MANILA, Philippines – Millions of Filipino Catholics flock to cemeteries on Friday and Saturday, November 1 and 2, for the annual commemoration of the dead called Undas.
In the Catholic Church, November 1 is All Saints’ Day while November 2 is All Souls’ Day.
Since the Spanish colonial era, however, the local custom in the Philippines is to mark November 1 as the Day of the Dead. The observance can extend till November 2 for families who want to avoid large crowds in cemeteries on November 1.
Here are prayers prepared by different Catholic communities for people who will visit cemeteries during Undas:
From the Roman Catholic Diocese of Malolos – Ang Sandigan:
From Ang Batingaw – Saint Augustine Parish in Baliwag, Bulacan:
From the Diocesan Ministry for Liturgical Affairs of the Diocese of Cubao:
– Paterno R. Esmaquel II/Rappler.com