New Catholic “Halloween” Book by Best-Selling Author Reveals True Meaning

All Hallows’ Eve by Anthony DeStefano. Sophia Institute Press (Manchester, NH, 2025). 48 pp., hardcover, $17.95; paperback, $14.99; eBook, $9.99.

When I was growing up, Halloween was mostly about costumes and candy (and not necessarily in that order!) Thankfully, when I was a teenager I belonged to a wonderful youth group and we began the custom of dressing up like saints. The years when I dressed up like Mother Teresa, St. Therese, and St. Kateri Tekakwitha remain happily etched in my memory.

Bestselling author Anthony DeStefano has just released a powerful new book All Hallows’ Eve for children to awaken them to the true meaning of Halloween, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day.

DeStefano’s read aloud of the story may be viewed here.

Prepare yourself for a great adventure. Children will journey with a group of friends on Halloween night to a cemetery where they will encounter Hulga May, a mysterious woman who sweeps and prays there each year. Through amazing storytelling and vibrant illustrations, they will discover the authentic meaning of the Communion of Saints.

Alex Resch, who writes for CatholicMom.com and is managing editor of amazingcatechists.com, reviewed, “All Hallows’ Eve by Anthony DeStefano exceeded my expectations for a Catholic Halloween book. We have already read it multiple times in our home. I suspect that the book is geared for ages 10 and up (that’s the age of one of the characters in the graveyard), but I think younger children would enjoy it too and it would not be too scary or frightening at all (especially compared to the truly evil and ghoulish secular Halloween books that they may have seen!). This book is great for kids who have never heard the concept of Purgatory, and also wonderful for kids who are familiar with these truths.”

Using suspense and surprise, All Hallows’ Eve seeks to equip parents, teachers, and parishes with the spiritual truth of Halloween’s Catholic roots.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York shared, “Anthony DeStefano’s All Hallows’ Eve is a timely reminder of what … Halloween is really all about: praying for the souls in Purgatory … Easy to understand and enjoy, it packs a powerful message, perfect for kids!”

DeStefano’s tale highlights the importance of acts of charity, prayers for the holy souls, and the communion of saints to which we are called.

“For too long, Christians have allowed the secular culture to dominate what is essentially a deeply religious holiday,” explained DeStefano. “With this story, I reclaim Halloween by placing its emphasis not on evil spirits, monsters, and pagan and occult practices, but where it belongs—on the countless souls who have died in God’s grace and long for deliverance into the Heavenly realms.”

Members of the media may send an email to Sophia Institute Press’ Director of Publicity, Samantha Hughes at shughes@SophiaInstitute.com to receive a physical or digital copy of All Hallows’ Eve, and/or to schedule an interview with Anthony DeStefano.