In November, we remember our deceased relatives and friends and pray for all the faithful departed and as it says in the Eucharistic Prayer ‘those whose faith was known to you (God) alone’. The greatest gift we can offer to those who have left us is our assurance that they are not forgotten.
During the month, in all three parishes, the Mass for those who had funerals here during the year is a beautiful occasion. We had ours in Mount Merrion last Sunday, on Monday evening I popped into Spar, as the teenager behind the till completed the transaction he said, ‘that was a lovely mass last night for the dead’. I was both surprised and pleased that he made the comment, so I asked him what it was he liked. Unsurprisingly it was the atmosphere, the candles being carried, hearing his granny’s name and the music that he connected with (not a mention of the homily!). I thanked him and as I walked away he called after me, ‘you’ve a great team up there in Mount Merrion’. It’s always reassuring when teenagers express their connection with what we are doing in the church, and appreciate it.
As it happened that was one of three encounters I had with young adults over the weekend in association with praying for the dead. After the burial of ashes of a friend’s dad, when we shared some refreshments the young people told me how they had written and shared prayers of the faithful at the funeral and then really appreciated the ritual around the burial that had got them up and out very early on a Saturday morning. They were so happy to do this for their grandad. The other was a month’s mind Mass in Clonskeagh, where again the whole family were together at the Mass, supporting granny, praying for and remembering their grandad and making the effort to be present and participating.
So, while many areas of church life are diminished and seem less than relevant to a younger generation let’s really encourage their participation in these moments of prayer, in November, and at the months mind and anniversary masses. Maybe sit down with them and write an Altar List of the Dead and get their suggestions as to who you want to remember this year.