The Spirit's Journey

 

While not on most tourists’ “must see” list, visiting a burial ground can be quite interesting. 

Here, in a cemetery in Puerto Rico, one was intrigued by a belief long-held by islanders. 

Since 1863, Cementerio Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis in San Juan has been a burial place

for many Puerto Ricans.  Historically, Spanish culture viewed death with superstition and fear.  

The cemetery’s oceanfront location is said to have been chosen to enable the spirit to peacefully  

move beyond death to the afterlife.  Here, the spirit is thought to be calmed by the natural sound  

 of the ocean and the quiet beauty of soulful marble sculptures.  The vast expanse of the ocean 

reaching the horizon and “touching” the heavens is seen as connecting our earthly world with 

the hereafter, offering one’s spirit clear, safe passage to the distant, ethereal afterlife.

A comforting setting for those fearing death and what may follow.

                                                                                       

                                                                                                    

 

-------<O>-------