By: Stella Luciano and Lyell Makinzie
For the past seven years, DU students and University Ministry have collaborated to celebrate Día de los Muertos here on campus. They have worked in tandem to create and design ofrendas, which acts as a site for remembering loved ones who have passed away through the expression of colorful makeup, flowers and skeletal imagery. Family members leave pictures of their loved ones, along with their favorite foods and drinks. Father Eddie De León explains that Día de los Muertos is a celebration of life and emphasizes that communities should not fear death.
The theme for this year’s blessing is Imago Dei, a Catholic term representing the idea that we are all made in the image and likeness of God. Students from Anthony Suarez-Abraham’s theology class partnered with University Ministry to create this year’s ofrendas located in Lewis Alcove, Parmer, Coughlin and the Lund Auditorium.
Students began a process of brainstorming social concerns to recognize during the blessing and decided to focus on the border crisis. Amy Omi, a university minister, explains that students “want to celebrate those who are disaffected by the injustice at the border” and incorporates “God’s own image to try to dismantle that hierarchy of human value to say all of our lives matter.” Prayers and blessings for the disaffected were incorporated into the service, performed by students, faculty, and Father Eddie De León on the first of November in the Lewis Alcove.
Father Eddie De León emphasizes the notion that Día de los Muertos is not explicitly a Hispanic tradition, but it should be a welcoming celebration for everyone at Dominican University. The integration of culture and social justice continues to be a firm part of Dominican’s mission of Caritas Veritas. Nearly a hundred students and faculty of different backgrounds attended the blessing to celebrate and remember the life of their loved ones.