Hornitos recognizes Dia De Los Muertos

A collection of marigolds, luminarias and fruits painted a picturesque setting at the old Hornitos cemetery Sunday night as hundreds of people gathered to pay respect to the dead during the annual observance of Dia de los Muertos, or All Souls Day.

The Mexican tradition gathers families together Nov. 2 every year to remember and pray for those who have left before them.

This year, Fr. Steve Bulfer of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mariposa led the candlelight procession to the cemetery behind St. Catherine’s Catholic Church. Bulfer explained that the parade of silent prayer is a gesture symbolic of a communal experience of faith. The journey that people take up the lighted path represents the journey of faith -- a journey that no one takes alone, he said.

Once at the cemetery, the crowd gathered around the grave of Candelaria de Sapien, an early Hornitos resident who is credited with reviving the Mexican tradition in Mariposa County. At the foot of her grave, Bulfer officiated the Blessing of the Cemetery and asked participants to set their candles on unlit graves.

Many made the trek dressed in charro suits and folkloric dresses, illustrative of Mexican culture. Kerman resident Carmelita Murrieta, wore a customized skirt that had a spray-painted portrait of her mother and her ancestor Joaquin Murrieta, also known as the Mexican Robin Hood during the California Gold Rush. As a descendant of Joaquin Murrieta, Carmelita explained that for her it was an honor to pay respect to her ancestor in the the town that at one point offered him shelter.

“Joaquin Murrieta was a “patrio” (patriot), he used to pass through this town...he had friends here,” she said.

“During the procession you feel the peace and the unity of this community, it really is such a wonderful experience,” Murrieta added.

For Yvette Coronado of Fresno, Dia de los Muertos is an all-day family event. “We start early, we eat, we paint our faces, and we make the hour-plus drive here.” This year was Coronado’s sixth time attending All Souls Day in Hornitos. “I pray for my nana -- my grandmother. Once we’re all up on the hill, it’s peaceful, it’s tranquil...it’s something we look forward to all year.”

Similarly, Misti Tovar of Atwater, has been attending the All Souls Day in Hornitos for about nine years. For her, making the trip to the foothills is part of keeping alive a family tradition that was instilled in her as a young girl. “I’ve been coming here for years now and each year it seems to get bigger...it’s nice that the younger generations are becoming interested and keep this going,” she said.

Tovar, who brought family and friends from Los Angeles with her for the event, said it’s a time to get extended family together and pray for their loved ones who have passed. For Tovar, it’s important not only to celebrate souls, but to learn and share the history and significance behind Dia de Los Muertos. “Why we dress this way, why we paint our faces...it’s a way to embrace death,” she said. “We are not afraid of death, it’s a part of being, it’s a part of life, and that’s why we celebrate it.”

This story was originally published November 4, 2014 at 5:39 PM with the headline "Hornitos recognizes Dia De Los Muertos."