Columban lay missionary Gertrude C. Samson's reflection on Halloween, bats, and migration highlights the power of empathy in a world that often misunderstands or misrepresents what it fears. Her piece navigates the lighter aspects of Halloween celebrations to profound meditations on human attitudes towards nature and diversity.
Celebrating All Saints Day in both serious and funny ways. Photo: Gertrudes C. Samson
Samson begins by explaining that Halloween (31st October) is derived from an Old English Term meaning Hallow’s Eve or Holy Eve for “All Saints Day” which is celebrated on the 1st of November each year. She states that Hallows' Eve was historically connected to All Saints' Day on November 1st, a celebration of the saints and, more broadly, all believers in Christ. As she describes All Saints' Day celebrations in the Philippines, Samson's cultural insights reveal a more profound purpose behind Halloween.
Unlike the playful "trick-or-treat" traditions in the UK, the Filipino approach reflects a deep respect for the dead. Families visit graves, light candles, and recall happy memories of their loved ones. In her own family, candles at the front door on this night symbolized remembrance and guidance for departed souls. This powerful custom symbolizes the connection between the living and the dead, capturing the sense of communal continuity that traditions like All Saints' Day can offer.
However, Samson's article soon shifts from customs to cultural symbols, this time the association of bats with Halloween. She expressed her long-standing aversion to bats due to their terrifying role in horror films, which often linked them to vampires and danger. This fear, fuelled by cinematic portrayal, had lingered until she attended a Bat Walk event organized by the Columbans in Solihull.
The Bat Walk began with a lecture that addressed common myths about bats. The presenter explained how bats avoid humans and contribute to environmental health by pollinating plants, dispersing seeds, and controlling pests.
Samson soon found her thinking being reshaped by this event. No longer were bats, the ominous flying animals, out to bite her and drink her blood; instead, God designed these remarkable creatures to sustain natural ecological processes. She realized that her fears were essentially a product of misconceptions, not the reality of these beneficial creatures.
This realization deepened as she reflected on a personal story where her family had been called the "Bayakan" or "fruit bat" family, a nickname Samson initially resented as it was derived from the fruit bats that frequented her grandfather's garden as his abundant fruit trees drew them. Neighbours would climb the trees to enjoy the bounty, with Samson's grandfather welcoming human and bat visitors without complaint. Initially, she wished the bats had not come, thinking they brought a negative reputation. However, in hindsight, she saw that the bats played a crucial role in her grandfather's success: they pollinated the trees, enriched the soil, and kept pests at bay. Her grandfather's quiet tolerance of bats and neighbours reflected a broader respect for life and the ecosystem. The bats, once misunderstood, were essential partners in his garden's thriving abundance.
Through this lens, Samson began to see bats not as intruders but as vital contributors, integral to the garden and the community. From this renewed respect for bats, Samson drew parallels to human prejudices, mainly the hostile backlash faced by migrants in the UK.
Migration has become contentious in recent years, with waves of misinformation and fear-inducing attitudes toward newcomers. Samson recounts an experience where three boys shouted, "Go back, leave the UK," which disheartened her. The experience mirrored the prejudice she had once held against bats, who, like migrants, face stigma despite their positive contributions.
Just as bats play a vital role in ecological balance, migrants strengthen communities economically and culturally. Samson references data showing that migrants contribute around £83 billion to the UK's economy, filling skill shortages and enhancing fields like healthcare and finance. Their presence enriches society, yet this reality is often overlooked in favour of divisive myths.
Samson's reflection reminds us that misconceptions—whether about animals or people—can prevent us from appreciating the full value of diversity. Her empathy for bats, once viewed with fear and suspicion, parallels her empathy for migrants who encounter prejudice despite their contributions.
Thank God for Immigrants posters appeared in several parts of Birmingham. Photo: x.com/KingsHeathUnity
In seeing bats as God's creatures, designed to play a crucial ecological role, Samson invites us to our own biases toward others. This shift in perspective calls for a broader, more compassionate understanding of those who may be different or those who challenge us to look beyond stereotypes and prejudices. Ultimately, Samson's journey reveals how empathy, patience, and a willingness to understand others can bridge the gaps that myths and biases create.
Halloween's playful fright and intrigue are an entry point to this article, but Samson reflects on how myths can lead us astray, both in nature and society. Her story of overcoming fears and embracing both bats and migrants is essential as it helps us to see all beings with curiosity and respect in the interwoven tapestry of life. By extending empathy, we honour the diversity of God's creation and enrich our lives through deeper connections and shared understanding.
Gertrudes C. Samson.
Related links
- Original Article - Happy Hallow Eve - A Reflection from Bats and Mission Life (pdf)
