Posted on 01/19/2006 8:10:33 AM PST by franky
In 1989 the Vatican published the revised Order of Christian Funerals (OCF) for the United States. The long-standing prohibition of eulogies at Catholic funerals was again upheld and restated.
"A brief homily based on the readings should always be given at the funeral liturgy, but never any kind of eulogy." [OCF # 141] In the revised General Instruction of the Roman Missal promulgated by John Paul II in year 2000 (GIRM 2000), this prohibition of eulogies was again restated: "At the Funeral Mass there should, as a rule, be a short homily, but never a eulogy of any kind."
The firm belief of the Catholic Church is that the Christian funeral is not a celebration of the life of the person who has died, even though we honor and express gratitude for all God?s gifts to that person. "The funeral liturgy is a celebration of salvation and mercy, of grace and eternal life. It is not meant to be a commemoration (much less a canonization) of the person who has died. Extended remembering of the deceased often results in forgetting the Lord." (Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk) While the presider is to keep in mind with delicate sensitivity not only the identity of the deceased and the circumstances of the death, but also the grief of the bereaved, the focus of the Christian funeral rite is the saving mystery of Jesus? death and resurrection.
Attentive to the grief of those present, the homilist should dwell on God?s compassionate love and on the Paschal Mystery of the Lord, as proclaimed in the Scripture readings. (OCF 27).
(Excerpt) Read more at bssky.org ...
I wonder why.
What?!? Never heard of such. And the point is?
I don't understand, why ban ukelele' what does anyone have against music ... OHHHH, never mind.
At a Catholic funeral the eulogy is NOT given during the Mass. However it is given at the end of the Mass (usually by a family member).
Also -- if a Rosary or wake is held the night before -- all are free to express their opinions about the deceased in that setting.
"And the point is?"
Click the link. He explains.
Every Catholic funeral I have ever been to has been a Canonization.
"I am sure Uncle Joe is in Heaven right now smiling."
That explains a great deal about Catholic funerals I've attended. Thanks for posting it.
The better place for such things is the viewing.
My cousin's funeral had a banner that said "Welcome Home!", for he had gone to be with the Lord.
* I am sure your cousin was a nice person, but the Lord warned us not to judge souls.
One danger in this "celebration of life" bs we Catholics have fallen for is that once the individual is thought of in that way those he left behind don't bother to pray for his soul which, far more likely than not, is undergoing Purgation, which cleansing is advanced by our prayers and works on earth. In short, our Catholic funerals ruptures our family. It severs the connection of the Church Militant and the Church Suffering and I guarantee the Church Triumphant (saints in Heaven) are not amused
Now if this would be enforced, that would be a good thing.
This must be a politely ignored party-line item. I attended a Catholic funeral last fall and the priest said a fine eulogy.
"This must be a politely ignored party-line item."
There are a whole bunch of things the Church teaches that the local hierarchs have ignored. That makes truth no less true. The heresy at work is called "Modernism". Pius X called it the embrace of all heresies. It is the attempt (like all heresies) to twist Truth into convenience. If we all can be saved (and we can!), well then aren't we all saved?
The Modern Church exemplifies the 'do as I say, not as I do' dilemna. They try to hold to the Truth while also trying to be "Modern". Since the "Modern" view is to "celebrate the life" rather than to celebrate the Divinity, well, that's what they do.
Pray for them.
Is it not possible to celebrate the Divine and the life of the deceased? I just don't see any conflict, I mean it is the poor guys funeral afterall. I'm not sure it has to be either or.
We are all sinners. We celebrate the Mystery of the Resurrection - "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life", not the man. When I die, what will they celebrate? My life? What a small and tiny thing. Praise God, not me.
"I am sure Uncle Joe is in Heaven right now smiling."
I'm sure it's true. That is until Uncle Joe gets the bad news from The Judge.
Ok, that makes more sense. Thanks for clearing it up for me.
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