LA Catholic cemeteries celebrate Día de los Muertos
Mexican American and Catholic communities gathered, many in colorful attire, at the 10th annual “Día de los Muertos” celebration on Saturday, Oct. 26.
“Día de los Muertos,” or “Day of the Dead,” events at different L.A. area cemeteries — hosted by Catholic Cemeteries and Mortuaries of the L.A. Archdiocese — kicked off Saturday at the Calvary Cemetery and Mortuary in East L.A.
“This year’s celebrations will offer a unique opportunity for families to enjoy a Catholic tradition that unites faith, prayer and cultural heritage to honor the faithful departed,” a news release from the Archdiocese said.
Javier Saucedo, left, and Irma Mosqueda attended the 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles to honor their son who is buried at the cemetery, on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Traditional Aztec dancers perform during the 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Maria Martinez, from Commerce, adds a decoration to the grave site of her granddaughter, Kayla Isabella Maldonado during the 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Calvary Cemetery hosted its 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Calvary Cemetery hosted its 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Calvary Cemetery hosted its 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Deacon Phil Luevanos , center left, blesses an altar during the 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Monsignor John Moretta blesses an altar dedicated to Bishop David O’Connell during the 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Calvary Cemetery hosted its 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Calvary Cemetery hosted its 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Children wear calavera face paint as they participate in the 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Monsignor John Moretta blesses an altar during the 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Monsignor John Moretta during the 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Ignacio Delgado, from Orange County, attends the 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
People gather outside Calvary Cemetery’s mausoleum during the 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
A child wears calavera face paint as he particaptes in the 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Calvary Cemetery hosted its 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Adriana Delgado holds her hands up in prayer during the 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Matachines dancers from Santa Teresita Catholic Church perform in Los Angeles during the 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
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Javier Saucedo, left, and Irma Mosqueda attended the 10th annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles to honor their son who is buried at the cemetery, on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Saturday’s gathering began with a Mass presided by Msgr. John Moretta, pastor of Resurrection Parish in Boyle Heights, followed by a procession around the mausoleum. Over 55 community-made ofrendas were blessed to honor the departed.
Festivities included folklorico dancers, arts and crafts, enjoying “pan de muerto” and fruits and candies, and calavera skull decorating. There were performances by the all-female Mariachi Las Colibrí, Ballet Folklorico Resurrection, Mariachi Tierra Mexicana, and Aztec dancers. Martin Tenorio Villagomez, an artist from Guanajuato, Mexico, created a live large-scale sawdust carpet depicting “La Ofrenda” image by sacred art specialist Lalo Garcia.
More Día de Los Muertos celebrations are scheduled for All Souls Day, November 2, at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills and Santa Clara Cemetery in Oxnard.
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