On Sunday, November 2, we will celebrate All Souls’ Day with a special Memorial Eucharist at 5:30 p.m. In the Anglican Communion, All Souls’ Day is the traditional time to remember loved ones who have died. Particular attention will be given to remembering those who have died within the past two years, but we will celebrate all of our loved ones enjoying eternal life in the nearer presence of God. We invite families to remember their loved ones by lighting one of the votive candles found outside the church door prior to the service and placing it on the altar. The service concludes with a candlelit procession into the Columbarium Garden for prayers around the ofrenda.

An ofrenda is a shrine or altar constructed to present offerings to the spirits, used in conjunction with El Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This event is celebrated in many Latin American countries, particularly in Mexico, and is a time to remember and honor the deceased. Since Dia de los Muertos is considered to be a celebration of eternal life rather than a sad event, ofrendas usually reflect whimsical portrayals of the dead as they were when they were living. St. Philip’s invites you to remember your departed loved ones by contributing to an ofrenda, which will be set up in the Columbarium Garden at St. Philip’s through November 2. Photographs, meaningful objects, and memorabilia are all suitable offerings. Objects may be placed on the ofrenda any time the office is open (Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

After the All Souls’ Memorial Service, the celebration of life continues with a festive reception in the Perry Garden.