Hispanic tradition: Celebrating the Day of the Dead

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
October 27, 2005

As part of this faith tradition, the Catholic Church celebrates All Souls Day on Nov. 2.

For most Catholics in the United States, some may go to Mass that day, but generally that is about the extent of the celebration.

Juan Garcia, assistant for Hispanic Ministry in the diocese, pointed out that Nov. 2 is a much more significant day for Mexicans. They refer to All Souls Day as El Dia de los Muertos, which translates to Day of the Dead.

"This is part of the Mexican tradition. For the people, this tradition is a devotion," he said.

While this celebration is now part of Catholic tradition for Hispanics, he explained that it dates back to the early Indians and Mayans - prior to Christianity in the land that now is Mexico.

"The Indians had a big reverence of the dead," said Garcia. "Every culture has respect for the dead, only we have different ways to celebrate.

Some of the present day Hispanic traditions associated with the special day include visiting the cemetery, decorating the graves and creating altar-like displays at home featuring photos and treasured items of the loved ones who have died.

Father Ed Girres, a member of the pastoral team that ministers to the Webster County Team Parishes, pointed out that they will have a special celebration following a traditional Mass to mark the Day of the Dead. The priest will celebrate the 7 p.m. Mass in Spanish on Nov. 2 at Sacred Heart Church. A potluck will follow. At Corpus Christi they had a special Mass a few years ago, but opted to make it a cluster-wide celebration.

At the Mass, Father Girres will have a couple of people share information about this special tradition. This will be done in English so the Anglo parishioners can get a grasp of the significance of the celebration.

He pointed out that all parishioners of the team parishes are invited to take part in this Hispanic tradition.

"Part of their tradition is going to the cemeteries, and they will even eat the favorite foods of those who died at the cemeteries, but they don't have people who are buried here," noted Father Girres. "So we are asking them to bring pictures of their loved ones that have died."

He explained that some may bring pictures of skeletons - to laugh at death. While there can be a sadness with remembering the loss of their loved ones, it is meant to be a celebration.

"This helps to realize that death is not the last word," said Father Girres.

It's the concept that their loved ones are in a better place.

"We are not celebrating the death part, we are celebrating the better life that they have with God," said Garcia.

To tie into the fact that these loved ones live on, oftentimes people leave food at the graveyard.

He pointed out that while this is a big celebration in Mexico, some who live in the United States are losing that tradition.

"They may celebrate Halloween with pumpkins," he said. Like many living in this country, it becomes more a secular celebration rather than spiritual one.

With that in mind, there will be a short presentation at the next Hispanic youth group meeting at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. The youth will learn about the Day of the Dead and how that tradition is celebrated in Mexico. This may help get that tradition alive here.