By: Silvia Lopez Medina
Every year, Dominican adds its unique twist to commemorate Día de los Muertos, a celebration that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memories, sacrifices, struggles.
This year’s theme, “Somos De La Tierra”, calls upon the community to reflect on the connectiveness with the earth.
The theme will look at the climate crisis affecting the earth and how we celebrate the stories of the earth as well as how our ancestors have connected with the earth as explained by Andrew Mercado, associate director of University Ministry.
On Nov. 2, Dominican will celebrate its annual Día de los Muertos celebration commemorating our ancestors, culture, and faith.
A commemoration that is mostly celebrated in Mexico. Being part of a Catholic Hispanic institution, this allows Dominican to integrate customs and traditions of the community in the campus life.
“We are all called to recognized and celebrate our loved ones that have passed away and celebrate their memories,” said Mercado. “This is one of those key moments of community at Dominican. It’s a way of understanding who we are as a community.”
The ofrendas, or altars, are a way of remembrance of the departed, which is a reminder that life is eternal, and that the presence of the deceased loved one is everlasting.
The display usually includes the departed’s favorite food and drinks as well as ornaments, personal belongings, flowers, candles, and pictures of loved ones.
The inspiration of how the ofrendas are decorated comes from those students who visit the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen and explore the exhibits and ofrendas.
This year, there will be six ofrendas located around campus: Parmer Atrium, Rebecca Crown Library, Coughlin Hall, Clock Lobby, the Center for Cultural Liberation, and one outside the Reading Room by the chapel.
Five student organizations and departments Mission and Ministry, TRIO Student Support Services, Undocumented and Immigrant Alliance (UIA), Organization of Latin American Students, and Student Success and Engagement, are organizing the events.
UIA Secretary Brittania Pioquinto said she thinks the entire process is special.
“I am looking forward to seeing everyone participate and bonding with each other while we are decorating the ofrendas and seeing what stories everyone has to share,” Pioquinto said.
Students around campus like Guadalupe Jaimes also plan to participate.
“It’s a way to show other people a little bit of my culture and why it is important to us to celebrate those who have passed,” Jaimes said.
The celebration will kick off at noon on Nov. 2 in the Parmer Hall Atrium with a short reflection based on the theme. Mariachis will then lead through a procession to the different ofrendas and end in the Noonan Reading Room, where there will be a celebration filled with food and music for the entire Dominican community.
