We Catholics have lots of holidays that we observed. Two of them are Nov 1 and 2, All Saints Day and All Souls Day. During those two holidays, we go to the cemetery to pray and give respect to our departed love ones. We give votives and at the same time it serves as a family reunion. We see relatives there that we don’t see anymore.

Votives are a form of prayers. In Catholics, these are more in the form of votive candles. We buy it in the church and light it up with a specific prayer. It can be a wish or a dedication. When I was a kid, I thought it was a shortcut to God. Your candle represents your prayer and when you light it your prayer goes up in smoke all the way to God.