Halloween costumes usually depict scary creatures, superheroes, and other iconic characters.

However, the wearing of scary costumes and other gory characters has never been part of the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church.

Instead, parishes of the Archdiocese of Jaro in Iloilo City encourage parishioners to wear the habiliments of saints.

For example, at least 50 children and other young people of San Jose Obrero Parish who participated in the "Parade of Saints" in Barangay South Fundidor, Molo, Iloilo City donned the habiliments of saints.

Participants of the Parade of Saints on October 26, 2025 put on saintly outfit paired with props.

The parish started the Parade of Saints in 2024.

Giselle Donna Tacaisan, 18 years old, joined the parade for the second time. She donned the vestment of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

“Sini-search ko rin kung minsan kung ano ang nangyari sa kanila noon. Mother siya ng people. Makaka-relate ako sa kanya as a woman,” Giselle said.

The mother of another participant took inspiration from the brown Franciscan habit of Saint Anthony de Padua, patron saint of the "poor, sailors, travelers, the oppressed, and those seeking a good spouse." The saint is widely invoked for help in finding lost items.

Joylyn Gonzales, the mother, said that that was the first time her son joined the parade, so she made sure she pours her effort on it.

”Sa simbahan ito kaya gusto ko na makasali siya upang kapag lumaki siya, magiging mabait rin siya. Bumili ako, tapos ang damit niya hinanap ko sa ukay-ukay,” Joylyn said.

Further, at least 109 youngsters joined the Parade of Saints of the Parroquia Católica ni San Juan Bautista in Banate town, Province of Iloilo.

The activity dubbed “Marcha de los Santos” started in 2015. The participants attended a Holy Mass right after the parade and performed a dance offering.

According to the head exorcist of the Archdiocese of Jaro, it is the objective of the Parade of Saints to introduce to children the holy lives of the saints that are worthy of emulation.

Rev. Fr. Lester Villa, parish priest of San Jose Obrero Church, and exorcist of the Archdiocese of Jaro, pointed out that the wearing of horror costumes is a way of inviting malevolent spirits.

He pointed out that hallow in "Halloween" stands for holiness. He shares in the hope that the hallow in Halloween must win.

"In wearing the image and costumes of saints, it is also imitating their lives. Merong malalim na katekesis ng pagkabanal. Isa diyan ang pagpasali sa kanila sa mga ganitong aktibidad ng Simbahan. Ang iba tinatawag itong hallow wins. Kasi sa totoo lang, hallow means holy,” Villa said.

In the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, the Solemnity of All Saints is celebrated on November 1, 2025 which "honors both the known and unknown saints in heaven."