Mass of Remembrance

From Fr. Michael Garry

During the month of November we are especially mindful to pray for the dead. This coming weekend (Nov. 5th) the 11:15am Mass at St. Francis is our annual Mass of Remembrance, and both St. Francis and All Saints have a book of remembrance in which to write the names of the deceased who have died over this past year.

To incentivize us to pray for the dead, remember that every day from November 1st through the 8th a plenary indulgence is available. In the Manual for Indulgences we read, “A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who, on any and each day from November 1 to 8, devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, if only mentally, for the departed.” What that means is that we can obtain a plenary indulgence for our beloved dead once per day from November 1 to 8, provided that we devoutly visit a cemetery and say a prayer. We would also be required to make a Confession, receive Holy Communion, and say a prayer for the pope’s intentions, preferably on the day we receive the indulgence but not necessarily so, otherwise within several days (about 20) before or after the cemetery visit. One Confession suffices for multiple indulgences, but separate reception of Holy Communion and prayers for the pope’s intention are required. The prayer for the pope’s intention is left to the choice of the faithful, but an Our Father and a Hail Mary are suggested.

Of course for us modern folk, the reasons behind the doctrine of indulgences are not immediately obvious, but I assure you that the reasons are substantial and certain. Just because something is difficult to understand doesn’t mean it isn’t true or any less true. The doctrine enters into the heart of the Catholic faith and cannot be denied by any faithful Catholic, and the practice is praiseworthy and beneficial for all who avail themselves of it.

Let’s continue to pray for one another and all the faithful departed with peace and confidence during this month of November.