In the Christian church year, All Saints Day and All Souls Day are celebrated on November 1 and November 2. The names of loved ones who have passed are traditionally read during most All Saints Day services, a custom upheld at St. John’s Sparta.

This year, two young Latina women and members of St. John’s, Alicia Escalante and Cristina Escalante—who have Guatemalan roots on their mother’s side—asked permission to honor their heritage by incorporating the observance of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) into the All Saints celebration. Modern observances of Día de los Muertos vary widely across Mexico and other communities around the world. Typically, families visit cemeteries to decorate graves with candles, marigolds, and the favorite foods of deceased loved ones in the hope that their spirits will return for a joyful reunion. Among the most beloved customs is the building of ofrendas—altars arranged in homes or beside graves.

Cristina and Alicia built a beautiful ofrenda at St. John’s using candles, flowers, salt, skulls, photos of loved ones, and abundant bright orange, a color central to the celebration. The bright orange comes from marigolds, whose strong fragrance is essential to the tradition’s spiritual purpose of guiding the spirits of deceased loved ones back to the ofrenda. Orange represents guidance, sunlight, and remembrance, symbolizing the connection between life and death.

Other members of St. John’s also brought photos of their loved ones to add to the ofrenda. Wearing the traditional dress of her heritage, Alicia gave a moving presentation to the congregation as everyone celebrated All Saints, All Souls, and Día de los Muertos together. Although Cristina was in Guatemala continuing to learn about her family and traditions and could not be present, her contributions were deeply felt. Ultimately, Día de los Muertos reflects a worldview in which death is not an end, but a meaningful extension of life.

📸Story and Photos by Kathleen Charles