There are several things the United States can learn from Central America. How to celebrate religious feast days is one of them. For about a week each year the Belizeans honor and remember their dead. Beginning on November 2nd people make frequent trips to the cemetery to visit their deceased loves ones. The normally ill-plotted and dilapidated cemetery is transformed into something profoundly beautiful and peaceful. Here they have both graves and above ground mausoleum type tombs which are decorated with flowers and candles. The candles lit on all the different sizes and shapes of graves makes for a breath-taking scene. After processing from the Church to the cemetery the priest and the people go to their family members' graves to bless it with holy water and pray for their soul.
I've never been someone who is creeped out by cemeteries and now I find I actually have a love for them. Both years I've been here on All Souls' Day I haven't wanted leave the cemetery after the prayers because it's just so peaceful. Cemeteries contain so much history and love, they show us where we've come from and where we will end up, they remind us to be grateful for all the blessings we have, and they help us keep everything in perspective. It's difficult to get upset about the 'small things' and frustrations at work and at home when you've been to the cemetery that day. You're reminded what's important, what really isn't important, and what matters this minute, this hour, this day, isn't necessarily what matters in the end.
Amazingly enough, we keep learning from our loved ones even after they've died. Our memory of them, their life, their example, and their love... never dies. And because of that we will always be connected with those we love. God has a bigger plan than we can know or understand right now, but what we do know is that we are to pray for them. If our loved ones are in purgatory waiting to join God in Heaven they need our prayers, if they are already with God our prayers will not be wasted, but offered for the poor soul in purgatory who is in most need of prayers. If, by the grace of God, our family members are already with God in Heaven, be assured they are praying for you constantly. It's beautiful to think of how, even after death, we are still united with those we love, praying for each other from here or in Heaven, all working toward the same goal, and knowing by faith that we will achieve that goal and meet again for a glorious reunion in Heaven!
If you're Catholic you can gain a plenary indulgence (under the usual conditions that you receive Communion at Mass and go to Confession with 8 days before or after) each day from November 2nd through November 9th if you visit a cemetery, pray for the souls of the deceased, and pray for the Pope. Traditionally 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail Marys, and 3 Glory Bes are prayed for the Pope. You may offer the plenary indulgence for the soul of a deceased friend or family member. Please make the time to stop by the cemetery today and pray for your deceased loved ones, it only takes a few minutes and it's well worth it for them … and for you :)
God bless, Betsy
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