Undas Traditions: How Filipinos Honor Saints and Souls
As November begins, the Philippines comes alive with light and laughter. Families reunite, candles flicker through the night, and the air fills with the scent of flowers and home-cooked meals. This is Undas, the Filipino way of remembering the departed.
At the heart of this observance are two sacred days: All Saints’ Day on November 1 and All Souls’ Day on November 2.
Both are rooted in Catholic tradition introduced during Spanish colonization, yet they have evolved into something deeply Filipino. And together, they remind us that remembrance is an act of mourning and a celebration of life and legacy.
All Saints’ Day: Honoring the Holy
While these days are often celebrated together, they hold different meanings. All Saints’ Day, also known as Araw ng mga Santo, is dedicated to honoring various saints who have lived virtuously and with faith. It is a day of thanksgiving and inspiration, reminding Filipinos to emulate the holiness of those who came before.
Filipinos mark the day by attending mass and lighting candles in gratitude and devotion. In some provinces, fiestas and processions are held to honor patron saints. Additionally, church bells ring throughout the day, celebrating the holiness and inspiration the saints bring to every believer’s life.
Standard practices on All Saints’ Day include:
- Attending mass or a novena in honor of the saints
- Lighting candles as a symbol of gratitude and devotion
- Joining fiestas and processions in provinces honoring patron saints
- Listening to church bells ringing throughout the day
- Reflecting on the lives of saints for guidance and inspiration
All Souls’ Day: Remembering the Departed
If All Saints’ Day celebrates the holy, All Souls’ Day or Araw ng mga Patay, speaks directly to the heart. It is when families gather to remember and pray for their departed loved ones, especially those souls still believed to be journeying toward eternal life.
Cemeteries become places of reunion rather than sorrow—filled with shared food, stories, laughter, and prayers that keep memories alive.
Traditional Filipino practices include:
- Visiting cemeteries and cleaning graves weeks before Undas
- Lighting candles for hours for the souls of the departed
- Offering flowers and food (atang or hain)
- Holding prayers, rosaries, and masses for loved ones
- Sharing meals and stories that celebrate the lives of the departed
- Reuniting different generations in remembrance
- Blending Christian beliefs with ancestral customs and respect for spirits
Tradition in Transition
Modern times have changed how Filipinos observe Undas, but the spirit remains unchanged. Many families now visit cemeteries ahead of time to avoid the heavy crowds and traffic. Others use electric or battery-operated candles for safety and practicality.
Online tributes have also become common, with families sharing digital memorials, posting prayers, or even “lighting” virtual candles through apps and social media. Some even change their profile pictures to honor their departed loved ones. It is a modern gesture of timeless remembrance.
Moreover, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) join through live streams or video calls, proving that remembrance transcends distance. Undas continues to reflect Filipino values of faith, love, and unity despite these modern touches.
More than Mourning
Undas is more than just a mourning—it is a celebration of love that lasts. It reminds every Filipino that death does not end connection but strengthens it through memory and faith. Hope is in every candle lit, whispered prayer, and story retold.
Filipinos keep their faith alive and their families united by honoring both the saints and the souls. Indeed, remembrance, like love, never fades.
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