Cemeteries in the Porto Alegre metropolitan region have announced special programming for All Souls' Day on Nov. 2. The three cemeteries managed by the Porto Alegre city government will operate on special hours, while other locations will remain open without closing at midday.
In Porto Alegre, Cardinal Dom Jaime Spengler, archbishop of the city and president of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB), will lead the traditional open-air religious celebration in the parking lot of the Santa Casa de Misericórdia Cemetery, in partnership with the São Miguel e Almas Cemetery. The João XXIII Cemetery opens at 7 a.m. and will unveil another mural by artist Tiago Berao. Its Mural da Memória and Pássaros panel, both works by the artist, are on permanent display on the cemetery's main circulation floor. The Jardim da Paz Cemetery brings together different branches of Christianity and will host Masses at different times as well as Protestant, Evangelical, Lutheran and Adventist services.
The Santa Casa Cemetery schedule begins at 8:45 a.m. with a performance by the Santa Casa Choir in the Quadro Nobre, followed by the 10 a.m. open-air celebration led by Cardinal Spengler. At João XXIII, the program includes the delivery of a tribute room at 9 a.m., the mural delivery at 9:30 a.m. for the 125th anniversary of ACM-RS, painted by Tiago Berao, Marília Ludwig and Rafael Lobato, and a religious celebration at the ecumenical altar at 10 a.m.
The São João Cemetery will hold a 10 a.m. Mass led by Auxiliary Bishop Dom Juarez Albino Destro, with another celebration at 4 p.m.; the site is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. At São Miguel e Almas, the 10 a.m. open-air Mass will take place in the Santa Casa parking lot. A 3:30 p.m. Mass at São Miguel Church will be celebrated by Padre Carlos Jose Monteiro Steffen, followed by a procession and blessing of the tombs near the galleries. Visitors can also visit the Via Sacra, and special services include a music environment for reflection and grief counseling.
The Jardim da Paz Cemetery has Masses scheduled at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. and at 1, 3 and 4 p.m., plus a 5 p.m. moment of faith and reflection. Protestant services are set for 8:30 a.m. with the Evangelical Community of Porto Alegre, noon with the Evangelical Lutheran Community and 2 p.m. with the Adventist Church. The program also includes a health blessing by Franciscan friars, hair donations through Tesoura Solidária/RS for wigs for cancer patients, guidance from VIAMAMA, a breast cancer support and prevention group from Viamão, and support for mourners from GRAV. Paróquia Nossa Senhora da Glória will hold a 10 a.m. Mass.
In Canoas, the municipal cemeteries Santo Antônio, Chácara Barreto and Estância Velha will be open for visits from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. without closing at midday. The São Vicente Cemetery will feature a petal shower at 10:20 a.m., Mass at 10:30 a.m., Reiki at 11:30 a.m., a Spiritist meeting with Coral Vozes Fraternas at 2 p.m., a Gaucho Mass at 3 p.m. and a Palavras de Luz meeting at 4 p.m. It will also offer live music, health and pet blessings, a pet adoption space, a kids space and flower sales.
In Guaíba, the Municipal Cemetery will hold a 9 a.m. Mass in front of the cemetery, a 10 a.m. Office of the Blessed Souls of Purgatory and a 10:30 a.m. Rosary inside the cemetery. Paróquia Nossa Senhora da Paz in Guaíba has scheduled a 6:30 p.m. Rosary, a 7 p.m. Office of the Souls of Purgatory and a 7:30 p.m. Mass.
Sources: G1.