Eternal Rest Grant Unto Them
All Souls Day // Día de los Muertos
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen
My family is from the beautiful state of Michoacán, Mexico, in which “Día de los Muertos” is widely celebrated. In the small and rural town in which I have spent lots of time in, when someone in the community passes away, the whole-town-knows. Not only does the news spread fast, but the praying and funeral traditions begin immediately.
As I’ve grown up, I have come to appreciate the profound beauty of how an entire town will set aside their daily lives to come together in prayer for the eternal repose of a departed loved one.
Rosaries after rosaries, chaplets after chaplets, hugs after hugs.
In my experience, American funerals simply cannot compare to the compassion and fellowship found in these traditions. It is truly a blessing from God to receive such an outpouring of prayers, companionship, food, and even assistance with daily chores during a time of loss.
Día de los Muertos is the day in which we remember and pray for ALL SOULS. November 1st, we celebrate all the Saints in heaven, but the very next day, we celebrate every soul that has passed away.
Through my family and faith, I have learned the significance of praying especially for those souls in purgatory, who are our spiritual brothers and sisters—some may even be our own family members! Saint Faustina wrote in her diary: “I was in a misty place full of fire in which there was a great crowd of suffering souls. They were praying fervently, but to no avail, for themselves; only we can come to their aid.” (Diary, 20)
While we can make reparation for our own sins while living on earth, we can no longer do so after death. We must reconcile ourselves to God before death. This is why we must pray for the Poor Souls in purgatory that can no longer act on their own behalf!
Let el Día de los Muertos be your reminder to help save souls! Let us offer prayers and sacrifices so that they may reach heaven faster, especially through the intercession of our Blessed Mother and God’s Divine Mercy.
“From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.” - CCC 1032
All you Holy women and men, ora pro nobis! Mary Mother of God, save souls!
+JMJ+
United in prayer,
Jessica <3
