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Last words

Funeral homily stories

This powerful piece of Victorian poetry from Idylls of the King, by Tennyson, captures the last words of the dying King Arthur. It recognizes change, faith, the power of prayer, and remembrance. "The old order changeth, yielding place to new, And God fulfils himself in many ways, Lest one good custom should corrupt the world. Comfort thyself; what comfort is in me? I have lived my life, and that which I have done May he within himself make pure! But thou, If thou shouldst never see my face again, Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice Rise like a fountain for me night and day."

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Recalling, remembering, and reciting

Funeral homily stories

One death triggers memories of other deaths, particularly family members and close friends of the deceased and the survivors who have also died. Recalling, remembering, and reciting names of other family and friends who have died can be a moving and faith-filled experience. The words of Ecclesiasticus 44 echo the importance of remembering all who have died in faith: "Here is a list of generous men and women whose good works have not been forgotten. Their descendants stand by the covenants; their glory will not fade. Their bodies have been buried in peace, and their name lives on for all generations. The peoples will proclaim their wisdom, the assembly will celebrate their praises."

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Who's listening?

10 Oct 2010 - Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

As we gather at Mass to follow Jesus' command to "do this in remembrance of me," we might take a moment to consider what this means. Most would think first of the liturgy of the Eucharist, in particular the moment of Communion. The liturgy of the Word, however, evokes the memory of Jesus and other sacred stories as well. An intimate relationship exists between the Word heard and received in scripture and homily and the Word consumed in the consecrated bread and wine. The Word of scripture this week paints a grand portrait of God, ever-faithful, who offers the gift of faith to all. In response, we place our faith in and make our offering to God alone, and thus we find salvation, which is another word for healing. Sharing the Word with the people this week gives them the opportunity to receive this gift of saving and healing faith and offer thanks for it. Our worship--and our lives--are put together in this way.

communion remembrance gift Faith

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Never again, Israelis vow in silence

14 Apr 2013 - Preaching the News for Sunday

The narrator of the Sunday reading from the Book of Revelation testifies to having “heard the voices of many angels … the living creatures and the elders . . . [who] cried out in a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.’ ” As sirens wailed out across the land, the entire nation of Israel, from elders to children, honored those slain in the Holocaust on Monday as the entire nation came to a standstill for two minutes.Pedestrians stood in place, buses stopped on busy streets, and cars pulled over on major highways, their drivers standing on the roads with their heads bowed, in the annual day of remembrance. In homes and businesses people stopped what they were doing to pay homage to the victims of the Nazi genocide, in which a third of world Jewry was annihilated.The ceremony, known as "Every Person Has a Name," tries to go beyond the incomprehensible numbers to personalize the stories of individuals, families, and communities destroyed during the war. The annual remembrance is one of the most solemn on Israel's calendar.Homily hint: As the years pass and memory fades, there is a danger of complacency when it comes to horrors such as the Holocaust. Complacency, however, is what made the Nazi takeover possible. Encourage your faith community to be vigilant in defense of religious freedom and human rights for all. Source: An article by Aron Heller for the Associated Press

israel holocaust holocaust remembrance day every person has a name

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Guide to remembrances of the dead

Homilist resources for funerals - Prepare the funeral

Cardinal George Pell made headlines in the Catholic world early in 2007 when he issued guidelines limiting eulogies during funeral liturgies in the Archdiocese of Sydney, Australia to five minutes, aiming to head off eulogists who spoke too long, got too emotional, or referred to the drinking and sexual exploits of the deceased. In keeping with the spirit of prayer for the dead, the funeral Mass "is an act of worship and prayer that should not admit elements foreign to its intrinsic nature," Pell's new rules said. You may not have the same "issues" in your community. But when preparing the funeral liturgy with families and friends of the deceased, you do have a number of things to consider and pass along to the bereaved when it comes to putting together effective and meaningful remembrances of the dead. The Order of Christian Funerals for the Dioceses of the United States of America (OCF) does not give a place in the funeral rites for something called a eulogy. It also says clearly that the homily in the funeral liturgy is "never any kind of eulogy" (no. 14). The OCF does, however, allow for the following: "A member or a friend of the family may speak in remembrance of the deceased before the final commendation begins." In addition, you and the bereaved need to consider the policies of your diocese and parish regarding the delivering of remembrances. It may also help to encourage mourners to make the wake or vigil the place for more extensive remembering of the deceased. There it is more appropriate for more than one person to speak, and they have greater time and room to tell stories and express affection and appreciation for the deceased. Remembrances can do much to help people honor the deceased, celebrate their life, and find peace. Here are some tips for putting together and delivering the remembrance you can offer to family and friends of their deceased loved one. Putting the remembrance together Choose the person who will deliver the eulogy. It's alright to express your feelings during the remembrance, but try to find someone who will not become emotionally overwhelmed during the remembrance. If it's allowed in you diocese and parish, two people working as a team can be an effective way and supportive way to prepare and deliver the remembrance. Gather information: enough biographical details about the deceased as well as stories that capture who they were and what they meant to the people around them. Talk to other survivors if you can. Humorous stories can bring a note of levity and joy to the occasion, but avoid material that may embarrass the memory of the deceased, survivors, and others gathered for the funeral. It also helps to gather your reflections around a theme or themes, for example, "N. was someone who was always there for others." You don't have to give a complete biography of the person in the short time you have. A written biography or timeline of the deceased's life can be included in the funeral worship aid. Organize your material and write a first draft or outline. Aim to keep your reflection to around 5 to 8 minutes. Make connections between the things you say and give special attention to the beginning and ending of the remembrance. Focus on the deceased, not on you or your grief, and mention the relationships others had to the deceased, not only your own. Aim for a tone that celebrates and gives thanks for the deceased--the remembrance is one of the last things the people will hear at the funeral liturgy; what do want them to take away? Keep in mind that the remembrance should reflect on the life of the deceased in the context of their faith and faith community and should not overshadow the overall funeral liturgy. Practice the remembrance. Also, arrange for a back-up speaker if it becomes too much for you to actually deliver the remembrance. Give that person the text of the remembrance ahead of time. Delivering the remembrance When the times comes for you to deliver the remembrance, speak slowly and clearly, breathe, and make frequent eye contact with the people. And don't forget to thank all who have come!

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Homily themes

29 May 2016 - Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), Cycle C

What do we “remember”? Saint Paul cited the words that Jesus used at the Last Supper in the Gospel of Luke: “Do this in remembrance of me.” Paul also extended the phrase to include the cup as well as the bread. But what is this remembrance? Paul tells us that as well. There were people in the Corinthian Christian community celebrating the Eucharist unworthily—they were elitists, libertines, and creators of conflict. Paul was saying to them: “This is important. This goes back to Lord himself. Do what you’re doing seriously, not selfishly.” By remembering Jesus’ sacrificial love in this meal, that love becomes present again.

remembrance Love

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The inner word

06 Dec 2009 - Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle C

Baruch proclaims that we will be remembered by God. Do I feel remembered? Do I feel led by God? Both Baruch and John the Baptist prophesy that every valley will be filled in to level ground. What are the valleys in my life that need leveling? Am I willing to have the way prepared for God in my own life? Saint Paul prays that God will increase the love of the new believers in Philippi. In my own Advent preparation, what might I do to grow in love for the people I live among and serve?

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Homily stories

28 Mar 2010 - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Cycle C

My eldest sister lies with her head resting against my mother’s side. My mother strokes her hair. “Honorable Number One Daughter,” my mother whispers softly. Tears well up in my sister’s eyes. “Mom still remembers me,” she thinks to herself with a mixture of hope and sadness. My mother suffers from Alzheimer’s. She has virtually forgotten who she is, what she believes, and who she is in relation to others. But every now and then she remembers. The joy of our lives is based on memories, and our most sacred experience of the divine is in sharing a meal each week in memory of Jesus. Memory brings comfort and a point of reference. My mother has lost her center with each dying memory. Such disconnect was not her choice. Most of us don’t have the same excuse. Forgetting who were are and who we are meant to serve is our greatest shame. Like Peter, we can’t help but weep bitterly when we realize we’ve lost our bearings and betrayed Jesus. But worse yet—and our greatest dread—is that Jesus will forget. The dying wish of the good thief—“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”—rests in all of our hearts.

Authors Patrice J. Tuohy

memory memories alzheimers disease remembrance

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Homily stories

02 Apr 2017 - Fifth Sunday of Lent, Cycle A

Sunday morning after Mass four times a year we’d pile into Dad’s Chrysler and drive out to Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Our family graves were there. Under the granite stone with our last name carved in bold block letters was my sister’s name etched in much smaller print. She died 10 months before I was born. My mother would cry and my father would water the flowers and pick the weeds. I remember one spring day asking Mom if she was so sad because my sister was in the ground under us. With tears still in her eyes she smiled and told me that Annamaria wasn’t in the ground, she was in heaven, and that she was crying because she missed her. I asked her why then did we have to come to the cemetery. She told me that someday I would understand. Now when I visit the family gravesite, Mom and Dad’s names are on either side of Annamaria’s. I miss them. But I’m still not sure exactly why I go there. I guess Mom was right, because I keep going back, but there are some days I believe and understand and other days that I struggle to figure out what it all means.

Authors Father Dominic Grassi

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