St. Thomas More Parish in Manhattan, Kansas shared a reflection on the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time on the Day of the Dead from the perspective of a woman who celebrated it growing up. 

“When I hear October, I think about nice weather, the beautiful colors of trees, apple pies (my favorite), etc. I also remember my hometown traditions about celebrating All Souls’ Day, or the Day of the Dead,” Josefina Gantt wrote. “Here is a little bit about my tradition in celebration of All Souls’ Day and Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos).”

The celebration is a way of bringing families — both living and deceased — together through the use of food, drinks, flowers, photos of the ones who have passed away and more. Mourning is exchanged for celebration in this holiday in a way that is unlike other holidays. 

Marigolds, which are commonly used for the Day of the Dead celebrations, is popular because of its color and scent, thought to attract the departed souls. 

“They are called ‘Flor de Muerto’ (Spanish for Flower of Dead) and they symbolize the beauty and fragility of life. Marigold flowers include around 60 varieties of annuals and perennials that are native to Mexico and Central America,” Gantt wrote. 

While we may view the idea of death as a sad concept that should be mourned, the Day of the Dead is just the opposite of that. Rather than seeing death as something to be loathed, feared and avoided, it sees that this is where all souls are headed. 

“That is why you will see brightly colored skeletons and skulls everywhere during the holiday and some of the rituals used to celebrate the day are varied and colorful. Yet all carry the same message, that celebrating the day of the dead is a true celebration of life,” Gantt wrote.