By DJ Mojo Jojo

With Undas upon us, many Filipinos are set to celebrate the auspicious holiday with their family, friends and loved ones.

In celebration of All Souls Day, many of us will visit the graves of those who have passed away in all-night vigils. What some of us do during Undas is indeed varied and far in between; some engage themselves in prayer in intersession for souls of the dead while others choose to drink in the cemeteries and/or gambling the night away with games like tongitz, pusoy dos or mahjong. Some do a little of both. Some engage in even more clandestine activities.

The reflection of the Filipinization of this religious holiday is not all too different than the way Mexican’s Catholics celebrate El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead ~ All Souls Day) as they honor their deceased with Mardi Gras-esque fiestas where people dress up in macabre costumes, dance, sing and make merry. This observation was mentioned on our radio program this morning... the meaning of Undas can even be eclipsed by the ommercialized partydom of the Halloween season.

Trick or treat?!

Whatever your stance may be, Undas practices like those mentioned above have become “normal” activities for Filipinos – a fact that has alarmed local Church officials. For Catholics, the solemnity of Undas is overshadowed according to an article published by the Manila Bulletin:

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Halloween blamed for youth forgetting meaning of Undas

(By LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO)

A Catholic priest on Thursday blamed the rising popularity of Halloween parties for the youth forgetting why people commemorate All Saints and All Souls Day.

Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said because of Halloween parties, the youth often forget to pray for the saints and the dead during All Saints and All Souls Day.

“Sometimes they are already tired from attending a Halloween party the whole day that come November 1 and 2, the days when they are supposed to be praying, they are at home resting or sleeping,” he said over Church-run Radio Veritas 846 yesterday.

“I hope they won’t forget the real intention behind the observance --s to pray for the saints and the dead,” said Lagdameo.

The Jaro prelate issued the reminder to the youth and the faithful as Filipinos start flocking to different cemeteries to visit their departed loved ones.

Lagdameo said it’s the obligation of every Catholic faithful to pray for the dead, saying a time will come that they’ll be the ones who will be in need of prayer.

“Time will come that it is going to be us who will be prayed for by the living,” he said.

He urged those who won’t be able to visit the tombs of their dead because of old age or a serious sickness to just stay at home and pray.

“Those who are weak and sick should just stay at home and pray. But those who are still capable should go to the cemetery and pray,” Lagdameo said.

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Should we blame the youth for the shift in attitude towards the celebration of All Souls Day? This accusation goes way too far, at least in my book.

In any case, regardless of how you chose to spend the long weekend...

We would like to wish everyone a safe and meaningful Undas.