An altar in observance of Day of the Dead is seen Friday, November 2, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in San Benito. (Staff photo by Michael Rodriguez)
By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
Dia de los Muertos, which translates into Day of the Dead, is an organized observance of a concept which is said to have originated in Mexico 4,000 years ago to honor the souls of those who have died and gone on to the afterworld. The same day, November 2, is also referred to as All Souls’ Day.
Rather than a fear of death, the purpose behind this observance is to celebrate death by considering it a continuance of life, or just another part of the human existence. Though some components of the festival are somewhat Christianized, the festival largely remains true to its indigenous Native American roots.
According to a group dedicated to preserving the tradition, Dia de los Muertos San Francisco, “Across Mexico, activities associated with Day of the Dead are fairly consistent from place to place. On the first day, families visit the graves of their relatives. During this time, they decorate the gravesite with flowers, earth, and candles.”
In San Benito, where an altar has been set up at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Dia de los Muertos is just as critically important a tradition. Originally hailing from Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico, Father Ignacio (Nacho) Luna was happy to show reporters from the San Benito News around his church, namely the display set up specifically in homage of those saints no longer among the living.
Father Luna explained, “This is the altar to remember the souls of our beloved ones.” He further expressed that there is a purpose for everything which has been laid upon the altar. He began by saying, “This is tradition from Mexico. I celebrate because I am from Mexico. I want to remember our tradition.”
A butterfly garland floating atop the altar signifies children’s souls, or as Father Luna said, “Las maripositas are for the babies.”
Many candles have been placed on the altar to signify the light of Christ. As Father Luna said, “The candles help us to go toward His (Christ’s) Father. The pictures remind us of our beloved ones who are in God’s hands.” He also explained that members of the congregation and community are free to bring in their personal photographs, as seen on display.
There are baskets of fruit and loaves of bread, not to mention scattered cups that adorn the altar. Father Luna explained, “[Some people] think that souls come to eat. They put out food [the deceased] liked to eat in life.” Additionally, small skulls are supposed to represent the notion that everyone will eventually die. Father Luna said, “We need to be prepared to meet God.”
Even though he has been in the Rio Grande Valley for the past 28 years, in San Benito for the past 14, he said, “The idea is the same every year, but the altar changes.”
Another facet to the observance of Dia de los Muertos includes holding a picnic at gravesides where individuals can “interact socially among themselves and with other families and community members who are all gathered at the cemetery,” according to Dia de los Muertos historians.
People who gather in remembrance of loved ones, or as Father Luna calls them “beloved ones,” are not only celebrating their ancestors on this day, they are also choosing to remember the role their descendants played in a establishing a community.
Read this story in the Nov. 4 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
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