40 Days Commemoration

Today is the 40th day after the passing of Ate Cristy. Special prayers will be recited for the repose of her soul, with a reception to follow at St. George Hall in Seattle. The 40th day commemoration is a Catholic practice. I am not sure of the origin of this custom, so I did some searches in the internet. The number 40 figures significantly in western religions. Forty days was the period from the resurrection of Jesus to the ascension of Jesus. Before the temptation of Christ, Jesus fasted "forty days and forty nights" in the wilderness. In modern Christian practice, Lent consists of the 40 days preceding Easter. Rain fell for "forty days and forty nights" during Noah's flood. The dead are usually mourned for forty days in Muslim cultures.

I also found the following excerpts about forty days after death: It seem to be an attempt to modify the doctrine of purgatory in that the faithful are asked to pray for the deceased soul for 40 days after death during which time they traverse the natural and supernatural worlds, according to a Russian Orthodox tradition. Catholic dogma is more clear. Particular judgment occurs at death. The soul goes to heaven, hell, or purgatory.

Nonetheless, if there is such a thing as afterlife because of how Ate Cristy's lived her life, I have no doubt she is in Heaven -- whether immediately after her death or 40 days afterward. Although I am not very religious, I will still say my prayers for Ate Cristy's soul.

I was not able to share some of the pictures I have of Ate Cristy for display during her Rosary and funeral. I was doing countless other things and I wasn't able to provide them to Michael in a timely manner. The following are a few of these pictures. Pictures are of the happy times with her.

Ate Cristy and CJ - Christmas 2006.



Ate Cristy with Agnes and Suzette during James' birthday and Halloween party, 2004.



Watching a friendly family poker game - New Year's Day party 2005.



Pink power with Mia during Salia's and Payton's birthday party, November 2004.



With Agnes during 2004 Thanksgiving party.



With her siblings and other relatives, April 2006 in the Philippines.



With the always sleeping Mng. Edgie, January 2006 during Jabok's and Kojack's b-day party.



With Mng. Edgie, Philippines, April 2006.




Up to no good with Agnes - camping at Nehalem State Park, OR, June 2008.



Family Camping - Ocean City, WA, August 2005.



Mng. Eden's b-day party, July 2005.



With me, Jun, and Jopets at Grace & Jason's wedding, September 2009.



With Jojie, May 2009.



In front of Cuyapo's Catholic Church, April 2006.



Packed like sardines on our way to Baguio, Apr 2006.



At Jayan's christening, June 2009.



Family camping at 25-Mile Creek, WA, July 2009.