On a similar note: moirologist PRONUNCIATION: (m...

2009-04-23T08:05:00.000-07:00

On a similar note:

moirologist

PRONUNCIATION:
(moy-ROL-uh-jist)

MEANING:
noun: A hired mourner.

Sometimes our Roman brothers understand the need f...

2009-04-22T21:12:00.000-07:00

Sometimes our Roman brothers understand the need for a proper funeral better than others, except for the Orthodox.

I'm not talking about eulogies and bad solos. They are not a part of a funeral service.

I'm talking about sending off a brother or sister with prayer as they enter a new phase of their life with Christ. I'm talking about centering on Christ, not the deceased.

I had an experience in college during the 1970s of filling in as organist at a funeral at a Roman parish (first time I played there). It was a Engaged Encounter Weekend for the parish. The local diocese had all those training for the vocational deaconate in town to learn about campus ministry (Rolla, Missouri, over Columbia, Missouri was a big deal).

Then, a resident at the state soldiers' home (next town, 10 miles away) who was hospitalized in town died. The "next town" didn't have a full-time priest.

The parish pastor in Rolla said he would do the funeral, but it did have to be in Rolla instead of St. James because of his time demands. That they agreed upon.

When I arrived at the rectory to discuss the service, the first person I met while waiting for the pastor--after the housekeeper--was the diocesan bishop from Jefferson City. He decided to drop in, too.

It was a relatively simple funeral mass with music. No eulogies. No solos. Prelude, hymns, music during communion. And, the best funeral sermon I ever heard.

If I remember correctly, the women of that parish also had a small reception for the mourners after the service.

It was everything that was needed.

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On a similar note: moirologist PRONUNCIATION: (m...

Sometimes our Roman brothers understand the need f...