Enduring connections with our departed loved ones

On All Souls’ Day, visiting the cemetery serves as a powerful way to honor and remember the legacy of our departed loved ones. For our family, it is a significant occasion that allows us to reflect on cherished memories. This day not only strengthens our bond with those we have lost but also emphasizes the importance of their impact in our lives. As we gather to pay our respects, we find solace in sharing stories and reminiscing about happier times. Ultimately, it becomes a meaningful tradition that helps us keep their spirit alive.

On this occasion, we relive the many practices and traditions that have endured through the years. One cherished custom is bringing food to the cemetery to share a meal with family members. Our menu typically features all-time favorites like suman, pancit, and humba. We also make sure to prepare separate plates of food to share with our departed loved ones. This gathering allows us to honor their memory while enjoying time together as a family.

Visiting the big cross is a significant commitment for many of us. This act often involves lighting candles in memory of those who may have been forgotten by their loved ones. We honor not only recent departures but also those who have passed away many decades or even centuries ago. These individuals remain an essential part of our family tree, preserving their memories and legacies. Through this tradition, we express our enduring connection to them, ensuring they are never truly forgotten.

Before leaving the cemetery, some individuals have found a source of income by catering to those who still believe in the ritual of palina. This practice involves burning dried leaves and various other materials to create smoke. The belief is that by passing through the smoke, visitors can leave behind anything they brought with them, ensuring those items are not taken back home. This tradition draws on deep cultural beliefs about letting go of burdens and connections to the past. As a result, this service has become a meaningful part of the cemetery experience for many families.

At home, we honor our departed loved ones by lighting candles in their memory. This simple act serves as a poignant reminder of their presence in our lives. Each candle represents our love and respect for them, illuminating the space with warmth and affection. As we gather together, we take a moment to reflect on cherished memories and the impact they had on our lives. Through this ritual, we keep their spirits alive in our hearts and maintain our connection to them.

During All Souls' Day, we engage in these practices and traditions as a heartfelt manifestation of our love for those we have lost. Each ritual serves to honor and remember our departed loved ones, acknowledging their significance in our lives. These memories are not merely echoes of the past; they are integral to who we are and who we have become. By partaking in these customs, we strengthen our bonds with them and keep their spirits alive in our hearts. Ultimately, this celebration of remembrance becomes a testament to the enduring connections we share with our family and friends who have passed away.