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Thousands observe All Saints’ Day
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Posted on Nov 01 2004
The Catholic community on Saipan yesterday paused to offer prayers and flowers to their dearly departed in observance of the All Saints’ Day.
Thousands of people trooped to cemeteries, visiting graves of their departed loved ones, and are expected to swarm the cemeteries again today, All Souls’ Day.
Families spent a few hours in the cemetery to assure their departed relatives that they have not been forgotten.
The centuries-old tradition, proclaimed by Pope Boniface IV, has been passed from generation to generation, as children went with their parents to the cemeteries for the religious holiday.
Edward Sablan of San Vicente said he and his family visit the grave of his parents every month, adding that they “would always continue to pay respect and offer prayers and flowers.
“I would always bring my family because we’re going to pay our respect, pray, and also, I want my kids to learn so that they may practice it in the future. It is important to keep our loved ones in our minds and heart. We should never forget, because they loved us also,” he said.
The first All Saints’ Day occurred on May 13, 609 C.E. Pope Gregory IV officially designated the day in 837.
All Souls’ Day is a Roman Catholic day commemorating the faithful departed or those baptized Christians believed to be in purgatory. It is celebrated on Nov. 2, and if the date falls on a Sunday, is celebrated on Nov. 3.
