Today is All Soul's Day...also know as Dia De Los Muertos in Mexico. Yesterday was All Saint's Day - which honors people who have been "technically" recognized as "Saints"; whereas All Souls Day is to remember those we have personally known in our lifetimes who have gone before us.

So as a "one shot deal" my parish had an evening vigil Mass last night for both holidays. They had a portion of the Mass devoted to a ceremony where anyone in the congregation could get in line and say the name of a departed loved one at the microphone and then light a candle in their memory/honor. I felt wierd about getting in the line but at the last minute I jumped out of my pew and when my turn came I calmly spoke into the mic: "My son, Jack and my grandad, Mitch."  The woman who is the berevement minister of care was holding the mic and since she recognized me (she blessed Jack in the hospital and attended his funeral) she stopped the ceremony for a moment to hug me.

The Priest, Father Steve, appeared shocked or surprised or something as he sat on the altar and gazed in my direction...meaning I caught him out of the corner of my eye when I was in line and spied something of an odd look across his face. He told me about this particular Mass and ceremony after Jack's funeral but kept stating, "it might be too soon for you." Well, for whatever reason it wasn't too soon for me and I wasn't weepy like many of the others in line. So I wonder if my "peacefulness" is shocking to others or if they are just anticipating a breakdown any moment. Well, either way, I don't really mind. Grief is such an individually expressed entity, from what I have learned. So I'm certain that persons who deal with it on a regular basis tend to prepare themselves for "the worst" whatever that expression may be.