaches, many of us associate it with scary costumes. Let us be reminded that it is a solemn Catholic holy day honoring the Saints of the Church,” said the parish in their social media post.

Photos of participants in the Festival of Saints in Our Lady of Prompt Succor Parish. (Contributed photo)

Children “Wear” their saints at the Archdiocesan Parish of St. Joseph. (Photo : Parish Youth Council FB )

Children, 3-12 years old who belong to the parish, are invited to choose their favorite saint, wear their garments, look like them and submit the photo to the parish.

The youth ministry of the Parish of St. Francis in Buhi, through their social media account, has also announced a similar activity: “Parade of Saints is back again! We, the Parish Youth Ministry and the Parish of St. Francis of Assisi, are very happy to announce that this coming 31st of October 2022 will again witness the anticipating “PARADE OF SAINTS”, through the representation of young ones, “ announced the youth ministry of Buhi parish. They are inviting children ages 5 to 12 years old to participate for this year’s activity.

The Parish of Our Lady of Prompt Succor in observance of Feast of all Saints, has launched its First Festival of Saints last year November 2021. Fr. Misael Quindo, the parish priest said that “It was an occasion where the saints of the parish and favorite saints were portrayed by the children and youth dressed in saints’ clothes.”

The Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) decided to hold the activity as a yearly tradition for the Parish in celebrating All Saints’ Day. The children will be presented during the All Saints Day Mass at 3:00 PM on October 29, 2022. It will be followed by the Festival of Saints Mobile Parade (aboard on padyaks). After the procession, they will be treated to a merienda at the Parish grounds. This year, the parish has 34 participants.

Catholic church leaders has encouraged parents not to dress up children as monsters, dress them up as angels or 8saints instead.

Halloween (“All Hallow’s Eve” or “All Hallow-Even”) is a Catholic celebration in honor of all the saints.