Pastor's Notes on Day Of The Dead

This was taken from a church bulletin, written by Father Agustin. This is such a beautiful description and explanation of what Day of the Dead festivities are all about and how it is celebrated during All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

 Pastor’s Notes: Day Of The Dead

    Every year, on November 1^st (All Saints Day) and 2^nd (All Souls Day), something unique takes place in many areas of Mexico: Day of the Dead festivities, “El dia de los muertos.” The indigenous peoples of Mexico who believed that the souls of the dead return each year to visit with their living relatives – to eat, drink and hve a good time. Just like they did when they were living.

    This is also a special day to go to the cemeteries which are always extremely crowded, the entire family is present at the graves to pray, sing and celebrate the lives of those who are ahead of us in their journey to the place of light. This is a day to celebrate with joy, fait and hope “They are watching us and they talk to us, like when they were with us.” We feel their presence and they let us know that everything is ok: they give us courage, then we are no longer afraid. We share great memories about the while we eat, and enjoy each other’s company. Our hearts rejoice and their presence becomes stronger among us. We buy them flowers “zempasuchil” (an Indian word for a special type of marigold), candles, we cook their favorites dishes, and we decorate their graves and our homes with a little altar where we place “our ofrenda” their pictures, food, and all their favorites items. We eat pan de muerto (a rich coffee decorated with meringues made to look like bones), baked only for this special day with café con leche; Skulls made out of sugar, (candy) which kids love to eat. All these traditions have a deep religious meaning (This celebration has nothing to do with Halloween) and are also an expression of a strong faith and belief in a continuation of life itself. The way we see and believe death is completely different from other cultures, and traditions. (the Nahua speaking peoples saw the skull as a symbol of life – not death). Today these beautiful symbols and other similar items fill the shops, houses, marketplaces and candy stalls by mid October. There is one famous calavera (lady skull) who you can find anywhere – “Catrina” – elegantly dressed with a nice feathered hat, a figure who has been used to play with and joke about. After dinner there is always time for a table game called “Loteria” where, if the only card you are missing is the skull, but as soon as the leader of the game shouts “La Calavera” (the skull) you win the game.

    On this day even the homeless on the streets take the opportunity to ask for money for their calavera (candy skull). Today we continue unveiling the beauty of death. God has blessed us with a new perception of a reality that we carry everyday in our soul. We shouldn’t be afraid because death keeps our spirits warm. Death gives us rest, eternal youth and immortality. Let’s be always ready and prepare when la calaca calls because like some one so special said to me one day “We just came to sleep and life is only borrowed.” Happy dia de los muertos! 

Fr. Agustin