CULTIVATING JOY: FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS?

Saturday, September 24, 2016

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS?

The Bell Tower in Zapotitlan, in 1949 & now.

While we lived in Zapotitlan across the street from the tower from 1948-March 1954 and then in Cuautempan through the 1960's the bell tower rang constantly for 48 hours in honor of deceased children (Oct.31) and then the next day (Always on Nov.1) to honor the adult family members that had died, It was DAY OF THE DEAD day.
In Cuautempan we could hear the bells resonating across the valley below.
In Mexico while I was there, it was mostly celebrated in the rural areas - or countryside, towns, and villages - by indigenous people. Indigenous means those people who have lived there a very long time. Each of the towns or regions may celebrate the day in a slightly different way. For example, some towns may celebrate the day by going to the cemetery and preparing a feast at the gravesite of a relative on the eve of Nov. 2. And the custom of altar-building may differ from one state to another. It has now morphed to more elaborate celebrations and even spread to other countries. Almost as if to create another holiday
. These Bell Towers and the Catholic churches were about 400 yrs. old in the 40's. They really are quite magnificent to look at.


On the afternoon of Nov. 2, the festivities are taken to the cemetery. People clean tombs, and reminisce about their loved ones. Food is brought to the cemetery.

During Dias De Los Muertos holidays while I was in Mexico, it was common while walking up a wide trail to come upon a path leading up to a tiny hut.

A typical Indian Home, one of the nicer ones.

At times, curious to find out what was at the end of that path, I would follow the trail of orange/yellow marigolds leading up to a small clearing amongst a tall corn field to find a tiny hut up on the hillside. According to tradition the bright petals from the marigolds help the dead find their way back home for a visit. Inside those hut homes would be an altar with food and flowers.

The Catholic Church and Bell Tower in Cuautempan view from our house

The days leading up to the holiday, each family creates a beautiful altar, sometimes referred to as an "ofrenda", or offering in their home. The altars are carefully decorated and covered in gifts. The altar is lovingly decorated by all family members with pictures of the loved ones that are being remembered and picture of the Guadalupe.

Gifts of flowers, candles, and more may be placed on the altar. Each item has symbolic value. Some of the deceased's favorite foods,candy, and special pan de muertos,

Tradtional Pan De Muerte

a bread and other items may also be included to honor their memory. This holiday used to be exclusive to Mexico during the time I lived down there, and mostly celebrated in the rural areas - or countryside, towns, and villages - by" indigenous people. Indigenous means those people who have lived there a very long time. Each of the towns or regions may celebrate the day in a slightly different way. For example, some towns may celebrate the day by going to the cemetery and preparing a feast at the gravesite of a relative on the eve of Nov. 2. And the custom of altar-building may differ from one state to another."
There was much feasting, revelry , and superstition and finding drunken men sleeping it off in the middle of the trail or continuing on up the trail in a drunken stupor and a song. Rounding a bend of the trail and finding someone sprawled out in the middle or side can be very unnerving to a young girl

On the other hand, significant events to celebrate life of one who was taken prematurly, a young man in his middle 20's, a promising Christian worker. Dad does not remember his name but God knows. And what person would want to come back to visit if he is in the presence of Jesus celebrating and enjoying the richness that has been offered us.
( We think that this event occurred in 1961.)
ETERNITY IS A LOOOOOOONG TIME TO BE WRONG!