Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead (All Souls) is a beautiful celebration of life and a day when we in Mass to pray for the souls of our deceased loved ones.  Many cultures also honor the faithful departed with altars filled with symbols such as crosses, candles, flowers, pictures, favorite foods and drinks, and sugar skulls.  Additionally, many families visit the cemetery to clean and tidy up the graves of their loved ones and share a meal at their graveside.  However you celebrate this day within your families, it is a beautiful celebration rooted in the Catholic tradition of praying for our dead — spiritual works of mercy!

In our community, we are blessed with a wonderful tradition shared by our Mexican brothers and sisters, which is that of building altars to remember our departed loved ones.   The altars, which vary in style, can be two-level altars signifying heaven and earth, or three level altars representing heaven, purgatory, and earth.   These altars are adorned with crosses symbolizing Christ’s death and resurrection, remembering Christ’s death and resurrection, remembering that He is our King.  Candles placed on the altar light the path of the souls, and the aroma of flowers, known as Cempasuchitl flowers or flowers of the dead/marigolds, spread on the altar, guiding the spirit on their journey.   Other elements adorning the altars of our loved ones include favorite foods and drinks, traditional sugar skulls, which allude to death or represent a departed soul, and the circular shaped Pan de Muerto (bread of the dead) representing the cycle between life and death.  

Our Hispanic community will begin building altars on Thursday, October 30th, between 5 and 7 p.m.  You are welcome to bring a picture of your deceased loved ones to place on the community altar.  The altars will remain through the weekend of November 1st and 2nd.   Please bring copies of photos, not originals, as the parish will not be responsible for lost pictures.  Pick up your photos and items from the altars on Monday, November 3, 2025.