Ofrendas at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine

Join us for a guided tour of the Day of the Dead Ofrendas at the Cathedral Church of St John the Divine and participate in the Calavera (skulls) card dedicating and coloring and button-making workshop.

The tour and workshop will take place immediately after the Sunday Mass.

Schedule:

10:30 am - Holy Eucharist

11:45 am - Guided Tour: Ofrendas and the Day of the Dead

12 pm - Workshop: color and dedicate skulls cards and create a button in honor of the holiday

In this guided tour, Juan Aguirre will discuss the history of the Day of the Dead and the significance of the ofrendas (altars).

 Cathedral's visiting artist Sebastián Gámez created the ofrendas. The altars will be in on display throughout November.

Refreshments will be served.

About the presenters

Sebastián Gámez is a Mexican-American, New York City-based Fashion Designer and Artist. Originally from Los Angeles, he relocated to NYC at the end of 2001. With over twenty years in the fashion industry, he has designed for some of the largest US retailers.

As a result of never-ending requests for his fashion advice and expertise, Sebastián left the corporate fashion world and launched his own consulting business in 2013. This has allowed him the flexibility to pursue other creative endeavors, including theatrical costume design, art direction, and art installations such as the ofrendas he constructed and are currently on exhibit at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

Juan Aguirre is the Executive Director of Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders. He teaches and leads workshops, lecture demonstrations, and talks on Mexican culture and traditions.

About the Cathedral of St. John the Divine

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine is the Cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and is chartered as a house of prayer for all people and a unifying center of intellectual light and leadership. It serves the many diverse people of the Diocese, City, Nation and World through an array of liturgical, cultural and civic events; pastoral, educational and community outreach activities; and maintains the preservation of the great architectural and historic site that is its legacy.

About the Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead has been one of Mexico's most important festivals since pre-Hispanic times. It is a time for families to gather and welcome the souls of the dead on their annual visit home. Cempasúchil (marigold) flowers, burning copal incense, fresh pan de muertos bread, candles, sugar skulls, photographs, and mementos of the departed adorn special altars. In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is celebrated over an entire week with the preparation of altars, foods, dance, music, and special offerings for people who have died.

Downloads

Pan de Muerto Bread Recipe

Sugar Skull Recipe

Color Sugar Skulls