August 25, 2003
Now Hear This!
Just a brief lunchtime screed about funerals:
I just read on Gerard's Blog about the rarity of priests wearing black vestments at funerals. It also makes me think of the typical "instant canonization" homilies that are so common in the average funeral these days.
So, if any of you happen to be around when they are burying me, you might want to warn the priest that he had better: wear black vestments, preach about Purgatory and Hell, make sure that someone chants the ENTIRE sequence Dies Irae.
I hate happy go-lucky sunshine funerals. They are supposed to make everyone feel better, but I think they fail in that they ignore the real grief and sense of loss that everyone feels. Also, if Purgatory, Hell, and Confession are not mentioned, a terrific catechetical opportunity is lost, especially if the deceased is young. I am not being ghoulish, but we all tend to live like we will have plenty of time.
Oh, I should go to confession, but, well, it's such a nice day, maybe I'll make it next Saturday. Well, maybe you will, and maybe you will be killed as you drunkenly plow into the highway divider, taking a family of 5 down with you. Then where will you be? Not in any place you want to be in! But if you had gone to confession, restored your life in a state of Grace, you might have been better able to resist that fourth martini!
Hmmm. I seem to be sounding more like my grandmother, but there is a good point there.
And it is not a point being made enough from the pulpit (pulpit?!? When was the last time you were preached to from a pulpit?).
Back to my pork sandwich.
Posted by erik at August 25, 2003 1:55 PM | TrackBackI totally agree that it is really not helpful to trivialize death. In the Christian tradition, death is an evil enemy. You might like to read an Easter article I wrote on death and resurrection at http://crossroadsinitiative.com/library_article/18/Easter___Joy_of_the_Season.html
God bless!
Marcellino D'Ambrosio
Ann,
That is part of the problem. Catholic funerals are most certainly for the benefit of the deceased (as well as the living). We are charged with praying for the souls of the faithful departed in their purgation towards final theosis. To neglect this duty is a tremendous failing. Unfortunately many Catholics, including (scandalously) priests, either have forgotten this or, even worse, do not believe in the reality of Purgatory (or the Eastern equivalent - I will not get into the difference in Latin versus Byzantine conception of this right now). So they are taking the view that a funeral is for the living. Since the Church is made up of living and deceased members, all of our liturgies are for the living and the dead. It is a real shame that this element is neglected.
Posted by: Erik Keilholtz at August 27, 2003 12:39 PMI haven't been to a Christian funeral in a long time, but I don't think I've ever been to a "happy go-lucky sunshine" Buddhist funeral. I've always been told that funerals and the million memorial services we have are for the living, not the deceased. It's all about our grief and healing and togetherness since the deceased is already being taken care of. But then again, the Buddhists don't have Purgatory, Hell and Confession.
Posted by: ann at August 27, 2003 12:11 PMAlicia,
I always use the Gregorian Chant notation, but I think that there may be a modern transcription in one of the Norton Anthologies. Tonight is Amália's birthday party, and Wednesday is Lectura Dantis so I will not have a chance to do some digging until Thursday.
As for recordings, I am not too big a fan of Gregorian chant recordings. Often they just sound too dead. Some are ok, but ripped out of context, they lose something. Let me think about it.
Posted by: Erik Keilholtz at August 26, 2003 10:10 AMFrom your mouth to the Priest's ears.
I have lately given serious thought to getting one of those funeral planning booklets, and writing it all down for whomever has to handle the details.
Erik - can you recommend a good recording of the Dies Irae? or do you know where I can find the sheet music written in western notation?
Bravo, my friend. I think what we are seeing with modern funerals is another manifestation of "liturgy-is-all-about-us-the-wonderful-people-of-God". Hence, comfort and consolation for the living takes precedence over prayer and penance for the departed sinner.