By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Over thousands of Catholics on Friday thronged the Laitumkhrah Cemetery to commemorate the ‘All Souls Day’, as a mark of remembrance to all the departed soul of their family members, friends and loved ones.
Decorated with flowers, beautifully lit with candles and prayers offered, the graveyards on Friday wore a festive yet solemn atmosphere with catholic believers thronged the tombs of their near and dear ones, with an intention to rekindle the bond of eternal love between the living and the ‘dear departed’.
A day of feast celebrated by the Roman Catholics, All Souls Day is an opportunity for believers to remember all the saints and martyrs, known and unknown, throughout Christian history.
Colourful flowers, petals and garlands adorn tombstones and crosses, with music and hymns reverberate through the air while innumerous candles light up the evening in solemn remembrance.
Besides the Roman Catholics, other Catholic Churches and people from other religious background too observe the day.
In Shillong, besides the Christian faithful, people from the other communities too, visit the cemeteries on this day to observe All Soul’s Day.
Further, the priests celebrated this day by wearing a vestment of varying colours including black which indicates mourning, violet symbolising penance or white symbolising the hope of resurrection.
“The significance of celebrating this day is to make sure that the souls of those who have died reach heaven,” says Archbishop Rev Dominic Jala.
Meanwhile, one of the elderly Hindu lady said “I make it a habit to visit the graveyard on All Souls’ Day every year as the celebrations are truly touching and holy”.