One of the customs which I have only encountered since attending the Extraordinary Form of Mass is that of having a full Requiem Mass with Absolutions at the Catafalque.
I have been at Novus Ordo Masses which have been offered for the intentions of the deceased person, of course, but in these it seems that the intention is "tacked on" to the Mass being offered anyway. The readings are those of the day, saints and seasons are commemorated as normal - the only thing that tells you that we're praying for a dead person's soul is the Mass intention printed in the bulletin or announced by the priest.
Obviously the actual funeral Mass is for the deceased person's soul... though sometimes there is far too much emphasis on celebrating the person's life, and not enough recognition that the person concerned is now undergoing the purification of Purgatory and is in desperate need of our prayers. I'm not being morbid in this reflection - just practical. St. Bernadette was concerned that people would be so busy thinking her a saint that they would forget to offer prayers for her soul... and she would be "cooking" in Purgatory. If such a great saint expected Purgatory, the rest of us really should prepare to go there too!
There is something very moving about having a Requiem Mass in the Extraordinary Form, especially on a person's anniversary. Today was the anniversary of the death of Fr. Tony Pyle, the previous Parish Priest at Our Lady of the Rosary, Blackfen, and so we had a Missa Cantata. It was beautiful. Yes, I know Mass is always beautiful... but sometimes it hits you more than at other times.
I wonder how many parishes get to have Mass regularly for the souls of former parish priests? We can take our priests for granted, I think, expecting them to be there for us whenever we want the Sacraments, to offer the Sacrifice of the Mass on our behalf... and perhaps we need to pray more for them in return. How often have you prayed for the priest who baptised you? Or the one who heard your first Confession? I know I hardly give them a passing thought, but without them, I wouldn't be here now...
Just something to ponder...
If you're interested, a few more photos from the Requiem can be found on my Flickr page.
You're right, Mac, this is so important! And a requiem with a catafalque is strangely moving. Almost as though the lack, even of a body, brings it home to us more that the dead person is elsewhere...
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent Post, Mac. Thank you for
ReplyDeleteencouraging all of your Readers to actively pray for their PPs (both living and deceased).
I, too, attended today's Requiem Mass for Fr. Tony Pyle and found it extremely beautiful and moving. The solemnity and profundity of this Mass made one realise the enormity of what was being offered.
I liked the point you made, reference praying for the Priest who baptised you and heard your First Confession. I have now added them both to my daily Prayer List, so your Blog has achieved a lot, today.