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Hello. I just found your site while searching for some answers. My Grandpa just died last night, and my family has had some problems with his church in regards to his Cremains. Is it "legal" within the Catholic Church for me have a pinch of his ashes put into a special piece of jewelry made for holding ashes? I have read about Relics, and this is not the same thing, but similar. If I am allowed to do this, is there a certain blessing that needs to be performed once I get the jewelry? Thank you very much.
Erica Morris
North Dakota
Hi, Erica:
Thanks for the question.
I am sorry to hear the news that your Grandfather died, as I am certain that many people who loved him will miss him; but, let us pray that he will come to experience the fulness of eternal life, and that he lived a full, long life.
No. An individual is not to take a "pinch" of remains in order to place into jewelry. This really would not be like "relics" anyway, since one ought not to casually wear full-time jewelry that contains a relic. In addition, while your grandfather was a very good man (I hope a man of faith, who believed in God's saving power through Jesus Christ), he is not a canonized Saint of the Church anyway.
The entire remains are to be interred by burial in the ground, or placement in a burial vault.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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