“The celebration is an expression of Latin American culture and Catholic beliefs, which makes use of some familiar symbols to teach and celebrate the Church's teaching on the communion of saints.” Ofrendas, or altars, are traditionally used in Día de los Muertos celebrations to honor deceased loved ones.
This day is observed by the Roman Catholic Church to remember the souls of those who are in Purgatory.
A three-tiered altar incorporates the first levels and also includes purgatory. Alternatively, many suggest a three-tiered altar represents the Trinity. Pictures, paintings, and images of deceased loved ones are places on the altar so that their souls can be prayed for and remembered.
Answer: Día de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” is a popular celebration in Latin America. Despite the title being in the singular, the celebration usually lasts two days (November 1 and 2). While it is not a Catholic celebration, most Catholics celebrate it in the areas of the world where it is popular.
The Day of the Dead today
Today, the Day of the Dead is celebrated by most Catholics throughout Mexico in an entirely orthodox way.
Once the Spanish conquered the Aztec empire in the 16th century, the Catholic Church moved indigenous celebrations and rituals honoring the dead throughout the year to the Catholic dates commemorating All Saints Day and All Souls Day on November 1 and 2.
Catholic Church
However, since there is no certainty that any particular person is in hell, prayers are offered for all the dead, except for those believed to be in heaven who are prayed to, not for. In prayers for the dead, there is usually reference to them being in purgatory.
The skulls are very bright and cheerful, meant to celebrate the lives of the deceased. Often the name of the passed loved one is written on the skull's forehead before being placed on the altar, and it is then accompanied by marigolds, candles, and sometimes food and drinks, in order to help guide them back to earth.
From Easter to All Saints' Day, Catholic holidays celebrate the life of Christ, historical saints, and various faith-based values.
Water – placed in a container for the souls to quench their thirst after its long journey to reach the altar. Fire – represented by wax candles. Each soul is represented by a lit candle, and an extra one is placed for the forgotten soul. Salt – represents purification.
Water is placed in the ofrenda to quench the thirst of the sprits. It also symbolizes the element of life.
An ofrenda (Spanish: "offering") is the offering placed in a home altar during the annual and traditionally Mexican Día de los Muertos celebration.
The month of November is traditionally a time in which the Catholic community remembers those who have died. It is related to the fact that the end of November is the end of the Liturgical Year with a new year starting the First Sunday of Advent – the four-week period of preparation before Christmas.
Día de Los Muertos is more about healing than it is about feeling bad. Celebrating Day of the Dead means facing the fact that death is real and that although our loved ones are no longer with us, we can remember them and are happy that their spirits have returned to be with us during the holiday.”
All Souls' Day, in Roman Catholicism, a day for commemoration of all the faithful departed, those baptized Christians who are believed to be in purgatory because they died with the guilt of lesser sins on their souls. It is observed on November 2.
The ash cross marking observers' foreheads is meant to represent mortality and penance for their sins. It is applied by a priest during a morning mass, often along with a small blessing: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." Many choose to keep it on all day.
There are several interpretations, according to Church Fathers: the forehead symbolizes Heaven; the solar plexus (or top of stomach), the earth; the shoulders, the place and sign of power. It also recalls both the Trinity and the Incarnation.
The “sign of the cross” is made by saying the Trinitarian invocation while touching one's right hand to the forehead first (Father), then to the lower chest or stomach (Son), then to the left shoulder and the right shoulder (Holy Spirit), and closing with both our hands together for assent (Amen).
First, classical Roman Catholicism teaches that regeneration occurs at baptism, a view known as baptismal regeneration. Reformed theology has insisted that regeneration may take place at any time in a person's life, even in the womb.
Yes, and please do. Some people talk about cultural appropriation, and of course we must be mindful of the deep meaning of all the cultural elements. But culture is always a mix, and if someone wants to respectfully celebrate those family members who passed away and set up an altar for them, it is totally encouraged.
Catholics do not pray to Mary as if she were God. Prayer to Mary is memory of the great mysteries of our faith (Incarnation, Redemption through Christ in the rosary), praise to God for the wonderful things he has done in and through one of his creatures (Hail Mary) and intercession (second half of the Hail Mary).
While the rosary has many purposes, it is often prayed before, during, and after the time of death. It is considered an intercessory prayer, which asks for Mary's intercession with God so that the deceased may have eternal rest with Him forever.
The word Novena is rooted in the Latin word for nine. The practice of the novena is based in early Christianity, where Masses were held for nine days with devotional prayers for someone who has died.