Woo Catholic, Wooster’s Newman Community, collaborated with the Latinx Student Organization to create an ofrenda in celebration of Dia de los Muertos also known as Day of the Dead. The festivities for this celebration unfold over two days, November 1-2, in an explosion of color and life-affirming joy. While the theme is death, the point is to demonstrate love and respect for deceased family members.
One of the Day of the Dead traditions is the creation of a family altar called the ofrenda. The ofrenda is an altar created in the home by family members to honor their deceased members. On the top of the ofrenda the family lays out offerings or items that the spirits will enjoy when they come back to earth to visit their living family and friends. These items include photos of the deceased and, food and drink that they liked in life. Every ofrenda also includes the four elements; water, wind, earth and fire. Water is left in a pitcher so the spirits can quench their thirst. Candles are left burning. Papel picado are traditional paper banners that represent the wind.