Cemetery chaplains reflect on Remembrance Month in November
Chaplain of Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum, North Arlington
November, a month of remembrance, a path to heaven
The family of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark recognizes November as the month particularly dedicated to the remembrance of our loved ones who have gone before us in faith, “Because with the Lord there is merciful forgiveness and with Him plentiful redemption.” (Psalm 130).
As chaplain at Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum, sanctified by the graves of the Faithful Departed, the memorials which mark them, I asked loved ones to celebrate All Souls’ Day each Nov. 2 as the Church’s invitation to consider our mortality and the loss of those we love.
The saddest thing about death is its separation. We can easily reconcile ourselves with the fact that death must come, but when it takes out of our life a parent, spouse, sibling, child, family member, or beloved friend, the grief we feel can be sharp.
Anytime we cannot look upon the face, hear the voice, or sense the touch of someone whose life was intimately connected with our own, our hearts flood with sentiments of sorrow. But remembering the Holy Souls and visiting their graves can bring us profound religious consolation. It reminds us how closely we are united with our departed friends and family.
We pray for the dead precisely because we believe that through our penitence from the Holy Mass, prayerful sacrifices, and our intentions, we can alleviate the suffering of Souls who can no longer pray for themselves. The beautiful thing is that the Poor Souls can intercede for us, even while meriting nothing for themselves.
Our belief in Purgatory is not meant to frighten us but rather emphasize the bond of mutual helpfulness binding those whom death has separated. Even though death has taken them out of our natural lives, praying for those who have entered eternal life keeps them close in mind and heart.
Purgatory is a part of God’s infinite Mercy to the children He created and desires to save. Which one of us can honestly say that “I am ready to go before the judgment seat of God in my present state of soul?”
The fact is, even great saints in history believed in atoning for their sins. It is precisely because of their example of profound humility and heroic virtue that we honor them as saints.
That is why November begins with All Saints’ Day when we celebrate God’s masterpieces, those Christians who achieved spiritual perfection and have entered Heaven. All Souls’ Day is no less beautiful or meaningful. The world’s Catholics are praying that God grant rest to His “works in progress,” those who died in friendship with Christ but have not yet reached eternal perfection.
God has taken them into His “spiritual hospital,” where He is healing and purifying them from the wounds caused by their sins here on earth. This purification is not just for the benefit of the deceased, according to the Church, but for ours. Praying for them helps speed up their recovery and hasten their full entry into the joys of Heaven.
Father Paul Houlis
Chaplain of Gate of Heaven Cemetery & Mausoleum, East Hanover
We can all be saints
November, the Month of Remembrance, fittingly begins with All Saints’ Day every first of November. We Catholics remember and honor the entire “cloud of witnesses” already in Heavenly glory.
However, and this is most important, this day doesn’t exist just for us to think about a group of people who were so extraordinarily holy and far removed from our human condition. No! Above all, this day exists to give witness to us that sainthood is possible, not just for a few, but for all.
We are all called to be saints. We “all” are “all called” to be among “all saints.” The Church teaches about the universal call to holiness for all the baptized.
Holiness and sanctity are not just for a few. Sure, some are given extraordinary gifts of holiness to encourage us about the reality of God’s earthly powers, but “all” are provided the grace to be holy in ordinary ways with extraordinary love.
Sanctity is not for the perfect. Instead, a saint knows just how imperfect they are and allows God to love them perfectly in their imperfection. That’s something we can all do. So, who says you can’t be a saint? God says, “You can!”
Father Dave Sison
Chaplain of St. Gertrude Cemetery & Mausoleum, Colonia
What is cemetery Sunday?
Have you heard about Cemetery Sunday? Do you know what it means?
In 1978, the National Catholic Cemetery Conference proposed that Cemetery Sunday be observed on the 1st Sunday of November.
Cemetery Sunday tells us “what God expects us to do.” God expects us to remember and respect those who have gone before us.
Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark sponsored the celebration of the Cemetery Sunday, Nov. 6, with A Memorial Concert in Honor of the Faithfully Departed performed at the Cathedral Basilica of Sacred Heart in Newark.
The concert featured Requiem by Maurice Duruflé with a performance by The Cathedral Choir, Soloists, Orchestra, John Miller-Conductor, and Kristin Dabaghian-organist. It was intended to provide comfort and consolation for all who have lost a loved one. Anita Foley presented a pre-concert lecture, “The Future Does Have a Name, and Its Name is Hope,” at the Cathedral.
Last Sunday, at the parish where I reside, St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Linden, I attended a Parish Meet and Greet. It’s an event where Memorial Planning Advisors from Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark introduce parishioners to the cemetery ministry and the benefits of pre-planning. I shared how the scriptural readings give us a glimpse of what happens after death. I also pointed to the truth about Heaven.
Cemetery Sunday is significant for us who believe in the Resurrection of the Dead. Let us pray for all our beloved dead as we remember their memories embedded in our hearts.
I often reflect upon my memories of Father Paul Lehman, my former Spiritual Director. He was instrumental in my journey to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Newark. Father Paul taught me the importance of a consistent prayer life. He reminded me always to surrender to God’s will and allow the Holy Spirit to work in me. I pray for his love and support daily.
Featured photo: Maryrest Cemetery & Mausoleum. (File Photo)
