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Christmas: a season of mixed emotions for families mourning the death of their loved ones
By Ferdinand G. Patinio

MANILA, Dec. 22 (PNA) -- While Christmas is a happy season for most Filipino families, an official of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM) said it is a painful season particularly for families whose loved ones have recently died

According to Fr. Carmelo Arada Jr., assistant commissioner of the RCAM’s Commission on Liturgy, the annual celebration is also a special time for Filipinos to gather as a family.

“Yung Pasko para sa mga Pilipino talagang it is an occasion to gather as a family, kaya it is also in Christmas, it is a happy season but it is also a painful season especially those who have just died that year. Yung iba they celebrate Christmas by maintaining an empty chair in the dining table to remember na di siya nawawala sa pamilya,” he said.

The Catholic priest added, “Masayang pantheon ng Pasko pero sa maraming tao malungkot din, halimbawa yung mga nanay at tatay na nagkaroon na ng sari-sariling pamilya at anak nila, so it is a lonely Christmas for them.”

With this, Arada noted that Christmas, the day Jesus Christ was born should also remind the people that life is short and the occasion should not only allow them to be good but also year round.

“Ngayon reality 'yan na talagang mainly lang ang buhay, Christmas is a reminder for us na life is short, life is fleeting, hindi lang Pasko 'yung pagiging mabuting tao, we do it the entire year because maikli lang ang buhay, life is short and fleeting,” he explained.

Arada said that during holidays and all other special occasions, he visits his mother at the cemetery to pay respect and “to recognize the role of his mother in becoming a priest.”

“Ako pumupunta ako ng sementeryo, sa nanay ko. Ako lahat, actually hanggang ngayon I go to my mother every week kahit very short lang na visit, during significant occasions, birthday, anniversary, Pasko, I celebrate my first Mass of the day sa tomb ng nanay ko,” he said.

The RCAM official added, “Actually kapag pumupunta ako sa sementeryo ang daming tao kahit walang okasyon eh, dun sila nagpipiknik, dun sila. ‘Yung parang recognition din natin yan na death does not end our relationships, our love for each other. Death does not cancel Christmas. Kasi hindi ba minsan kapag namatayan kayo, ayoko nang mag Pasko. Yung paniniwala natin na even beyond death, there is love.” (PNA)

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