Jack-o'-Lantern Craft: Praying for the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Jack-o'-Lantern Craft: Praying for the Poor Souls in Purgatory

During the month of October, I am so glad that I am Catholic. I live in the Bible Belt in a small town in Georgia and October 31 always gets a bad wrap here. You do not see too many decorated yards or trick-or-treaters. Rarely do you see the blood and gore and all things scary that are associated with this holiday. While I enjoy taking my boys to a huge church festival on Halloween instead of trudging from house to house in search of treats, I don’t like that most Christian denominations think that Halloween is an evil day.

Halloween is the day before All Saints Day and only two days before All Souls Day. This month’s craft can be used for either Halloween or All Souls Day because it celebrates our part in getting poor lost souls into Heaven.

Items needed:

Orange cup
Black construction paper
Pipe Cleaner
Glue
Hole punch
Small pieces of candy
Scissors
“Legend of the Jack-o'-Lantern” poem - click to download

First, print out and read the “Legend of the Jack-o'-Lantern” poem then create this simple craft with your children. After the cup is complete, encourage your children to do good deeds and to pray for those in purgatory. Every time your child does one of these things, place a small piece of candy inside the cup. This is an age-appropriate way to discuss sin and purgatory with younger children.

Cut out small pieces of black construction paper in the shapes of triangles and a mouth. Glue them to the cup to create a Jack-O-Lantern face. Punch holes in each side of the cup and string a pipe cleaner into the holes, creating a handle. Secure the pipe cleaner by wrapping it through the hole, over the rim of the cup and then around itself.

Discuss the poem and the concept of purgatory with your child and pray for the souls in purgatory. Place a piece of candy inside the cup to represent the good deeds.

Copyright 2012 Alicia Hart