Dili, October 30, 2024 (Média Democracia) – Regarding the Feast of the Deceased which on November 2, 2024, which is commemorated every year by Timor-Leste Catholics. The Parish Priest of Dili Cathedral said that the Feast of the Deceased is a Catholic tradition that has existed for a long time.
Father Paulos Maia said the true meaning of the Feast of the Deceased is a long-standing Catholic tradition that Catholics around the world commemorate in the beginning of November.
“Feast of the Deceased as Catholic tradition day which has existed in long time ago, Catholic people in all around the world always celebrate two important day in the beginning of November.” Father Paulos said
He said that November 1st is the first day to commemorate All Saints’ Day because they are already living happily in heaven.
“On November 1st, we commemorate All Saints’ Day, which we believe is now living happily in heaven, so in our opinion, the Feast of the Deceased in November is commemorated for all the saints, then the second day is commemorated for the deceased, on that day we reflect and pray for them, especially those who are in purgatory.” He said.
He emphasized that in the teachings and beliefs of Catholics, there are three things that are very important and sacred for all Catholics, so on the day of the deceased, praying for the deceased who are still in purgatory and also for those who are already in heaven.
“There is the Pilgrimage Church, the Itchy Church which means the Church that cleanses ourselves and the Celestial Church which means Heaven, so on this Feast of the Deceased we pray for our friends who have died of course for the whole world, for those who are still in purgatory and also for those who are already in Heaven.” He said firmly.
He added, on this important day, Catholics in principle must be devoted to valuable objects and pray for people who have died.
“Now, other things like picking flowers, cooking for the spirits are secondary to the main thing that Catholics should do because the main thing is to pray, our customs like worshiping flowers at night, cooking these are our own traditions not all cultures or traditions.” He said.
He said, as has become a tradition in each place, we can do this, but what is real is that everyone is involved in the intervention and reflection on November 2.
“On the Feast of the Dead, we or everyone is busy, there are Catholics who go to visit families and pray for people who died and there are also those in Dili who commemorate here because they live in Dili,” he said.
He continued, this custom on the Feast of the Deceased is that every Catholic prepares everything including food and so on, but what is needed by the deceased is the attitude of people so that they can help the deceased and also help themselves.
“We prepare food, we prepare side dishes, we prepare animals, we prepare drinks, from all of that the most important thing is our prayer, we need our good behavior, showing good behavior to help them and ourselves.” He added.
He explained that food and drink are all good, but sometimes they ruin the day of remembrance that we want to remember the deceased and all of that can damage our conscience.
“We eat and drink according to our obligations and finally we get drunk, from being drunk we destroy each other and accidents occur and with that all Catholics must know the most important thing in the Feast of the Deceased, namely praying for the deceased and doing good to the deceased, especially those who are in the stage of purification towards heaven.” He explained.
Furthermore, he said that the most important thing on Feast of the Deceased is to pray so that they can help their spirits in heaven.
Reported by : Estefania
Picture by : SFAD2023