In Senegal, Father Joseph Tendeng distinguishes All Saints’ Day from the Day of the Dead
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Seneweb
Father Joseph Tendeng, vicar of the Notre-Dame des Pauvres parish in Tilène, says All Saints’ Day celebrates all saints, known or anonymous, and not the dead. The Catholic feast takes place on 1 November, while the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed is held on 2 November, according to Seneweb.
Father Joseph Tendeng, vicar of the Notre-Dame des Pauvres parish in Tilène, says that All Saints’ Day, celebrated on 1 November, is the feast of all saints, not a day for the dead, according to Seneweb. He distinguishes this Christian solemnity from the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, which is celebrated on 2 November.
The priest says holiness concerns all believers, not only those officially recognised as saints by the Catholic Church. He explains that parishes sometimes organise cemetery visits and the blessing of graves from 1 November because of the large numbers of people attending, although these prayers are normally associated with 2 November, according to Seneweb.
