Garden Grove, Calif., (Oct. 28, 2021) – The Diocese of Orange will hold its annual Día de los Muertos observance on Saturday, Oct. 30, with a Rosary, Mass and festival attended by the Most Rev. Timothy Freyer, Auxiliary Bishop of Orange, starting at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange. More than 2,000 Catholics from parishes throughout the Diocese will gather at the cemetery for the annual outdoor Mass to pay their respects and celebrate the life of their loved ones who have departed.

Día de los Muertos is a tradition in Mexico and in other Latin American countries. This observance dates back many hundreds of years and is closely associated with All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2. It is marked by festivities, including elaborately decorated altars and face painting. Many families visit the graveyards of their loved ones and celebrate throughout the day with a picnic as they remember the deceased.

“The Day of the Dead is passionately observed by the Hispanic community in our Diocese,” said Bishop Freyer. “It is an occasion for families to come together in prayer to celebrate a ritual that has profound spiritual and cultural importance.”

There are many customs and traditions that occur during Día de los Muertos festivities, depending on the culture. An altar is often intricately built at the cemetery offering food for deceased family mem-bers in the belief that the dead participate in the meal in spirit. The offerings are arranged with colorful banners and flowers, which serve as a living memory of deceased loved ones. Candles, incense, me-mentos, photos and other remembrances are used in the preparation of the altar honoring the faithful departed.

Order of Events
What: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Rosary, Mass and Festival in the Diocese of Orange
Where: Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, 7845 Santiago Canyon Road, Orange. General attendee parking with shuttles is at Santiago Canyon College. Onsite parking for media trucks can be arranged in ad-vance.
When: Saturday, Oct. 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Rosary at 9:30 a.m. Mass at 10:30 a.m. Festivities from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
Visuals: Decorated altars throughout the cemetery, flower arrangements in memory of the deceased, mariachi, food, folklórico dancers, face painting, Mass with Bishop Timothy Freyer. More than 2,000 people are expected to attend.
RSVP: Media is requested to RSVP by contacting Tracey Kincaid (tkincaid@rcbo.org, 714-282-3075) and Bradley Zint (bzint@rcbo.org, 657-390-3914)

About the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange

With 1.3 million Catholics, 57 parishes, five Catholic centers, three cemeteries and 36 schools, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange is one of the largest, most diverse faith communities in the United States. The Diocese empowers Catholics across Orange County to have an active life of faith that is integrated and woven into the fabric of their daily lives through the community and sacramen-tal life of the Church. Under the leadership of Bishop Kevin Vann, the Diocese works to establish and support dynamic, vibrant parishes and schools, and welcome all to live the Gospel with faith, joy, charity and unity. Christ Cathedral, the spiritual home of the Diocese, was dedicated in July 2019. Learn more about the Diocese of Orange at www.rcbo.org

Learn more about the Diocese of Orange at https://www.rcbo.org.

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