The Catholic Church has outlined 7 Corporal Works of Mercy, based on Matthew 25: 31-46. One of those Works is to bury the dead. This doesn't mean to physically bury the dead, but to pray for the deceased and visit the grave. Through this Work, we also respect life.
When I went to Knock, Ireland, with my sister-in-law several years ago, we arrived just in time for a Mass...but it was a funeral mass. My SIL nudged me and said, "It's a funeral. Should we be here?" I told her yes, it's what we Catholics do. To me, the funeral mass is one of the most beautiful masses that the Catholic Church offers. It's right up there with Easter Vigil and Midnight Mass. Morbid? Maybe, but the funeral mass is a way to pray for the deceased and the family who is grieving. The actual burial (to me, anyway) is something very private for the family.
It's not easy to bury your loved ones. My husband was cremated (as I will be); his ashes are in the columbarium at the church. My cremains will be placed in the vault with his.
And...that's it. 5 minutes are over just.like.that!
Thank you, Mary, I had not come across the 7 actos of mercy before (I am an Anglican!) It is a lovely idea, which I try to follow but had not seen it expressed in this way before.
ReplyDeleteFunerals are always hard.
ReplyDeleteFMF11
why do you pray for the dead? I don't understand that. Their destiny has already been determined, so what does praying do? Are you just thanking God for the grace he showed in their lives while they were still living? Visiting from FMF16
ReplyDeleteThat is an excellent question, and I welcome it! We believe that very few souls die without any sin on their souls; therefore, they require a period of purification before the Final Judgement to be ready for heaven. We don't know what sins are forgiven and what sins need to be purified (or how long they will be in the purification process); therefore, we pray for ALL souls. Also, we believe that our loved ones who have passed away pray for us, as in the communion of saints. This is scriptural-based: 2Maccabees 12:44-46, 1Corinthians 3:15, and 1Peter 1:7. I hope this helps. You've given me a good idea for a "Why do Catholics Do That" post! :)
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