CEDAR LAKE - Soulful Mexican oldies, colorful papel picado (perforated paper banners) and calaveras (skeletons) filled the school gymnasium at Holy Name of Jesus in Cedar Lake on Oct. 24 as they celebrated their second annual parish event of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
This cultural Mexican celebration, observed on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 during the Church’s observance of All Saints Day, is deeply rooted in faith, love, remembrance and tradition.
For co-organizer Leticia Romero Kotso and the parish Evangelization Commission, which includes Crafting with a Purpose, the Hispanic ministry, Parish Life and the Carlo Acutis Youth Group, continuing to share and preserve this tradition for a second year was especially important.
“We learned a lot from our first year,” Romero Kotso said. “The people who came showed a really big interest and seemed to really enjoy the information that was given, the displays, and all of the activities, so that gave us more incentive and momentum to want to continue it and it’s such a beautiful tradition.”
The free-entry exhibit included an arts and crafts section for families to create their own cempasuchils (marigolds) and papel picado, face painting, vendor tables that included various Mexican handcrafted items such as purses, wallets, jewelry, and aprons, a concession stand with nachos, hot dogs, light refreshments and pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread). A trail of cempasuchils helped lead attendees to various pop-up stations with information about elements found in traditional ofrendas (altars), ultimately leading to this year’s event theme: monarch butterflies.
“There are so many different elements to Día de los Muertos that every year, we kind of figured out that, you know, we could do something different,” said Romero Kotso. “Last year, the focus was on the cempasuchil, the marigolds. This year, we are kind of shifting the focus to the monarch butterflies, and we have a beautiful display up there on the stage.”
This year’s theme, monarch butterflies, highlighted their important role in the ofrendas, as they symbolize the returning souls of departed ancestors and loved ones visiting to reunite with their loved ones on earth. The pop-up station, located behind the stage, offered everyone the opportunity to write down the names of loved ones that they have lost, including names of pets, to add to the ofrenda and to help inspire them to do the same at home and make their own ofrenda. The station also pointed out the connection this element has with Jesus’s ascension into heaven, as both symbolize hope and renewal.
“Día de los Muertos offers something far more spiritual, and I think, beneficial to people than Halloween and it’s a symbol of hope,” said Cindy Varenkamp, parish director of liturgy and music. “It’s all about connecting with our deceased loved ones and understanding that there is something more beyond life. That there is life and hope beyond death.”
For Holy Name of Jesus parishioner and member of the Evangelization Commission group, Kimberly Nylen, being able to volunteer this year at the Día de los Muertos celebration helped her understand more about the joyful Mexican celebration.
“Last year, I wasn’t able to attend, but I saw all the pictures, and it looked like a really great time and celebration,” she said. “I’ve learned so much just from getting involved this year, and you know, it’s sometimes very confusing for some people because they can confuse it with Halloween and that kind of thing, but just getting closer to relatives that have passed and preserving the memories is a very important and special part of this tradition I’ve learned.”
Nylen believes that the Día de los Muertos celebration is inclusive and welcoming to all who are interested and want to learn more about it. She hopes that next year more people will feel called to join this vibrant, multi-day celebration at Holy Name.
Caption: Exhibition " Gifts for the Journey- Regalos para el Viaje" demonstrates the important key elements needed in an ofrenda (altar). (Abigail Diaz photo)
