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The Mass of Remembrance: Honoring and Praying for Our Faithful Departed with Great Love
November is ushered in each year by the feasts of All Saints and All Souls. During these special memorials, Catholics around the world remember those who have gone before us in the pursuit of heaven. Here at Ascension, these departed loved ones are honored annually through a special Mass of Remembrance.
“Each year on Nov. 2, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, we hold the Mass of Remembrance,” Director of Music and Liturgy Julie Ternes says. “It is a Mass honoring and praying for the people from our parish who have died in the past year. Those who have died are honored with a lit candle bearing their name and date of death and special mention in the Prayers of the Faithful during Mass.”
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Though open to any member of the parish, Julie says special invitations are sent out to the families of parishioners who have died within the past 12 months. This is a way to remind them that they are not alone in their grieving while also reminding them of the hope of the resurrection.
“The presence of members of our faith community at this Mass is a comfort to those families that are grieving the loss of their loved one,” Julie says. “When they look around at Mass, they realize they are not alone in their grief. Prayer, especially the Mass, is the most powerful way we can support others.”
Remembering the dead in this way is also an important part of our Catholic faith.
For though death has separated us physically, we as a Church still remain joined together mystically. Our prayers have the ability to help souls in purgatory obtain the beatific vision of God (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1032) while their prayers help sustain us during life’s trials.
“Praying for the dead is an important part of our Catholic beliefs,” Julie says. “We are also instructed by the Spiritual Works of Mercy to comfort the sorrowful and pray for the living and the dead. Although we do this throughout the year by mentioning those who have died in the Prayer of the Faithful each Sunday, we do it in a special way at this Mass of Remembrance.”
This year’s Mass of Remembrance will take place on Monday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. All are invited to help us honor the memory of our deceased members while also supporting their loved ones left behind.
“It is a special time for Ascension Parish to show our compassion for the family and friends of those who have died,” Julie says. “We know it has been a difficult year for them and we want to acknowledge that and offer our support.”
