Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 9/26/2005

Question
Hello,

I'm not sure if you can help.  My Dad was a Polish Catholic, living in England until he passed away earlier this year (my Mother was C of E, which we followed).  We have heard that a lot of Catholic countries make a big thing of All Souls Day (Nov 2) especially Poland, my sister and I would like to do something for this, we know the grave gets decorated in flowers, especially chysanthanums and asters as well as candles being lit, also I think there is a service, where all the town go to Church before everybody goes to the Cemetary, obviously we can't do anything like what is done in Poland or other mainly catholic countries (I think Cuba also do something very similar) that follow this tradition, but we were wondering if you knew of any prayers that should be said (that we could repeat at the graveside) or anything else that should be done.  Any help whatsoever would be very much appreciated as we are quite clueless.

Many thanks

Valerie Hall

Answer
                   Peace and All-Good!!

Dear Valerie
    Since you might be of C of E, I thought it might be best to review some basics about what Catholics believe. Why? Church of England has grown farther away from the Catholic belief, so you can better celebrate in the spirit and mind of the traditions and prayers I share.

The Scriptural Basics of Purgatory
Purification necessary for heaven
Heb 12:14; Rev 21:27
An intermediate state of purification
Mt 5:26; Lk 12:58-59
Degrees of expiation of sins
Lk 12:47-48  
Can be aided by prayer
2Mac 12:45  
Salvation; but only as through fire  
1Cor 3:15
Temporary agony
1 Cor 3:15; Mt 5:25-26  
Christ preached to spiritual beings
1 Pet 3:19
Nothing unclean shall enter heaven
Rev 21:27
Sacrifice for the dead
2 Mac 12:43-46  
A reality beyond the two realms of Heaven and Earth a place between or near  
2 Cor 5:10; Rev; 5: 2;3 Rev; 5:23;
Phil 2:10; Matt 18: 23-25 Luke 23:42  
No forgiveness in this age nor in the age to come.
 Mt 12:32
"Extra" suffering.  
Col 1:24; 2 Sam 12:14  



Now some prayers:
1-The following Psalms:6,31,37,50,139,142
EoC numbers the Psalm differently so the link is to a Catholic Bible similar to the KJV of 1611 but its older.
http://www.drbo.org/book/21.htm   In general I just vouche for the bible at the site, the rest I havent really explore yet, the site is a recent find.
2-The Lord's Prayer (the Catholic version)
3-The Hail Mail
4-Stations of the Cross
5-Good and gentle Jesus,
Whose loving Heart was ever troubled
by the sorrows of others,
look with pity upon the holy souls in Purgatory.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O, Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.

6-Father, God of all consolation,
in Your unending love and mercy for us
You turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life.
Through Your Son, Jesus Christ,
we ask You to deliver the souls in Purgatory,
especially those for whom we now pray...

(Mention them here.)

Welcome them into Your presence
and bless them with eternal light and peace.
Raise them up to live forever with all Your saints
in the glory of the Resurrection.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

7-Most merciful Father,
we commend our departed into Your hands.
We are filled with the sure hope
that our departed will rise again on the Last Day
with all who have died in Christ.
We thank You for all the good things
You have given during our departed's earthly life.

O Father, in Your great mercy,
accept our prayer that the Gates of Paradise
may be opened for Your servant.
In our turn, may we, too,
be comforted by the words of faith
until we greet Christ in the glory
and are united with You and our departed.



8-God our Father,
Your power brings us to birth,
Your providence guides our lives,
and by Your command we return to dust.

Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,
their lives change but do not end.
I pray in hope for my family,
relatives and friends,
and for all the dead known to You alone.

In company with Christ,
Who died and now lives,
may they rejoice in Your kingdom,
where all our tears are wiped away.
Unite us together again in one family,
to sing Your praise forever and ever.

Amen.


Some Polish Traditions:

In Poland the faithful bring to their parish priest on All Souls' Day paper sheets with black borders called Wypominki (Naming) on which are written the names of their beloved dead. During the evening devotions in November, and on Sundays, the names are read from the pulpit and prayers are offered for the repose of the Souls.

   The tradition of devoting the eight days after All Souls' to special prayer, penance, and acts of charity has developed over time among the faithful. People call this particular time of the year "Soul Nights" (Seelennachte). Every evening the rosary is said for the holy souls within the family while the blessed candle burns. Many go to Mass every morning. A generous portion of the meal is given to the poor each day; and the faithful abstain from dances and other public amusements out of respect for the holy souls.


Since All Saints' and All Souls' happened to be placed within the period of ancient pre-Christian festivals, some of the pre-Christian traditions became part of our Christian feasts and associated with Christian ideas.

   In pre-Christian times, food was put out for the dead. Catholics have sanctified this pagan custom and now bake special breads in honor of the holy souls and bestow them on children and the poor. "All Souls' Bread" (Seelenbrot) is made and distributed in Germany, Belgium, France, Austria, Spain, Italy, Hungary, and in the Slavic countries.

   In Poland the farmers hold a solemn meal on the evening of All Souls' Day, with empty seats and plates ready for the "souls" of departed relatives. Onto the plates members of the family put parts of the dinner. These portions are not touched by anyone, but afterward are given to beggars or poor neighbors. Perhaps your family can give to a food pantry in honor of the charity your father showed toward each of you.

                        Your servant In Christ
                                 george