All Saints' Day

Día de Muertos

(Marigold is the traditional flower to honor the dead)

The multi-day holiday (Oct. 31 - Nov.2) focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. In 2008 the tradition was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. -Wiki



Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars called ofrendas, honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. Visitors also leave possessions of the deceased at the graves.

It is a good example of the way indigenous holidays have been adapted and interpreted into Christianity.

Personally, I find it a great way to remember family and friends no matter which tradition we may come from. All Saints' Day, Día de Muertos, or whatever you want to call it- take time to remember your ancestors and friends who have died.

One side note from the Wikipedia article cited earlier:

The holiday is sometimes called Día de los Muertos in English-speaking countries, a back-translation of its original name, Día de Muertos.

Credits:

• Marigold by Lajuarezo - Template:Mi galeria, CC BY 3.0, Link
• Traditional Altar by Eneas de Troya (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eneas/4072192627/) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

All Saints' Day

All Saints' Day

A Week Late- But Never Out of Season

I know that last Sunday was All Saints Sunday. But it is always appropriate to remember the saints, known and unknown. Our handbells at church last week led off the All Saints celebration. Here is the video. Enjoy.

1. For all the saints, who from their labours rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

2. Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

11. From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Video of the Month for November

Video of the Month- Or At Least for Today

El Dia de los Muertos

All Saints' Day

November 1 - All Saints' Day

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

February, 2001