The Commuter Peer Ministries and UNIDOS held two events in order to celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
Dia de los Muertos is a holiday from Mexican origin celebrated every November 2nd. Altars are built to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. Pan de Muerto, the flower of cempasúchil (Mexican marigold), candles, and sugar skulls are some of the symbols of this tradition.
On November 1st, altars were built at the McDonough Chapel. Students, staff and community could bring pictures of their deceased loved ones as a symbol of remembrance. Students also decorated delicious skull sugar cookies.
The following day, on November 2st, there was a Dia de los Muertos Mass at noon in the McDonough Chapel. Hot chocolate and Mexican sweet bread was offered.
Alondra Delfin and Susy Maruvka, Commuter Peer Ministries members, say it is important to honor the culture and keep this tradition. “We have a high Hispanic population and we want to celebrate as a community to bring awareness [of Dia de los Muertos] and spread the word . . . We want to celebrate the culture,” said Delfin.
Three altars were built in total: the first was for SXU students, faculty and staff; the second, for community member; and the third was dedicated to the 43 Mexican missing students who were kidnapped in 2014.
Maribel Valladares, Commuter Peer Ministries president, explained to the Xavierite that they chose to honor the 43 Mexican missing students with an altar in order to bring awareness about it to the SXU Community. She also added it is important to pass the tradition of celebrating Dia de los Muertos. “I think it’s nice to pass it forward to keep the tradition so it doesn’t dry out,” said Valladares.
Miryam Villarreal
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