November is the month when we as Catholics remember "those who have gone before us, marked with the sign of faith." As the liturgical year dies away, we use this as an opportunity to pray for those who have themselves died.
One of the Lectionary texts that is used in Catholic funerals is from 1 Maccabees, in which we are told that it is a good and just thing to do to pray for the dead. We believe that in death, "life is changed, not ended." Our prayers for the dead expresses our hope for the salvation for all, whether living in the body or living in the spirit. Thus, prayers for the dead are a concrete way that we express the Catholic social teaching principle of solidarity — we express our solidarity in death as in life.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Copyright © 2009, Deacon Carl D. Smith. All rights reserved. Reprint permission granted to parishes for use in Sunday bulletins.
