Day of the Dead celebrations

By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press

SHREWSBURY – Day of the Dead celebrations were held at St. Anne Church and its cemetery on Halloween, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day – Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and Nov. 2.
The Mexican custom, that people from some other countries also observe, includes Masses in cemeteries and decorating of graves of loved ones, or altars in their memory, said Father Andres A. Araque, St. Anne’s administrator.
He said he worked with Father Hugo Cano, diocesan director of Hispanic/Latino Ministry, to hold this event for Hispanics from around the diocese, and offered to use St. Anne’s since its cemetery is right outside the church. Members of Hispanic communities from several parishes came, as well as non-Hispanics, including some St. Anne’s parishioners, Father Araque said.
On one of the altars at the edge of St. Anne Cemetery, he pointed out pictures and representations of the deceased – his family members, parishioners’ family members, and priests of the diocese. One was Father Bernard E. Gilgun, who used to celebrate Masses at St. Anne’s and is buried in its cemetery.
Also on that altar was an image of angel wings, which Father Araque said a fledgling parish pro-life group wanted displayed to commemorate children who died by abortion or some other means.
Picking up a mirror off the altar he commented, “This is to say that we die too.”
Guillermina Dominguez, of St. Peter Parish in Worcester, also had an altar at St. Anne Cemetery. She said it was to give an offering to God and to honor her deceased loved ones.
Oct. 31 was “for the babies,” she said. “When I child dies we put (out) candies and fruit and chocolate … and atole, like chocolate, but different flavors.”
Nov. 1 is to remember adults who died; “we put food they like,” she said. “They see the food.” Later, the living people eat it.
Father Araque said the belief is that God allows the dead to come close to the living at this time; “we invite our ancestors … to be part of this celebration.”
On Nov. 1, All Saints’ Day, people ask the saints to pray for the deceased, he said.
As he prepared to start the outdoor Mass in Spanish and English that night, he said those gathered were there to celebrate the Mexican culture, but that people from other countries came too. He mentioned Latin America, Brazil, Africa, and the Philippines, and called it “a multicultural celebration … a celebration of faith … love, a celebration of all the saints.”
“We are called to holiness,” he said in his homily. “We are going to face many temptations, from the small ones (like breaking your diet), … to the big ones,” (like cheating on your spouse). “Today we celebrate we are not alone to face temptation” – the saints are with us. He then pointed out children dressed as saints: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II.
Preaching on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2 – inside the church, after a frigid outdoor Mass the night before – Father Araque said that the Gospel about many mansions proclaimed that Heaven has room for everybody.
In Puerto Rico, members of different parishes all go to one cemetery for All Soul’s Day Mass on Nov. 2, said Andres Rivera, who hails from there and is now a member of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Worcester. People put candles and flowers on the tombs, but don’t use food or altars, he said.
He said Hispanic communities at different parishes in the Worcester Diocese have held their own Day of the Dead celebrations, but this year Father Araque invited them all to St. Anne’s.
“All people – American and Spanish – enjoy that tradition, because you die when nobody remembers you,” he said. “That’s why we remember” deceased family members.

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