Members of the Mount Saint Mary College community recently gathered in the Kaplan Family Mathematics, Science and Technology Center to commemorate Día de los Muertos – Day of the Dead – with a traditional memorial altar presented by the Dominican Scholars of Hope.
The display, adorned with marigold garland, sugar skulls, framed photographs, and candles, created space for students, faculty, and staff to remember and celebrate deceased loved ones.
Fr. Gregoire Fluet, Vice president for Mission and Student Affairs and campus chaplain, led the gathering in prayer, blessing the altar and offering reflections on memory, eternal life, and faith.
Rooted in Mexican and Latin American traditions, the Day of the Dead blends indigenous customs with Catholic remembrances of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. The event encouraged the campus community to engage with diverse cultural practices while celebrating life and continuity beyond loss.
The Dominican Scholars of Hope is a non-academic living-learning community for highly motivated students that is rooted in the Dominican heritage of Mount Saint Mary College. Guided by the four pillars of Dominican higher education – study, spirituality, community, and service – the program cultivates the intellectual, moral, and spiritual capacities of students through reflection activities, field trips, group projects, and extensive community service.