A Catholic priest on Thursday blamed the rising popularity of Halloween parties for the youth forgetting why people commemorate All Saints and All Souls Day.

Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said because of Halloween parties, the youth often forget to pray for the saints and the dead during All Saints and All Souls Day.

“Sometimes they are already tired from attending a Halloween party the whole day that come November 1 and 2, the days when they are supposed to be praying, they are at home resting or sleeping,” he said over Church-run Radio Veritas 846 yesterday.

“I hope they won’t forget the real intention behind the observance --s to pray for the saints and the dead,” said Lagdameo.

The Jaro prelate issued the reminder to the youth and the faithful as Filipinos start flocking to different cemeteries to visit their departed loved ones.

Lagdameo said it’s the obligation of every Catholic faithful to pray for the dead, saying a time will come that they’ll be the ones who will be in need of prayer.

“Time will come that it is going to be us who will be prayed for by the living,” he said.

He urged those who won’t be able to visit the tombs of their dead because of old age or a serious sickness to just stay at home and pray.

“Those who are weak and sick should just stay at home and pray. But those who are still capable should go to the cemetery and pray,” Lagdameo said.