Just as I was typing this column the prayer for my Mom’s death anniversary has been started. See here in the Philippines in the Catholic faith if someone dies there is a 9 days prayer going when the person died. Same thing going on during the first year anniversary of the death. There is a 9 days prayer before the said date. Just like my mom, she died October 5th, so the 9 days prayer started September 27th. We did this since my mom was Catholic all her life. We honor her faith.
On the said 9 days prayer, my sister hired her neighbor to lead the prayer. There is a certain prayer that you have to do for the death. It’s like a Rosary in the Catholic that someone will lead. It will take like almost an hour for the prayer. It’s kind of nice because its really a prayer dedicated for my mom. While the prayer is going on a few sticks of candles should be lit up. Some family they had something lit in the altar until the 9 days prayer is over. Not sure if my sister did that though. After the prayer you have to feed the people that attended the prayer. It could be like a few to a lot of people. The last prayer would be done at the grave of my mom. We will be there on the 5th of October. My siblings wants us to stay there on the graves the whole day I think. Honestly I will follow them on this thing because the last time I attended an events like this during my sister’s death. That was about 30 years ago. With my Dad I was in the States, but went home for the 1st year anniversary but didn’t pay much attention because it was hard for me to accept his death. Plus I didn’t go to the grave of my dad at that time with my siblings because the security in our place in the farm at that time was unstable. So I didn’t really think of it. So with my moms death anniversary I will be off to GenSan for the event.
With the last days of prayer most families here in the Philippines will butcher animals for that. For us my siblings bought a whole pig and it will be butchered the early morning on the 5th of October. We will also have some chickens for the other family members that will not eat pork. Some of my family in the Farm might be coming to celebrate with us. Really it could be a lot of people or just us family. My mom died in the farm, but we will celebrate the anniversary in GenSan since my mom lives in my sister’s house for a long time and also my mom and my dad and my sister are now buried in GenSan anyway.
Some families here they will cook the food in the house and bring it to the grave and eat there. I don’t know if that’s what my siblings are planning to do. I think that’s the trend nowadays. I hope not like that. My parents never brought us to the grave of my sister and my grandparents before and eat there. I hope we will just do the prayers there at my mom’s grave and go home and eat at the house. Really whatever my siblings do I will just follow them and will see what happens. I am not going to tell them what to do. Me and my siblings are one for my moms memory. I thank them for being there during her sickness.
Mama may you rest in peace. Bob and I love you very much!
” For all our readers here who has families that was hit by Ondoy our prayers are with you.“
Hi Feyma,
May your Mom rest in peace.
I'm also interested with these prayers. I know it's meant for the
mortals to intercede and ask for divine favor to lift the souls of the departed from purgatory to the Gates of Heaven.
The Litany, I found out, was started by St. Iganatius de Loyola (the founder of the Jesuits) when he was recuperating from his wounds and was inactive in the miltary service for the Pope….the Litany…"arkas alyansas, bituon sa kabuntagon, torre ni David, torre nga tiposa…etc.."
San Ignacio and San Francisco Javier (St. Francis Xavier) are from the neighboring towns of Loiola and Javier in Pais Vasco (Basque Country) in Spain.
"The Requiem", I think, is part of the Gregorian Chants (San Gregorio) inspired by King Alfonso X of Spain (Asturias).
Catholicism is a positive heritage that Spain had given to the Philippines.
I'll be traveling Pais Vasco, Asturias, Cantabria and Galicia next year.
Cheers.
Hello Feyma,
This is the first time I have commented on your columns, but I have read them all. What a nice gesture for the departed loved ones. Please answer for me, as I no nothing of the Catholic faith, do you perform these prayers every year, or is it only on the first anniversary? Thank you for letting me know a bit about your religious beliefs.
Hola Feyma,
your Mom looked a very sweet lady,may endeed rest in peace.
Dr.Sponk Long,hI,how you?
We call this part of Spain LA COSTA VERDE , FOR TOURIST REASONS. but I call it the spanish Scothland.
I have done this journey about 3 years ago,and I had a warderful time.The most memorable part was,the concert in the Panplona cathedral ,of 16th century Spanish and Japanese music,in conmemoration of the 500th aniversary of the baith of San francisco Javier.I am sure you know that he was the first person of the western world to arrive to Japan,under the oders of the king of Portugal,It took him 3 years the journay from Lisbon to Japan(canary islands,Cabo Verde Islands.west coast and east coast of Africa,Goa,Macao,Malaca"Malasia",he was fall ill in Malaca,so he had to remain there for about 1 year,I have visited all this places,in exeption of Angola and Mozanbique,and it was one of the nices expariances of my live.
I wish you a very nice time in Spain, I recoment you,SAN SEBASTIAN,one of the most beautiful citys of Spain,with his wanderful La concha beach,Santander,with his beautiful Sardinero beach,Gijon,with San lorenzo beach,and than,the apoteosis,SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA( SORRY NO BEACH THERE,lol.)but you have the best fish an wine you can have anywhere in the world, my favorite is PULPO A LA GALLEGA ,with Albariño wine.When I eat this dish they have to stop me… lol.
I am looking foward to my next journays too, in November Eslovenia and Croasia, and in January, Australia,New Zealand and Filipinas.
Nice to talk to you, have a nice day.
I had the great pleasure of meeting your Mum, and what spirit she showed.
Now her daughter has that spirit too. Love to you and the memory of your mother.
Hola Antonio Marques Sans,
You have pointed out a very relevant subject for Feyma's article.
The concept of purgatory is ingrained in almost every Filipino's psyche. As I mentioned above it's the duty for the living to pray (the novena)…calling all the saints and Mother Mary to talk to God to lift the soul of one's departed from purgatory's limbo to the bliss of heaven.
But what if the departed has no family or friends? What if the departed's family or friends don't believe or probably don't know how to pray the novena? What if there's no longer the prayer leader (mananambat) available?
There's no rocking in limbo for the unlucky one's indeed.
For the living that are not sure that their family and friends will give them the novena, don't despair. There's 100% guaranteed certificate that one can present to St. Peter going straight to heaven, bypassing purgatory.
The certificate is called the "Compostela".
"El Camino" to "Santiago de Compostela" is a pilgrimage one can take (google it).
Antonio Marques Sans, I'll be getting in and out of the El Camino. I'll be taking the Roncesvalles route from St. Jean-Pied-du-Port in France. I'll be staying in Pamplona for two days and be at San Igancio Catheral for sure. I'll take day trips to San Sebsstian, Santander, Bilbao, Loiola and Javier (Basque cuisine is my absolute favorite). Next stop will be Laguardia for La Rioja. I'll raise a glass for you. Then on to Burgos, Leon, then Santiago de Compostela…then Finisterrae.
Thanks for the Albarino tip. I'll develop my taste also for augardente.
BTW, if you are in Filipinas just go to the local mercado and you will have your fill and then some for your favorite Pulpo a la Gallega (all Filipinos know how it's cooked…just describe it to them).
Agur!
Hi John in Austria – Thank you so much for reading.
In our family we just do the 9 days on the first year anniversary. The following year and so on just pray there at the grave on the date when the person died. Then go home and have a celebration at the house. But I think some families will do the 9 days prayer every year.
Thank you for stopping by. Take care!
Hi John – Thank you so much. I really appreciate very much that you took some time and see my family in the farm. That really means so much to me and my family. You really a good and caring friend and I love you for that.
Have a great time with your mum there in the UK. Hope to see you soon.
Take care!
Hi Dr. Sponk Long & Antonio Marques Sans – Thank you so much for giving us a lot of knowledge with the prayer and the history.
Good luck to you both on your travels.
I had an almost identical experience with this interesting Roman Catholic tradition when I went home to observe the first anniversary of Mom's passing in 2002. The nine-day prayer culminated with the lowering of the veil, called "babang luksa". A group of prayer ladies came to the house and sat on the living room floor before a makeshift altar, complete with candles, Mom's picture, and a plate of food for Mom's spirit. I sat with them with a veil on top of my head. The lead lady recited the prayers in Ilocano, which I recognized to be the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, and Glory Be, and the rest of the group responded in kind. At the conclusion of this ritual, one of the ladies removed the veil from my head, signifying the end of mourning. Lunch was then served to the guests that filled the yard, composed of the entire barrio, it seemed. Thank you for sharing a wonderful cultural tradition.
I am going to be attending a 1 year anniversary death of a relative of mine. Is it traditional to bring anything to this gathering? Thanks for all the info.
Hi Lia – If you want you can buy food or drinks during the celebration. Or you can just give the money for them to buy the food for you guys to eat.
Take care and God bless!
Thank you very much. I appreciate your help.
Hi Lia – Your very much welcome. I'm glad I could help.
Hi Feyma, have you heard of the first death anniversary novena prayer that it should start the day after he died? For example the death was Feb15 novena should start on Feb16. A relative was really critical why we started 9 days before the death anniversary, saying we kill him before his death day???