An excerpt from “Día de los Muertos celebrated by Chicagoland residents”

Día de los Muertos, commonly known as Day of the Dead, is a three day Mexican festival celebrated from Oct 31 to Nov 2. Friends and family gather in prayer to remember those who have died. This celebration coincides with the Catholic holidays, All Saints’ Day and All Soul’s Day.

Spirits of the deceased are allowed to return to the mortal world to visit friends and family.

“During the beginning over November, me and my family celebrate the Day of the Dead, which is just a day where we remember those that have passed away,” Aurora resident Xavier Garcia said. “It’s helps keep their spirits alive. There’s a big misconception. El Día de los Muertos is a celebration of life, not death.”

He explained that the traditional holiday has become widely practiced in America.

The holiday originated in Mexico but has been adapted to fit a Mexican-American audience. This year, Día de los Muertos was celebrated by Chicagoland area residents with a variety of festivities.

In honor of Day of the Dead, Lewis University with Oscar Romero Heritage Group presented an All Souls’ Day mass on Nov. 2 at the Sancta Alberta Chapel. This bilingual mass, led by Fr. Daniel Torson, featured songs and prayers in remembrance for the deceased.

“God, just as John’s gospel says, does not want to lose anyone. He cares so much, just as we know a mother would be caring for her little child,” Torson said. “Our hearts long for that nearness, that closeness to our God that we can experience in moments in this world and certainly only in its perfection with resurrection of the dead.”