Remembrance Ofrenda

The ofrenda, which began as a Mexican tradition for the Día de los Muertos, is a remembrance table created by many households on the Feast of All Saints. One of our seven principal celebrations in the church, it is a time to honor and remember all Christians. For many, it is a time to remember loved ones who have preceded us to heaven.

Of course, this feast always coincides with the celebration of Halloween. This name is derived from “All Hallows’ Eve”—the hallowed (you know the word from the Lord’s Prayer) are saints or holy persons. Many traditions believe that on this evening the veil between heaven and earth is thin and spirits may briefly walk the land again; an ofrenda welcomes the beloveds.

What I love about Halloween and All Saints’ is the posture we take toward death. As Christians, Halloween can be our way of poking fun at death, declaring “You don’t scare me!” Then on All Saints we celebrate the continuity of life on earth and heaven, and how love is eternal in Christ.

At St. Bart’s this All Saints’ weekend, we will have a “Remembrance Ofrenda” set up at the back of the sanctuary. We invite you to bring photos and mementos of your loved ones to display. Our ofrenda will remain for the month of November.

We will also honor departed loved ones at our Brahms’ A German Requiem concert this Sunday at 4 p.m. Please come and experience this profoundly moving choral masterpiece.

All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Mother Nina+