Celebrating the Lives of Departed Loved Ones:
UIW Celebrates Día de los Muertos
This weekend, the Catholic community will observe All Saints’ Day on Saturday, Nov. 1 and All Souls’ Day on Sunday, Nov. 2. These sacred days are dedicated to honoring all the saints present in the Catholic faith and the souls of departed loved ones who have entered eternal rest. For many, these days allow people to grow stronger in their faith, process the complexity of loss and recognize the sacred gift of life.
Similarly, on the same dates, Mexican and Latino communities honor the lives of deceased loved during the celebration of Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead. During this sacred holiday, people both celebrate the lives that have been lived and believe that the souls of the deceased will return to the land of the living to visit.
On Wednesday, Oct. 29, Associate Vice President for Mission & Ministry and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Dr. Arturo Chavez alongside his students gave a presentation on Día de los Muertos in the J. E. and L. E. Mabee Library auditorium. Community members gathered to learn about the holiday’s history, meaning and traditions.
Guests learned about the special ofrendas, or altars, that are created during this time in honor of those who have passed. Chavez noted that many ofrendas are decorated with vibrant colors, framed pictures of loved ones, and often include food and items that are left as offerings. Additionally, brightly colored marigold flowers, or cempasúchil, are placed on and around the ofrendas to help lead the spirits to the offerings.
Although the holiday’s common depiction of skulls and skeletal imagery may be shocking to some, Chavez emphasized how the bones of people remind us of our mortality and the importance of living our lives with intention.
“Death is certain, that's something we can bet on, but the time of it is uncertain,” noted Chavez. “Uncertainty can be a gift, in that we don't know. So, let's live each day the best way that we can. We only have a short while here. This holiday reminds us to ponder that death is coming, so what are you doing with your life? What are you doing with the time that you have?”
The presentation was followed by a prayer service specially created by Chavez’s students in honor of the holiday.
“Día de los Muertos is a bittersweet celebration of our loved ones who have died. We gather to honor them, remembering the many ways they shared their love with us. Even as we grieve about the loss of their earthly presence, we believe that their lives and the love they shared with us live on. We are comforted by the words of Jesus: Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be (Jn. 14:1-3),” prayed the students.
A procession was held at the end of the presentation, inviting attendees to place photos of their loved ones and flameless candles on an ofrenda displayed in the lobby of the library. One by one, pictures and candles were laid upon the ofrenda as people shared stories and prayed as a community.
UIW’s Mission and Ministry set up an ofrenda in front of Our Lady’s Chapel in honor of Día de los Muertos. Community members were invited to add photos of their loved ones, joining Mission and Ministry in remembering departed faculty, staff, Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, and others.
“In the Catholic Church, the month of November is considered a month of remembrance, where we remember and pray in a special way for all who have died,” shared Carmen Aguilera, Liturgy and Music assistant. “As Catholics, we believe that this is not the only life we live, but the precursor to eternal life with God. Throughout the world, there are many practices and traditions that point us to the hope of the resurrection. Here in South Texas, the most common practice happens around the end of October in preparation for Día de los Muertos (All Soul’s Day). We set up an ofrenda or altarcito with food, calaveras (skulls), flowers and pictures of the saints and our loved ones who have died. This practice is a beautiful tradition that points to God’s promise of eternal life.”