ILIGAN City — Families visiting cemeteries for Undas are being urged to keep their gatherings peaceful and make prayer and remembrance the focus of their visits.
Rev. Msgr. Alberto de Lara, vicar general of St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral, said All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day should remain occasions for honoring the dead through prayer, love and respect, rather than excessive celebrations.
“This is not an opportunity for merry-making,” De Lara said, reminding families that while cemetery visits may bring relatives together, prayer for departed loved ones should remain at the center of the occasion.
He urged cemetery administrators, particularly those managing private cemeteries, to maintain an atmosphere of silence and solemnity so visitors can pray and reflect without unnecessary distractions.
Loud music, drinking sessions and parties, he said, undermine the dignity of cemeteries as resting places for the dead.
The Catholic Church observes Nov. 1 as All Saints’ Day, honoring saints, and Nov. 2 as All Souls’ Day, when the faithful offer prayers for the departed.
De Lara explained that praying for the dead is connected to the Catholic belief in purgatory, where souls undergo purification and can benefit from the prayers of the faithful.
He added that remembering loved ones who have died is not limited to Catholics. People of different faiths can also honor the lives and lasting contributions of parents, relatives, friends and others who have become part of their lives.
Candles and flowers as signs of remembrance
De Lara said candles and flowers commonly offered at graves carry meanings beyond decoration.
Candles symbolize Christ as the light and remind Christians of their baptismal calling to live as children of the light. They also represent prayer, faith and hope in God.
Flowers, meanwhile, express love, gratitude and respect for the departed, serving as reminders of the relationships that continue to shape the lives of those left behind.
He said these practices are meaningful expressions of remembrance when observed with respect for human dignity and without superstitious beliefs that contradict Catholic teaching.
Priest raises concern over Halloween themes
De Lara also encouraged Halloween party organizers to consider the religious significance of the occasion and avoid activities that focus excessively on horror, evil and frightening imagery.
He explained that Halloween comes from “All Hallows’ Eve,” referring to the eve of All Saints’ Day, and urged communities to give greater attention to its connection to holiness.
Instead of centering celebrations on frightening themes, he encouraged organizers to promote activities that help children appreciate holiness, prayer and peaceful relationships.
De Lara said families can continue their traditions and enjoy time together while keeping the spiritual purpose of the season in mind.
He said the most meaningful tribute to departed loved ones is not measured by the number of flowers or candles placed on their graves, but by the prayers, love and respect that families continue to offer.
