Church leaders have urged believers to refrain from celebrating Halloween on October 31, which falls on the eve of All Saints’ Day, one of the most important holidays in the Catholic calendar.
Halloween customs such as trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving and costume parties have become increasingly common in Polish cities, even as clergy warn that the celebration is "alien to Polish culture and tradition."
Former Popes Francis and Benedict XVI both expressed concerns about Halloween, saying it encourages “dangerous practices” and distracts the faithful from Christian observances, according to Polish news outlets.
Despite those warnings, the holiday’s popularity continues to grow in the predominantly Catholic country, where about 92 percent of people identify as members of the Church, according to official statistics.
Photo: Polish Radio
"From a retail perspective, Halloween is an increasingly important seasonal event in Poland," market researcher Antonina Grzelak said.
"Poles enjoy themed shopping opportunities—from Valentine’s Day to Women’s Day, to Halloween and Christmas. Stores that successfully connect marketing with emotion and tradition can expect higher sales during this period," she added.
'Holywins' instead of Halloween?
At the same time, some Catholic families across Europe are reinterpreting the celebration through the "Holywins" movement—a play on "Holy" and "Halloween," reports say.
The movement, which began in Paris in 2002 and has spread to Poland, Italy, Spain and other countries, encourages children to dress as saints and angels rather than ghosts or monsters.
Participants join joyful parades, games and prayer services to highlight the meaning of All Saints’ Day on November 1.
Organizers say "Holywins" offers families an opportunity to celebrate light, holiness and faith in public, while maintaining traditional Christian values.
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Source: polskieradio.pl, onet.pl, interia.pl, Polsat News, wprost.pl, catholicreview.org