Comments on: All Soul’s Day – 2nd November?

By: Michael E

Michael E — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:40:54 +0000

No, that’s not true, for it is believed that the dead are no longer inhabiting their bodies, but live as spirits or souls, minds, or consciousnesses. They are seen as being in the care of God, may be enfolded with love and light by our offering of prayers and the holy Mass on their behalf, and they return as spirits to visit their loved ones on November 2nd. The following information is from the University of California:

Nov 1 & 2

Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead (Mexico, Central America). Traditionally, it is a day to celebrate and honor one’s ancestors. It’s based on the belief that there is interaction between the living world and the world of spirits. On the Día de los Muertos, the almas, or the spirits of the dead, are said to come back for family reunions. Many celebrate setting up ofrendas (altars) in their homes to honor the memory of deceased loved ones and to welcome their visiting souls. Others visit their loved one’s cemetery plot and decorate it with flowers, candles and food. The holiday is celebrated with family and community gatherings, music, and feasting, and the festivity of its observance acknowledges death as an integral part or life.

By: Mim

Mim — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 02:19:16 +0000

I thought it was the first hence all hallows eve the night before I do not believe what you suggest.

By: wrymind

wrymind — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:32:46 +0000

No, but they do go and party with them in the graveyards, and decorate with skeletons for the Day of the Dead. It’s basically the populist response to the Catholic church taking over the pagan Halloween and turning it into All Saint’s Day. It’s supposed to be the time of the year when the veil between the living and dead is thinnest.

By: skepsis

skepsis — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:30:36 +0000

Not exhume. In some sunny, dry countries, bodies tend to mummify naturally and are stored in caves rather than buried. Those are the places where this is most likely to happen.

By: Pagan Mama

Pagan Mama — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:09:20 +0000

Not true, at least in Mexico and the US….they do, however celebrate Dia de los muertes (day of the dead) on that date and go to cemeteries with candy and sweets and offerings, and decorate the graves.

By: The Canadian Atheist

The Canadian Atheist — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 22:22:15 +0000

Not true.
No exhumation is done. They make sugar skulls and treat them as if they were dead relatives.
Exhuming the dead is a great taboo in christian cultures…

By: Toby

Toby — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 07:22:13 +0000

The true All Souls’ day is November 2. November 1 is All Saints’ Day.

By: Lightandtruth

Lightandtruth — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:23:27 +0000

Not “Peru” and “Mexico”, but some of the people who live there, other places as well. The practice can be traced back to Abraham’s time.

By: Free at last

Free at last — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:46:08 +0000

What difference does it make? Nobody’s asking you to do it.

By: siwonemilia

siwonemilia — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 04:05:38 +0000

wow that is so weird, nasty, and strange