• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
A woman takes a nap near the grave of a relative at a cemetery in the town of Santa Maria Atzompa in the Mexican state of Oaxaca Nov. 1. Mexicans mark the Day of the Dead, Nov. 2, by paying homage to their dead relatives, through the decoration of their graves and the preparation of meals. (Jorge Luis Plata, Reuters/ CNS Photo)

‘Day of the Dead’ expresses faith

October 26, 2021
By Priscila González de Doran
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Feature, Hispanic Ministry, Local News, News

Whether they are in their country of origin or in the United States, many Hispanic families gather every year during the “Day of the Dead” (Día de los Muertos, Día de los Fieles Difuntos) or All Souls Day, celebrated Nov. 2, to remember their loved ones who have died and pray for the repose of their souls. Masses are celebrated in cemeteries for parishioners who visit and decorate the tombs of their departed loved ones. In their homes, families build altars adorned with Christian symbols. 

Many Anglo-American parishioners feel skeptical of the celebration when they see skulls and altars. Similarly, Catholic Hispanics tend to feel skeptical about Halloween because its direct translation in Spanish is “witches’ night,” whereas in English it is a contraction of All Hallows’ Eve – the vigil of All Saints Day, celebrated Nov. 1.

Although a secular aspect can be found in both celebrations, both have Christian roots that not only celebrate culture but also the Catholic faith. When the Spaniards arrived in Mexico and Central America, they found polytheistic pre-Hispanic civilizations that believed life ended in death. They evangelized the indigenous, teaching them that there is only one God; every person has an immortal soul; and their departed loved ones need prayers for their salvation (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 366).

“Prayers count, even for the dead, who are souls in the purgatory,” said Father Roger Brito, associate pastor of St. Clement I in Lansdowne and St. Philip Neri in Linthicum.

The priest has celebrated All Souls Mass for six years in different cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He noted that the traditional celebration of Día de los Muertos is a colonial ­Latin-American tradition that emerged from pre-Hispanic traditions evangelized by the Spaniards and adapted to the Catholic faith.

A traditional altar of Día de los Muertos in a Catholic household contains three levels, symbolizing the “church ­militant,” “church penitential” and “church triumphant”; pictures of family members who have died; and a cross made with marigold (cempasúchil) flowers, in which the cross symbolizes Christ’s death and resurrection.

Skulls on the altars during Día de los Muertos symbolize death. In Hispanic tradition, death is sacred.

Catholics are urged, however, not to associate respect for death with worship of death. In some Hispanic cultures, some have confused death with a deity and have called it “Santa Muerte” or “St. Death/Holy Death.” Vatican officials have repeatedly denounced devotion to “Santa Muerte,” a folk “saint” depicted as a skeletal figure holding a scythe, balance or globe, that emerged in pagan blending of figures from indigenous and Christian cultures.  “Death is a bridge of this life with the other one,” Father Brito said, “It connects the earthly with the divine.”

Email Priscila González de Doran at pdoran@CatholicReview.org

Also see

Compensating all claims of abuse: Archdiocese considers Chapter 11 reorganization

Perfect harmony: Music internship program helps parishes in Western Maryland

Archbishop Lori announces appointments, including three associate pastors

Radio Interview: Knowing and Loving the Angels

Gift of All Truth, a missionary outreach, will focus on youths

Blue Mass brings ‘comfort,’ acknowledgement to first responders throughout Archdiocese of Baltimore

Copyright © 2021 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Priscila González de Doran

A native of Mexico, Priscila González de Doran is a former staff writer for the Catholic Review. She now serves as a freelance contributor and is a parishioner of Our Lady of the Fields in Millersville

She earned associate degrees in business administration and information systems, and social and behavioral studies, from Riverside City College in California. She has a certificate in campus ministry from the Dominican Institute in Oakland.

Priscila has collaborated with El Sembrador Nueva Evangelización, Periódico de la Red, Pascua Juvenil and Newman Centers.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Three more pro-life activists convicted on federal charges for blockade at abortion clinic
  • Archbishop Lori announces appointments, including three associate pastors
  • Compensating all claims of abuse: Archdiocese considers Chapter 11 reorganization
  • Kicking up fun: Kickball tournament brings young adults together
  • Blue Mass brings ‘comfort,’ acknowledgement to first responders throughout Archdiocese of Baltimore

| Latest Local News |

Compensating all claims of abuse: Archdiocese considers Chapter 11 reorganization

Perfect harmony: Music internship program helps parishes in Western Maryland

Archbishop Lori announces appointments, including three associate pastors

| Latest World News |

Bishop Strickland will not resign, but says he will respect Pope Francis’ authority if removed

‘What’s going to happen?’: DACA ruling keeps ‘Dreamers’ in immigration limbo

Vatican asks U.N. Security Council to join efforts for peace in Ukraine

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Bishop Strickland will not resign, but says he will respect Pope Francis’ authority if removed
  • ‘¿Qué va a pasar?’: El fallo sobre DACA mantiene a los ‘Dreamers’ en el limbo legal
  • ‘What’s going to happen?’: DACA ruling keeps ‘Dreamers’ in immigration limbo
  • Vatican asks U.N. Security Council to join efforts for peace in Ukraine
  • Former Soviet political prisoners urge Jewish and Ukrainian unity amid WWII memorial row
  • Russia’s goal is to destroy population in Ukraine, Lviv bishop says after drone attack
  • Catholic high school teacher fired for covering up previous employment, sex services charges
  • New stage for U.S. seminarians focuses on human and spiritual formation
  • Videogame Review: ‘Under the Waves’

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2023 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED