Days of the Dead, Mexican tradition and mine as well
I have celebrated the day of the dead for going on 33 years,
well before it became popular to do so in the US. I always had a strong
devotion to “the dead” and I pray for them often, daily during the month of November
and ask for their prayers as well. I also visit cemeteries frequently and pray
as I walk through them …
the days of the dead in Mexican tradition are days to honor your dead and on the days of dead the “dead visit you”… really cool … you make an altar at home for them (using their photo) place flowers and their favorite food on the table as well.. to show you remember them and what they liked ... of course some strict Christians will think this is witchcraft (they always do if you do not agree with them or think the way they do)... but this is what the Church does as well (of course they take your money to remember your dead at Mass, heaven forbid they do anything for free!) ... many Churches also "sell you candles" to burn for your dead during the month of Nov and these same churches will place photos of your dead relatives around the altar (like the days of the dead in Mexico do) ... so what you are doing at home to honor your dead is what the Church does inside their building, only at home it is free and more intimidate, which I am sure your deceased relatives would like more.
Some families on the "days of the dead" visit their deceased relatives at the cemetery where they are buried and they will have a "picnic" at the grave site... Other than the Native american Indians (who honor their dead) I know of no other culture that does such. It is sad many young people do not know their heritage, their culture, could care less about their relatives (who are living) never mind deceased... yet let theses same people read something online about a foreigner or an immigrant thousands of miles away and they go out and protest ... all while they could care less about the person next to them or the their own relatives who are seniors or struggling ... I call BS on each and every one of them ...
the days of the dead in Mexican tradition are days to honor your dead and on the days of dead the “dead visit you”… really cool … you make an altar at home for them (using their photo) place flowers and their favorite food on the table as well.. to show you remember them and what they liked ... of course some strict Christians will think this is witchcraft (they always do if you do not agree with them or think the way they do)... but this is what the Church does as well (of course they take your money to remember your dead at Mass, heaven forbid they do anything for free!) ... many Churches also "sell you candles" to burn for your dead during the month of Nov and these same churches will place photos of your dead relatives around the altar (like the days of the dead in Mexico do) ... so what you are doing at home to honor your dead is what the Church does inside their building, only at home it is free and more intimidate, which I am sure your deceased relatives would like more.
Some families on the "days of the dead" visit their deceased relatives at the cemetery where they are buried and they will have a "picnic" at the grave site... Other than the Native american Indians (who honor their dead) I know of no other culture that does such. It is sad many young people do not know their heritage, their culture, could care less about their relatives (who are living) never mind deceased... yet let theses same people read something online about a foreigner or an immigrant thousands of miles away and they go out and protest ... all while they could care less about the person next to them or the their own relatives who are seniors or struggling ... I call BS on each and every one of them ...
baking bread for the dead on these days … also a Mexican tradition … I just love this
tradition and I wish more people across all cultures would remember their dead
and celebrate them … like they do in Mexico and other South American countries do …
The Days of
the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the
Central and South regions, and by people of Mexican heritage elsewhere. The
multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pray for and
remember friends and family members who have died, and helping support their
spiritual journey. In Mexican culture, death is viewed as a natural part of the
human cycle. Mexicans view it not as a day of sadness but as a day of
celebration because their loved ones awake and celebrate with them.
