During this month of the Poor Souls, we are reminded to pray for those who have gone before us in faith. Whenever we lose someone we love, we always wonder what happens to them. I often wonder what they might be experiencing at the moment when people have gathered for the funeral Mass. I think it is a moment when the one who has died is experiencing the fullness of God’s love even though they may not yet be united to Him totally in the kingdom of heaven.
The funeral Mass is the first Mass to be offered for that person who had died, and it is very important, yet so often it is omitted because the family does not want to be bothered. They would much rather have something shorter and in some cases nothing at all save a few prayers at the grave. If only they knew what they were depriving their loved one of. In other cases, it is the one who has died who leaves instructions that they want no wake and no funeral Mass because they do not want their loved one to go through the grieving as if shortening the process or eliminating it all together will diminish their grief. They will still grieve and without the funeral rites their grief will be longer and not shorter. I would dare to say that when someone dies and leaves instructions that there should be no wake or funeral Mass will undoubtedly regret their instructions as in death, they will realize how much they need and desire the prayers of the Church. If a loved one of mine should ever make such a request I would acknowledge their request when they make it, but for their own good I would have to disregard it when they die and make sure that they receive all the prayers the Church has to offer. This is how important our prayers for the dead are even if we do not realize it in the present.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us:
1030 All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.
1031 Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.606 The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:607 (954, 1472)
1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: “Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.”609 From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.610 The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead: (958, 1371, 1479)
Let us help and commemorate them. If Job’s sons were purified by their father’s sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.
This month of the Poor Souls is a wonderful time for us to reflect on the mystery of death in our Catholic Faith; our own and that of our brothers and sisters. Let us do so in the light of the teachings of the Scriptures and the Church and not let ourselves be taken in by the popular thought of death and our society’s obvious fear of it.
Tomorrow, November 11, is Veterans Day, a day on which we remember all those who have served our country in preservation of our God-given freedoms. Many men and women have bravely served our country and even fought to save our freedom by laying down their lives for the good of all of us. We thank God for these good people who served and continue to serve this great nation of ours. May God continue to Bless America!
With the election behind us, President Trump will be our 47th President, keep praying for the good of our country. We must commit ourselves to pray for all our leaders and for one another that we look more to God for the guidance and strength we need to always be the people He created us to be. May the peace of God truly live in our hearts and in our lives. Pray for one another!
