First Monday Mass at the Crypt

Christ the King Parish Greenmeadows regularly conducts a First Monday Mass for the Dead at the CTK Crypt at 4 pm. Last February 6, a first Monday, Fr. Ricky Montanez officiated the mass. In attendance were several parishioners whose loved ones were interred or ‘inurned’ in the CTK columbary vaults.

The practice of offering the holy Mass for the repose of the soul of the deceased originates in the early church. The catechism teaches, “From the beginning the church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God”.

In light of the saving work of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we believe that when a person dies, he faces his particular judgment and must render an account of his life. If that person has died fundamentally believing in God and in a state of grace, but with venial sins and the hurt caused by sin, then God in His divine love and mercy will first purify the soul. After this purification has been completed, the soul will have the holiness and purity needed to share in the beatific vision in heaven. The faithful here on earth can help those souls undergoing purification. The Vatican Council II affirmed: “Just as we pray for each other and share each other’s burdens now, the faithful on earth can offer prayers and sacrifices to help the departed souls undergoing purification, and no better prayer could be offered than that of the holy sacrifice of the Mass.”

Christ the King Parish invites everyone with loved ones inurned in the CTK crypt to attend the First Monday Masses and pray for their departed loved ones.