Today’s Topic: “Keeping Our Undas Tradition Alive In Canada”

Today’s Topic: “Keeping Our Undas Tradition Alive In Canada”

THE FILIPINO UNDAS TRADITION
“This is the only occasion where the burial ground ceases to be the symbol of grief, as all sorrows are banished from the mind of the living, while enjoying the company of the dead, in a picnic like setting.”
(Hon. (Philippine Judge) Ray Alan T. Drilon)

“UNDAS 2019 SA EVERGREEN”
Keeping our Filipino “Undas” Tradition Alive
Please join us as we commemorate this special event in our community. Please pre-register your dearly departed relatives for inclusion in the Prayer Services and in the Mass Petitions.
WHERE: Evergreen Funeral Home & Cemetery
16102 Fort Road, Edmonton, Alberta T5Y 6A2
WHEN: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2019
From 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Prayers and Memorial Service
Celebration of Holy Mass for our departed loved ones
Blessing of the Filipino Garden – Himlayang Filipino
Lunch Reception & Entertainment
Everyone is welcome!
For more information call: RSVP to Hermo T. Pagtakhan: 780-905-9288

SIGNIFICANCE OF UNDAS: IT IS BOTH A RELIGIOUS & CULTURAL TRADITION

  1. UNDAS (TODOS LOS SANTOS or ALL SAINTS DAY) is the 3rd biggest and most celebrated Philippine National Catholic holiday after Christmas and Easter.
  2. There is a UNIQUELY FILIPINO WAY of celebrating UNDAS: “FIESTA-LIKE Celebration of UNDAS”
    One very good observation regarding the unique practice of celebrating Undas as mentioned above is that “This is the only occasion where the burial ground ceases to be the symbol of grief, as all sorrows are banished from the mind of the living, while enjoying the company of the dead, in a picnic like setting.”
  3. Philippine Fiestas like UNdas are cultural anchors helping Filipinos define their national character.
  4. Celebrations and specialty fiestas endure in this country because “it is rooted in the communitarian and expressive instincts of human nature, is a durable venue for Filipino cultures and expressions, and is a symbol of Filipino sense of community.”
  5. “It is to this small community, that is annually recreated by the fiesta that he goes home to renew his identity and sense of belonging – belonging to a home and familial village.”
    This appears to be the best explanation of why the Filipino goes home every Christmas, Holy Week and Undas. And why there is gaiety and merrymaking in the cemeteries.
    This uniquely Filipino way of celebrating worldwide Catholic feasts is living evidence that there is a distinct Filipino culture that serves to bond us all together as one people. No matter in what corner of the world we may be, we remain truly Filipino.”

II. UNDAS ACTIVITIES (PHIL):
“Christian Filipinos customarily remember, honor, and pay respect to the dead on All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2). The grave sites are cleaned, visited, and adorned by family members, relatives and friends on the eve of November 1, to stay at the cemetery, to light candles, to pray, to lay flowers, and bring food for the consumption of the attendees. Others, like the Ilocanos, offer food for the dead. Some children habitually gather candle wax during this time for the purpose of play or reselling to candle makers.” (Source: Wikipedia)

III. KEEPING THE UNDAS TRADITION ALIVE IN EDMONTON:
As much as we would want to, most of us Filipinos residing or working overseas (including those in Canada) are unable to go back to the Philippines to honour our dearly departed. A lot of our Filipino “Kababayans” here in Edmonton have been asking me through the years WHY, we as a community, DO NOT celebrate this very important and significant Philippine national and religious holiday here in Edmonton. So in 2014, I thought our community should start our own Undas celebration in Edmonton.
It is totally a community function that can be participated in by various community organizations. We are just providing the venue (our Chapel and Reception Centre) and the complimentary food and refreshments.

IV. UNDAS IN EDMONTON:
Some of the Highlights of this Special Event include:

  1. Prayers for the dearly departed and a memorial service;
  2. Celebration of the Liturgy for our dearly departed loved ones;
  3. Symbolic lighting of memorial candles;
  4. Blessing of the Memorial Book of Remembrance;
  5. Blessing of the Filipino Garden “HIMLAYANG FILIPINO”;
  6. Lunch Reception, entertainment and more!!!

We hope to see you there, mga Kababayan!

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