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The Night if Light is a initiative to reclaim Halloween for
the church. The inspiration for it was received by the founder
of the community. In it's first year - 2000 AD - over 1000
people participated from several countries. This included
special All Saints Vigil masses, extended periods of Adoration
of the Blessed Sacrament and parties for children. Night if
Light was reported upon very positively in the Catholic press
and in the Times newspaper.
In its second year 10,000
participated.
Today the Night of Light is celebrated by uncountable numbers
of people around the world in schools, chapels, parishes and
cathedrals.
It is promoted every year on EWTN, a Catholic satellite television
network in the USA which has tens of million of viewers around
the world. It has also been reported on by national radio
when BBC 5 Live iinterviewed Bishop Conry who spoke on behalf
of the Bishop's conference of England and Wales who gave their
official backing the Night of Light. There were also 13 interviews
on local BBC radio around the country with its founder Damian
Stayne and reports on Premiere national Christian Radio. As
well as articles in the Catholic press there have also been
articles in the British national newspapers, including one
on the front page of the Daily Telegraph.
For a link to our Night of Light
website which provides more information and resources please
click the Night of Light logo in the middle column of this
page.
 - Mass at the local parish church
 - ... followed by Adoration
 - Children's party
Above, a special mass was held in our local parish church
with adoration following. Adoration was held through the night
at the community house. Many children came to a party to celebrate
All Saints dressing up as different saints themselves.
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Night of Light
http://www.nightoflight.org/
What immediately comes to mind when you think of Halloween? Probably,
like most people, it is the images of witches and ghosts and so
on, which belong to the dark world of the occult and magic - images
of darkness and death.
In fact Halloween ('All Hallows Eve'), the evening of the 31st October,
is the vigil (beginning) of the feast of All Saints - the feast
in which we celebrate the glory of God in His saints. The victory
of light over darkness in the lives of God's holy ones in heaven.
Jesus is the 'Light of the World'. The saints lived by that light,
and became a beacon in their own generation. We too are called by
Jesus to live out this vocation - to be the 'Light of the world'
today.
Let Christians reclaim Halloween for God so that it is transformed
from a night of darkness into a great Christian festival once again.
In this way, in years to come, when people are asked what immediately
springs to mind when they think of Halloween, they will think of
Jesus Christ and the glory of God in His saints. They will think
of a Night of Light.
So what are the key elements of the Night of Light?
- A vigil mass for the feast of All Saints (including a collection
in the mass for pro-life work as abortion is such a work of
darkness in our land today).
- All night Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament
- to join the saints in heaven in the worship of Jesus Christ
the True Light.
- Treats and fun for the children in celebration
of All Saints and the Light of Christ. Perhaps the lighting
of a candle at supper and sweets and fun events in families
or schools, e.g. a bonfire or dressing up as saints.
- Placing a light in your window (safely!) as a
sign to passersby that yours is a Christian household and
Christ is your light.
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"Halloween is the time to rejoice
in God's glory displayed in His saints but we have allowed it to become
focused upon witches and devils. I welcome this initiative to recapture
it for Christ."
The Right Rev. Dom Ambrose Griffiths OSB, Bishop of Hexham & Newcastle
"I firmly endorse this very important initiative, which I am
sure will improve the spiritual health of the nation and advance the
Kingdom of Jesus Christ."
An Official Exorcist of the Roman Catholic Church in Britain
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