Tonight at Wednesday night out we will celebrate in the tradition of 'The Days of the Dead'. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead or the description below to learn more about this tradition.
Spend a few minutes reading about the tradition, then come celebrate with us tonight. Feel free to bring materials appropriate to the celebration - photographs, fruit, marigolds, pan de los muertos, sugar skulls, etc. See the notes at the end of this post for more details. See you tonight!
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
OFFERING FOR THE DAY OF THE DEAD
By Maria Hernandez
Translated (to the best of her ability) by Nancy A. Lynch
Quoted from the All Saints' Mailing List distribution of October 30, 2006
The offering for the Day of the Dead is one of the most famous Mexican traditions. It consists of arranging a table with:
-White Tablecloths (they may be of cloth or paper but only of crepe paper)
-Marigolds (or other yellow or orange flowers)
-Paraffin candles (not tallow)
-Glasses or jars of water and other drinks like ale and/or beer, pulque, etc.
-Fruit, the most traditional being oranges and bananas
-Bread, the most traditional being "pan de muerto"
-Pumpkins and squashes
-A meal. especially the favorite dishes of the deceased loved one and tamales
-Photographs and personal items that were loved by the deceased loved one
-Skulls made of sugar (some come with names on them)
In recent decades it has become customary to adorn above and on the sides of offering with Chinese tissue-paper, folded several times and cut so that when they are unfolded they form figures.
A candle is put beside the picture of each deceased person that one desires to remember or honor. It is believed that the light will guide them in case they loose their way and so they can arrive at the house where they were invited to come by way of the offerings. The photograph is to remember them and to let them know they are in our hearts.
The glass of water should not be forgotten because under this belief, there is only one day a year that God gives permission to the deceased to come and visit us and to quench their thirst with the drinks that we offer them. Also, it is only on these dates you are to bake the traditional "pan de muerto", although one can also obtain it in a lot of commercial establishements like stores or bakeries or street vendors.
In Mexico you can see everywhere the little skull confectionary made out of sugar and which may also be made out of pure chocolate. Each one has a name of a person written on it, and it is very easy to acquire one with the name of your deceased loved one in what ever size you want. Although these are not very popular or well-known yet in the United States, in Mexico
practically every corner in the country is inundated with them.
Also, it is customary to light artificial fires when the deceased are carried to be buried. It is believed by this means we are able to advise God that our loved one is on the road to Heaven.
The offering is set up for the day of November 1st because although November 2nd is the Day of the Dead in Mexico, the 1st is considered the day of the little ones or children that have passed away. The 2nd is the day for the adult loved ones who have passed.
NOTE: THIS YEAR WE ARE PLANNING OUR OWN VERSION OF THIS BEAUTIFUL TRADITION. WE WILL START OUT SLOWLY THIS YEAR BUT MAY MAKE IT MORE ELABORATE IN COMING YEARS. FOR THIS YEAR, WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO
SET UP YOUR OWN AREA IN YOUR HOUSE ON THE NIGHT OF HALLOWEEN. THEN ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST, BEGINNING AT 6:00, WE WILL HAVE A WEDNESDAY NIGHT OUT CELEBRATION OF THE DAY OF THE DEAD (COMBINING THE CHILDREN'S AND ADULTS' DAY OF THE DEAD).
PLEASE BRING ANY OF THE ITEMS LISTED ABOVE TO THE CHURCH BETWEEN 4:00 AND 6:00 (IF POSSIBLE), AND WE WILL HELP YOU SET UP. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PREPARE ONE OF THE LOVED ONE'S SPECIAL DISHES, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO BRING IT TO SHARE WITH YOUR LOVED ONE AND WITH OTHERS. (THE FRUIT, ALTHOUGH EDIBLE, SHOULD NOT BE EATEN AS IT IS FOR THE DECEASED, ACCORDING TO THIS TRADITION,) THE USUAL WEDNESDAY NIGHT OUT FARE ALSO WILL BE SERVED. WE WILL THEN HAVE A SHORT PEAK INTO THE CRYPT UNDER THE SANCTUARY FOLLOWED BY A BRIEF WALK TO THE GARDEN NEAR THE CHILDREN'S CHAPEL (WHERE MANY PARISHIONERS HAVE HAD THEIR ASHES STREWN) -- DESSERT WILL BE SERVED THERE. WE WILL THEN RETURN TO KINSOLVING TO LISTEN TO ANY SPECIAL WORDS AND STORIES ABOUT LOVED ONES BEING HONORED. PLEASE PLAN TO STAY FOR THE FULL EVENT. WE WILL END AT 8:00. CHILDREN ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
