Fort Dodge celebrates the Day of the Dead

Believing death is nothing to be afraid of


By DAWN THOMPSON, Messenger staff writer

Fort Dodge will continue its own take on an ancient tradition when Day of the Dead — El Dia de los Muertos — is celebrated Saturday at Sacred Heart Church, 211 S. 13th St.

‘‘We’re remembering those who have passed,’’ said the Rev. Ed Girres with Holy Trinity Parish. ‘‘It’s a day to realize death isn’t the worst thing in our Christian faith. The afterlife is even better. Death is nothing to be afraid of.’’

Holy Trinity Parish has observed Day of the Dead for more than five years, he said. Gunderson Funeral Home and Cremation Services joined efforts a couple of years ago, providing special songbooks with traditional melodies and otherwise helping to expand the event, which includes Mass followed by a potluck dinner and socializing in the parish center.

Day of the Dead originated in central and southern Mexico and is typically observed on Friday. Just how the holiday is celebrated reportedly differs from region to region, but it’s purpose is festive rather than morbid.

‘‘For us it correlates to All Souls Day,’’ Girres said. ‘‘It’s just the Spanish make a little bit bigger celebration of it.’’

Typically, families in Mexico will go to the graveyards where they meet with others and decorate the gravesites of their loved ones with flowers and religious decorations. They picnic and share stories of those who have passed, bringing with them chocolate beverages, cookies, sugary confections in animal and skulls shapes and special bread called pan de muerto. The mood is always cheerful, Girres said.

‘‘Among their images is a skeleton clown, and it’s meant to make fun of death,’’ he said.

Here in Fort Dodge, the celebration will begin at 6:45 p.m. with the Rev. Tim Johnson delivering the Mass in Spanish learned for the occasion. Participants can bring photographs and other memorabilia to be placed on a special altar in honor of their loved ones.

Past response to the event has been good, Girres said, with a mix of both Anglican and Hispanic observers taking part.



Contact Dawn Thompson at (515) 573-2141 or d'>dthompson@messengernews.net'>d'>d'>dthompson@messengernews.net'>dthompson@messengernews.net'>thompson@messengernews.net>