27/10/2025
“Let us guide our children to dress as saints, not as demons; as angels, not as monsters.
Let their joy reflect the beauty of holiness, not the ugliness of sin.”
Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy
urging the faithful to shun horror themes during Undas
October 26, 2025
Guiding Our Children Toward the Beauty of Holiness
As the season of Undas (All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days) approaches, Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy offers a profound reflection for parents and the faithful: to nurture holiness in the hearts of children by guiding them toward light, purity, and faith rather than darkness, fear, and sin.
Reclaiming the True Spirit of Undas
Undas is traditionally a time of prayer, remembrance, and honoring the saints and souls of the departed. Yet in recent years, Westernized influences have often overshadowed its sacred meaning. Halloween celebrations filled with horror costumes and eerie decorations tend to shift attention away from the solemn and holy character of these days.
Archbishop Uy reminds families that this is not merely about what children wear but about what values we impart. When children dress as saints or angels, they are invited to imitate the virtues of courage, faith, and love. Such imagery uplifts their imagination and helps them see holiness as something joyful and attainable.
A Call to Reflect God’s Beauty
“Let their joy reflect the beauty of holiness, not the ugliness of sin.” This message captures the heart of Christian upbringing — to teach children that true happiness comes from goodness, kindness, and purity of heart. The external expression of costume and celebration should flow from an internal spirit of grace.
By dressing as saints, children not only honor God but also engage with inspiring stories of real heroes of faith — people who lived selflessly and stood firm in truth. These examples build character, strengthen moral conviction, and remind us that holiness is not distant but alive and relevant today.
Families as the First Schools of Faith
Archbishop Uy’s message serves as a pastoral invitation to parents to take an active role in shaping their children’s moral and spiritual imagination. Faith formation begins at home — in prayer, in conversation, and even in small cultural choices. Encouraging creative yet faith-centered expressions during Undas helps children experience joy without compromising values.
Conclusion
In a world that often glorifies the dark and the frightening, the call of Archbishop Alberto Uy shines as a gentle yet firm reminder: holiness is beautiful, and it is within reach. Let us choose to celebrate light over darkness, virtue over vice, and hope over fear. By guiding our children toward what is pure and good, we not only honor the saints but also help raise a new generation of faithful souls who reflect God’s love in all they do.
