Category Archives: Order of Christian Funerals

Among many pastoral ministers, the entry of the eulogy into the funeral Mass is cause for much hand-wringing. The liturgy should focus on Christ. And the mercy and grace of God. The funeral isn’t a time to applaud a life … Continue reading →

My parish’s bereavement team hosts an annual liturgy and dinner for people who are mourning the loss of a loved one or friend. One of the readings they use strikes me as appropriate for a funeral. This is not one of … Continue reading →

In the Order of Christian Funerals, there is a chapter, the 13th, dedicated to all the readings for funerals for adults. Following this is a brief chapter, the 14th, giving readings for “Funerals for Baptized Children.” The Scripture passages are … Continue reading →

This is another non-Lectionary Scripture. It is part of a much longer reading suggested for the sacrament of Penance. When I was reflecting on this during my daily prayer, it struck me as ideal for a funeral. Brief. One point. … Continue reading →

I think we used a longer form of 1 Corinthians for a priest’s funeral once, 9:16-19, 22-27, and that seems fitting, using Saint Paul’s reference to his own apostolic credentials and how he conducted his ministry in Corinth. For an … Continue reading →

The book of Proverbs concludes with a twenty-two-line poem extolling the ideal woman. Scripture scholars in our midst should perks up at that number, for yes, each line of this text in the Hebrew original begins with a sequenced letter of … Continue reading →