Palma to faithful: Keep sanctity of celebration

With only a few days left before All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day celebrations, the Archdiocese of Cebu urged the faithful to avoid noisy activities to keep the sanctity of the occasion.

Archbishop Jose Palma encouraged the public to pray for their loved ones in a simple manner.

“Hopefully, consistent with our tradition, we should first offer a prayer to the Lord, to our late loved ones and to the saints. There are Filipino traditions of preparing food during these times but not too much that it would seem like it’s a fiesta,” he said.

Palma said that more than the abundance of food, prayers for the deceased loved ones and de- votion to the saints should be the focus of the celebration.

Monsignor Ruben Labajo, rector of the Cathedral, also advised the public to start with their preparation on the graves of their loved ones.

This is to avoid the surge of people expected to visit the cemeteries all over Cebu.

“If they could, starting today, please install lights or work on the necessary cleaning for the grave of our loved ones. If doesn’t mean that they should pray only on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 because they can actually start now in offering masses or candles and flowers,” he said.

He said that electricians and other utility personnel in the Carreta Cemetery are now ready to install lights on the grave for P280.

Labajo said that the price was based on the increase in electricity fees.

Holy masses will be held hourly in the cemeteries, he said.

Aside from sharp objects and liquor, the public are also warned not to bring loud speakers to avoid noise in the cemeteries.

“It’s okay to prepare food but not to the point that it’ll be like a party on the graves. It’s the time that we pray for the dead because there are a lot of times to celebrate birthdays, fiestas or birthdays. More than the flowers and candles, they need our prayers,” Labajo said. /