Happy All Hallows Eve! The final day of October is known by its secular name, Halloween, but it has deep roots that date back to the early Church and as a sacred time to remember the dead, pray for the souls in purgatory, and to reflect on one’s own call to holiness.
This was the message Bishop Frank J. Dewane offered during his Oct. 31, 2025, Relevant Radio show “Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane.” Bishop Dewane went on to note that All Hallows Eve, All Saint’s Day (Nov. 1), and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2), form a powerful trio in the life of the Church and the faithful.
The Bishop explained how St. Pope Gregory III established the modern-day All Saints Day early in the 8th century and stressed the need to begin the vigil for the solemnity the day before, thus creating All Hallows Eve.
“Many modern customs have ancient twists, such as in the early days of the Church, people dressed as saints and devils,” Bishop Dewane explained. “Don’t misunderstand me, the devils were not to glorify evil, but rather to dramatize Christ’s victory over evil.”
Even trick-or-treating came from “souling” when children would go to homes to offer prayers for the dead in exchange for “soul cakes,” the Bishop said.
“This reminds us Christ truly is the light in darkness,” the Bishop said. “Over time, it became more playful and more secularized and, of course, commercialized. All Catholics are invited to remember and do their best to reclaim the deeper meaning these special days have for us. Halloween doesn’t belong to the world, it began with the Church.”
Joining Bishop Dewane on the radio show was Father Leland Thorpe, OMV, Assistant Director of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center in Venice.
Father Thorpe explained that this year, because the Solemnity of All Saints falls on a Saturday, it is not a Holy Day of Obligation. Even so, he suggested everyone should try to go to Mass.
Praying to the saints, particularly on All Saints Day, dates to the early days of the Church. Before it was widely recognized, Christians prayed to the early saints and martyrs by visiting their tombs. It was in the 800s when All Saints Day was created. The timing, Father Thorpe said, coincides with the waning days of the Liturgical Year, a time when it is darker for longer, the seasons are changing, mirroring the end of time.
“Saints are sinners who have received God’s mercy,” Father Thorpe said. “They are our brothers and sisters, but they are also God’s masterpieces.”
Saints are noted for opening themselves to God’s love and mercy, and by allowing God to work freely within them and through them and they became transformed more perfectly into what Christ was like, Father said. “They show us what the Gospel looks like in any walk of life.”
Bishop Dewane said the honoring of the saints should remind us that sainthood is open to everyone, made available at our baptism and awaits our response to the Lord’s call.
“Saints are men and women who are reconciled with themselves, with others, and with God,” Bishop Dewane said. “They are really able to shine the light of God’s mercy and love within the world, living through the ebb and flow of everyday life, with their families, at work, or during their free time. They know to live like Jesus and to trust in Him.”
All Souls’ Days – Month of All Souls
All Souls Day (Nov. 2), combined with November being dedicated to the Month of All Souls, are also important for the faithful to consider.
Father Thorpe explained how the concept of souls waiting to get into heaven – purgatory – is a necessary step for the faithful to ultimately enjoy being in the presence of God.
“We need to be transformed and made holy as He is holy – radically purified through and through,” Father said. “We believe that before entrance into heaven there is a last step of purification, a transformation that prepares the heart in order to enjoy God’s glory in heaven; this we call purgatory.”
Through the invitation offered with All Souls’ Day, and for all of the month of November, Father Thorpe said we are called to pray for the souls in purgatory, to offer sacrifices, and other pious practices. “We do this in order to assist them in being purified on their way to heaven.”
A plenary indulgence is offered in the first eight days of November if one devoutly visits a cemetery, or to pray, even in your own heart, for the departed. The additional requirements remain the same, which is praying for Pope’s intention, going to confession, receiving Holy Communion, and full detachment from sin.
“Witnessing Faith with Bishop Dewane” can be heard on Relevant Radio on 1410 AM and 106.7 FM in Fort Myers and 1660 AM and 93.3 FM in Naples at 8:30 a.m. on the last Friday of every month (Oct. 31), or anytime at https://dioceseofvenice.org/our-bishop/.
Father Dombrowski was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1947 and made his first profession with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales in 1979. He was ordained to the priesthood May 5, 1983, and first served as a teacher in Wilmington, Delaware, then as campus minister at Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales in Pennsylvania. He later served as a U.S. Navy Chaplain, including during Operation Desert Storm, before arriving at St. Cecilia Parish in Fort Myers in 1998.
The faithful are being asked to support, encourage and educate future priests through the Venice Diocesan Council of Catholic Women Seminarian Fund. The Diocese is currently educating 16 men at various seminaries, and a donation of any amount would be a great help. The way the VDCCW supports seminarians is through celebrating Priesthood Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. To do this in a special and lasting way, the VDCCW will facilitate sending an “IN HONOR OF” card to your Parish Priest. This is a gift that keeps on giving as all proceeds support the VDCCW Seminarian Fund (The donation amount will not be revealed to the recipient). To take part, please send the name of the priest you would like to honor, along with your donation, made out to VDCCW Seminarian Fund (plus $1 to cover postage and printing) to: Cornelia Zanetti, Seminarian Fund Guardian, 5808 Gulf Drive, #204, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane invites all Catholic married couples to join him at the Diocese’s fifth annual Marriage Enrichment Conference from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Our Lady of Light Parish, 19680 Cypress View Drive, Fort Myers. Engaged couples are also welcome! The Marriage Conference, “Family, A School of Love,” presents a unique opportunity to share a day dedicated to prayer, conversation, and reflection on the sacred vocation of marriage together with your spouse. Grow together in holiness and receive guidance and tips for how to strengthen your marriage and form your children in the Catholic faith. Early bird registration is $64 for couples before Sept. 15. Childcare is available. This event will sell out, so register early! To learn more, and to register, visit 
Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, Inc., welcomes volunteers who wish to become involved with any of their programs, services or ministries. The most urgent need for volunteers is at the Sarasota office, 5055 N. Tamiami Trail, which offers disaster response, housing and support services, anti-human trafficking, immigration assistance, and much more. Catholic Charities strives to eliminate food insecurity, homelessness and to offer essential mental health services to everyone seeking assistance – regardless of race or religion. To sign up as a volunteer, please visit 
On the gridiron, the Bishop Verot Catholic High School football team opened their season at home on Aug. 15 against St. John Neumann. Bishop Verot won 38-7.
These scenes were repeated at each of the 15 Diocesan Catholic schools. The high schools had less tears and more fun as those students settled into their year. At each Diocesan Catholic high school – Bishop Verot in Fort Myers, Cardinal Mooney in Sarasota, St. John Neumann in Naples and Donahue Academy of Ave Maria Catholic School in Ave Maria – there were special “Senior Sunrise” welcomes for the graduating class of 2026. These gatherings take place on the respective football fields and are traditions at each of the schools, and include breakfast, a class photo and some fun for everyone – and yes, it is at sunrise!.
