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: “This sacred council accepts loyally the venerable faith of our ancestors in the living communion which exists between us and our brothers who are in the glory of heaven or who are yet being purified after their death.” (“Dogmatic Constitution on the Church,” No. 51). Therefore, 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.
We invite you to the First Monday Mass at the crypt. This is at 4 pm at the Upper Crypt led by one of the CTK priests. The mass is usually attended by family, close friends, and relatives of dearly departed who are interred in Christ the King crypts. However, everyone is invited to these crypt masses. Attendance can be high whenever several families are celebrating birth and death anniversaries of their loved ones.
The next sessions for the remainder of 2018 will be on July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5, andDecember 3.
