St. Boniface - Bulletin, current week

As we continue in this month of All Souls, I wanted to speak about the importance of each of the liturgical steps in the process of commending our brothers and sisters to God. Something that is not known to most people, I believe, is the fact that our rites begin before the loved one has died. Our rites for commending our brothers and sisters to God begin as they are dying.

The times when people have thought to call me and ask me to come over have truly been times of grace. It is best if I am aware that the person is dying as soon as they and their family do so that, if they are conscious and able to take food by mouth, I can give them communion as viaticum, that is, “food for the journey”. This may be days or even weeks before the person dies, but it allows them and the family to be truly prepared. As death draws near I am very happy to make visits especially in the hours before death.

Immediately after the person has died there are still more prayers to be offered for the deceased as well as for the family. It is not a bad thing to call and ask me to come over, even if I have only just left! I might note that this is not the time to ask for “last rites”, more properly referred to as the sacrament of anointing of the sick, since sacraments are for those still living in the flesh. There are however very beautiful prayers and blessings that may still be offered for those who have just recently died.

A very little used rite is for the occasion when the family first views the body before the wake. This also is a very comforting ritual which either I or Sr. Rosemary would be happy to offer when asked.

It is unfortunate that it has become more frequent for families, especially of the very old, to dispense with holding a wake. There are many reasons for their decision to do this, but it is unfortunate because the wake is the time when we are able to focus more directly on the person who has passed. This is the time for sharing stories about how they have touched our lives and the time to eulogize our loved ones. This is a wonderful time to share a favorite poem or song (especially songs of a non-liturgical nature) and other such things.

Unlike many protestant funerals (or recent Kennedy funerals), the funeral Mass is the time in which we profess and celebrate our faith in God’s forgiveness and in the cross and resurrection of Christ. While we celebrate the person’s life at the wake, we celebrate what Christ has done for that person and for us in His passion, death, and resurrection. We offer the Mass for the forgiveness of sins and commend our loved one to His mercy. The focus is on Christ, while the reason for this celebration of faith is the loved one who has “fallen asleep in Christ”.

Finally, the burial gives closure to these rites. In the burial rite we express our belief in the resurrection of the body, as we profess each Sunday in the creed. We lay our loved one to rest until the last day when all shall rise from the grave to stand before the glory of God “body and soul”.

These rites in which we commend our loved ones to God are a beautiful and complete whole. I would ask that we use them well and fully so that in these times of trial and grief we may all better know and experience the love of our Father in heaven.

Pray Well ! Fr. Klos

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