John Bianco - 1/28/07

A good friend passed this along to me this morning (taken from angelqueen.org):

My fiancee, the love of my life, John Bianco died on Sunday of sudden cardiac arrest. We were to be wed in a tridentine high Mass this April. He was 32.

We were just having a conversation and he suddenly stopped breathing. I called the paramedics and he was transported to the ER, but there was nothing they could do.

I managed to get him conditional Last Rites, but he was already dead when the priest arrived. He needs all the prayers for his soul that he can get. He read this forum nearly everyday and I'm sure he would appreciate all your prayers.

I, too, could use your prayers as I struggle to find meaning in all of this. It seems so cruel that God would take him away three months before we were to marry. We all have crosses to bare, but this is one I cannot bare alone.

I am struggling to find how this all fits into His Divine Plan.

So, I beg all of you, get out your rosaries, if you know priests have masses said for him, offer up your Communions and indulgences, please, please, pray for the repose of the soul of my John. He was a good man, a good traditionalist Catholic, and he will truly be missed.

Thank you all.
Amanda

Amanda, rest assured that he will be in our prayers and that masses will be said for him as well (as they are said for all the members of Grant Them Rest.

+Requiescat in pace.

Marie Giardina: 1/9/1958 - 4/21/1992

Here is another email I received this weekend:

Marie Giardina was #5 of 10. She was born Jan 9th 1958 and died April 21 1992
Her passing is a lost link in a great chain yet one that extends to a greater place.
Her soul rests in purgatory.
With passing of Pope John Paul, I felt her spirit move closer to the Kingdom of Heaven.
With the committed intentions of our family and all those who pass this way, she shall rest in peace.
His way is the Truth and the Light.

Please pray for the repose of her soul.

+JMJ

Abbott Patrick C. Shelton, O.S.B. & Father David J. Draim, O.S.B.

The Reverend Abbott Patrick Shelton, O.S.B., and the Reverend David Draim, O.S.B. were killed at 3:55 p.m. yesterday in a car accident. Please pray for the repose of their souls!

Here is the Press Release from St. Leo Abbey.

(Also please include prayers for St. James the Greater Catholic Church, in the Diocese of Charlotte, the Benedictine Abbey of St. Leo in Florida, and Belmont Abbey in North Carolina.)


+JMJ

Gregorian Masses

What are they?

Gregorian Masses are thirty Masses said at any altar for thirty consecutive days for the deliverance of a certain soul from Purgatory. The pious practice of having these Masses celebrated for the deliverance of the souls from Purgatory was not first introduced by Saint Gregory the Great, who was sovereign Pontiff from 590 to 604, but precedes his time. However, they are called Gregorian Masses because St. Gregory contributed to the spread of this pious practice. In his Dialogues the Saint tells us that he caused to be said thirty Masses on thirty consecutive days for the repose of the soul of Justus, a monk who had died in the convent of St. Andrew in Rome. At the end of the thirtieth Mass, the deceased appeared to his brother, Copoosus, who had assisted him as a physician in his last illness, and announced that he had been delivered from the flames of Purgatory.

In their “Lives of the Saints” the Bollandists tell us that on the thirtieth day Saint Gregory himself was assured of the deliverance of the soul of Justus. And an inscription in the church of SS. Andrew and Gregory, which Rome erected on the spot of the dwelling of the holy Pontiff, confirms the fact.

Saint Gregory, as we read of his life, was also instructed by God Himself in the efficacy of these thirty Masses and he recommended the practice on various occasions.

In the life of St. Vincent Ferrer, we read that he had thirty consecutive Masses celebrated for his deceased sister and saw her delivered from Purgatory.

Pope Benedict XIII lauded this pious practice of having thirty Masses said for each soul that has departed from this life.

In Italy, France, Spain, Germany and especially England, which was converted by missionaries sent by St. Gregory, it was an established custom previous to the Reformation and the French Revolution, to have thirty consecutive Masses said for each departed soul. In a number of old churches in Europe, altars dedicated to St. Gregory and the Poor Souls are to be found. Many old paintings are still preserved attesting the same fact.

Several Religious Orders have it specified in their rules and Constitutions that thirty Gregorian Masses are to be said for every deceased member. The Carmelites, Dominicans, Nuns of the Visitation, and others follow this practice. A very old edition of the Dominican Missal contains special prayers for the Gregorian Masses.

-Rules for Gregorian Masses

-How to arrange a Gregorian Mass

The Reality of Purgatory

The existence of Purgatory is defined as a dogma of the Church by both the Council of Florence and the Council of Trent. Thus it is obligatory for all Catholics who wish to remain in communion with the Church to accept and believe in the existence of Purgatory. The Council of Trent further defined that the souls detained in Purgatory are able to be assisted by the faithful on earth especially by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass - see Council of Trent Session XXV.

From other credible sources:

Holy Scripture

Fathers of the Church

The Great Saints

Private Revelation

(Hat Tip to: knocknovena.com)

The Holy Card

I received this poem entitled, The Holy Card, today in an email from one of my new readers:

Five a.m., my coffee,
Rosary in my hands,
All upon my lap-desk,
My soul inhales, expands.

And then I spy the HOLY card,
Upon my desk it lay.
A relic, token, keepsake,
Memento for the day,

From those who’ve gone before us,
We hope decked out in grace,
And yet, so often, leave their cards,
Sometimes in strangest place.

One side…their names and dates,
The other, Christ or Saint,
Prayers to persevere for them,
Make sacrifice, don’t faint.


So when you spot such HOLY cards,
Behind it is a story,
That you’ve been chosen, asked to help,
Free souls from Purgatory!

JMJ
"Long-skirts"

Friends of the Suffering Souls

This was taken from knocknovena.com, it relates very much with the purpose of this blog and I highly recommend that you spend some time there and consider being a Friend of the Suffering Souls.







KNOCK - OUR NOVENA

Our organization really owes its existence to the apparitions of Our Lady at Knock in Ireland on Thursday the 21st of August 1879. On that day at about 8pm in the evening Our Blessed Mother appeared to 14 people at the Parish church of Knock. This occurred just after the saintly parish priest, Venerable Archdeacon Cavanagh, had completed 100 consecutive Masses for the souls in Purgatory. It is generally understood that, apart from its other significance, this was a sign of approval from Our Lady of this work done by Archdeacon Cavanagh for the Holy Souls.

OUR BEGINNING

In the early eighties a group of people in Australia, in imitation of what Archdeacon Cavanagh had done, got together and each made a contribution in order to raise a stipend to have 100 consecutive Masses said for the benefit of the souls in Purgatory. That there does exist a Purgatory is a dogma of the Church and that the best way to assist the souls in Purgatory is by having Mass said for them is defined by the Council of Trent.

After the first novena was completed another was organized and still another and out of these efforts came to exist the Friends of the Suffering Souls, each member undertaking to have one Mass said each year for the souls in Purgatory. This Mass is offered on behalf of the whole organization and therefore, because of the number of members, there is a continuous novena of several Masses each day being offered on behalf of the organization for the benefit of the souls in Purgatory. Each Mass is offered for all of the Holy Souls but with a special commemoration for deceased members.


OUR PRESENT STATE

There are now 12,000 members throughout the world. Most of these are in Australia but we also have members in 64 other countries including South Africa, Scotland, England, Ireland, United States, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Japan, India, Canada, Italy, Spain, Papua New Guinea and Nigeria. Details of our membership can be seen on our Members page. Each member organizes his own Mass with a priest chosen by the member. Each member has to confirm for us that he or she has in fact organized the Mass. Our postal address is:

FRIENDS OF THE SUFFERING SOULS
PO Box 73
HELENSBURGH NSW 2508
AUSTRALIA


BENEFITS TO MEMBERS

As a result of belonging to the organization each member receives the following benefits:

1.

In spiritual matters the merit is multiplied by participation and not divided. Therefore each member receives the same merit as if he had arranged each and every individual Mass himself.

2.

The many souls who benefit from this great number of Masses will be eternally grateful and will pray for the interests of members whilst they are in Purgatory and when they are released into Heaven. They will never forget the members because the members did not forget them.

3.

All of the Masses are offered for all of the souls in Purgatory but especially for deceased members. Therefore after a member's death his or her soul will enjoy the benefit of every single Mass organized by this organisation. If a deceased member has to pass through Purgatory, as most of us will, then they will be grateful they took care of others so that now others take care of them.


WHY THE HOLY SOULS NEED HELP

Unfortunately many people underestimate both the duration and the intensity of Purgatory. These matters are not defined by the Church but the teachings of the fathers and private revelations should be sufficient to convince us in both these matters.

Private revelation and the past practices of the church indicate clearly that many souls spend a very long time in Purgatory. Our Blessed Lord Himself is quite clear about the fact that His justice requires that every fault, even the smallest as well as the largest, be paid for before our release. So he says in Matt. 5:26 - "Amen, I say to thee, thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repayest the last farthing".

With regard to the intensity of the sufferings Our Blessed Mother told the saintly French priest, Father Lemy, that it is better to spend 15 years dragging your weight on earth rather than to spend 15 minutes in Purgatory.

For further information on the sufferings of purgatory see our Links page and also our own page on Purgatory.


OUR POSITION UNDER CANON LAW

Under Canon Law "all Christian faithful have the right to promote or to sustain apostolic action by their own undertakings" ..Canon 207(1). To that end, "The Christian faithful are free, by means of private agreement made among themselves, to establish associations" to carry out various apostolic works...Canon 299.

Maria Gloria Mercure: 5/7/1938 - 5/2/2000

CLICK HERE to read a Tribute written by her son, Michael.


As always, pray for the repose of her soul.

+JMJ

Mortuum Mundo...Vivum in Christo

I have another blog, Mortuum Mundo...Vivum in Christo, which focuses more broadly (unlike this blog which is fairly specific in its purpose), I blog about all things Catholic; Sacred Music, the Liturgy (mostly according to the 1962 Missale), current Catholic News, works of mercy and the culture of death...and I even have post a small bit on the Saint of the Day (well, almost every day that is...).

You may also find quite a few useful links in the right hand column on that blog as well. (I have been quite busy lately, and this blog, Grant Them Rest, is still fairly new so I don't have much on here yet, but I hope to change that very soon! Also, if you have good links that keep with the theme of Grant Them Rest, please email me or leave a comment here and I will add them to the site!)

Shalom!

Divine Mercy Podcast

The following was posted on the Rosary Army Forum last night, (Blogspot was having some issues last night so "GK" was unable to view Grant Them Rest, otherwise he/she would have noticed that one of the main focuses of the blog is to get people praying for those departed souls).

Lee,

I would like to point you toward my podcast page where you can download the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in mp3 format. I thought if you were promoting prayer for souls departed, that would be a good one (other than an intention at Mass, of course).

BYW, I have been getting an error when I try to go to the Grant Them Rest site.

GK

To listen to the podcast in your browser window, click on the title of the podcast next to "Direct download" at the botton of the show notes.

To subscribe:
For iTunes, click on the "Add to iTunes" button.
If you use a different podcast player, enter the link
http://feeds.feedburner.com/divinemercy
and you will be subscribed.


DM Extra - Divine Mercy Chaplet with Meditations

Distraction during prayer is a challenge for us all. To try to assist you with this, I have recorded the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and included a series of meditations on the wounds of Christ's Passion. I pray that this recording will help you to grow closer to our Lord as you meditate on his passion and the agonizing wounds he endured for our salvation.

May the Merciful Jesus fill your heart with His gentle peace and remember, at every moment, do what Love requires.

Meditation
Catholic Progress

Music provided by Magnatune.com
Great Doxology - Monks and Choirs of Kiev Peche


Direct download: DM_Extra_-_Divine_Mercy_Chaplet_with_Meditation.mp3

Señora Ida Ferraris viuda de Madarang: 12/13/1920 - 9/27/2006

I have had influx of emails today - more souls to be prayed for!

From another email:

To Mr. Lee Cunningham:
Please add my maternal grandmother to your blog-list {http://grant-them-rest.blogspot.com/}
Her name is Señora Ida Ferraris viuda de Madarang.
She was born on the 13th of December 1920, the feast of St. Lucy, and passed away last 27th of September 2006, the feast of St. Vincent de Paul.

Attached to this email is her picture, and the eulogy that I delivered on the Solemn Requiem Mass in commemoration of her 40th Requiem Day.

Mil gracias para con todos!
Ryan of the Diocese of Parañaque, PHILIPPINES

I was unable to open the Word doc attachment from my Mac laptop (I guess I should fork over the money and get Microsoft Office already...), but I will add it when I get back into the office tomorrow.

Here is a picture of Señora Ida Ferraris viuda de Madarang


Please pray for the repose of her soul!

O Bone Jesu, miserere nobis.



Here is the eulogy that Ryan gave:


EULOGY for IDA FERRARIS viuda de MADARANG
32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ida’s grandchildren were one, if not the most, busy preparing for today’s commemoration of her 40th Requiem day, so much so that one of them quipped; ang hirap maging apo ni Lola. {It’s hard to be a grandchild of Ida}

· Post-war Philippines found the 20-year old Ida taking upon her shoulders the yoke of supporting her orphaned family, setting aside her dreams and ambitions until her youngest sibling was able to offer herself to weave the fabric of the Lord with Ignacia’s scissor and needle.

· With their eldest child just a few days from his intermediate graduation, and their youngest a mere 8 years old, Ida again found herself alone due to the demise of the love and all of her life, Clem. With faith and courage, she took upon her shoulders the role of being both mother and father while suffering the loss of Clem.

· At an age when most would prefer to spend their days in quiet and solitude, she welcomed the birth of her eldest grandchild, taking upon herself his rearing and formation.

To live in the shadow of Ida means to live a life of courage, compassion, faith, and love.

Courage. Courage, which does not come from bravery but courage, which comes from her deep faith in God. Because she knew that if God is with us who can ever be against us.

Compassion. But compassion is not simply to give something to those who are in need. Compassion is with passion. She lived a life of passion. Passion not only in the sense of enthusiasm, but of passion, which is the passion of Christ prior to his death. She served as she suffered. And she suffered because she chose to serve.


Faith. But faith is not simply to mumble 10 Paters, 10 Aves, and 1 Confiteor and exclaim que sera, sera. Faith is to be like a child in the arms of your Father. She lived the faith...a living testament of the commandment of selfless-love that Christ has given to us.

{A lived faith is to see Christ in others; to be your brother’s keeper. A lived faith is to be the Acting Person; to be the other.}

Being bedridden, I occasionally brought her Holy Communion. As I raised the sacred species for her to see, never have I seen her eyes without tears as she prayed Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed. A child in the presence of her Father. A child of faith. A child of love.

Love. It is not the love of Cupid to his arrow but it is rather the love of the man crucified for us, because the perfect symbol of love is not Cupid with his arrow on Valentines Day.
The perfect symbol of love is Christ hanging on the cross on Good Friday. And Ida taught us that. She taught us charity not only love, not only Eros but agape. And there is no greater love; there is no greater agape than to lay down your life for your friends.

In this day and age, in a world of strife and discord, it is indeed hard to be Ida’s apo. However, we are reminded that Ida was not original because she only learned her courage, compassion, faith and love from the Lord himself.

Like the widow in today’s Gospel, Ida, throughout the course of her exile in this valley of tears, gave not from her surplus, but her very self, her whole self. Why? Because for somebody who loves much nothing is impossible. For somebody who loves much, there is no limit to what you can do because the greater measure of love is to love without measure.

To the very end, as I held her hand on the morning of the 27th of September, she taught us how to love. As the screen on the electrocardiogram flashed a flat line indicating that her heart had become asystolic, I could not help but whisper to her ear the summary of her life. I love you, Oha. As recounted by those who were witness to it, there was a slight and momentary movement in the electrocardiogram, as if indicating a response; I love you too, Ian...I love you all...

Love. That is who Ida was, is, and will always be.

When she started depending on her cane to be able to walk, I can proudly tell you that Ida always asked me to hold her hand so that she could steady her steps {It was in this very place that we would walk together, hand-in-hand, doing rounds going from the back to the front...but when she got tired, she would give me a slight pull, shortening our exercise to just a single round}.

This great woman who raised her siblings during the post-war onslaught of 1945 – this great mother who took upon her shoulders the burden of being both mother and father to her children upon the untimely demise of her husband, Clem – was humble enough to say “I need your assuring hand.” The hands that held our hands securely as we walked through the dark valleys of pain, sorrow and uncertainty were the same hands that sought security and assurance.

Ida’s eyes that saw differently from the way we saw things are now beholding the glory of God in heaven. Her legacy is a new way of seeing. He taught us how to see as God sees.
Her eyes have been closed by sister death but closed in order to behold the face of God in eternity.

Oha, take your well-deserved rest.

From Heaven, look upon us and ask the Lord to show us where to go. Ask the Lord to show us what to do. Take our hand and lead us to the bosom of the God who is love.

Oha, take your well-deserved rest.

We shall see each other again...Hasta pronto.

Oha, te quiero mucho...te quiero mucho.

Ryan Miguel Ramirez y Madarang
Eulogy for the 40th Requiem Day of
Ida Ferraris viuda de Madarang
12th of November 2006

Marie Maus - d. 1/7/2007

Received another email today:

I just found your site. if you can, please add my Aunt Marie Maus. I don't know her date of birth, but she died on January 7th, 2007.

I didn't know her very well as my mom came from a big family. She was one of the older children and my mom was the second youngest. She bore 10 children and from my memories was a very kind lady. I promised my mom I would pray for her soul, so I will share her name with you also.

Thank you,

(edit: Marie is the one in the upper-left of the photo.)

Please pray for the repose of her soul, and keep her family in your prayers.

Damian Paul Coghlan: 2/1/1977 - 10/16/1997

This was submitted by Matthew Doyle @ Lacrimarum Valle

Damian Paul Coghlan: 1st February 1977 - 16th October 1997

Damian was educated by the Rosminians (Institute of Charity) in England from the age of 8 till 18; first at Grace Dieu Manor preparatory school, and then Ratcliffe College. He attended St. Benet's Hall at Oxford University in the last couple of years of his life (1995-1997) where he read Philosophy and Theology. He struggled his whole life with a congenital heart defect, and suffered considerably in his last few years with Eisenmenger's syndrome. Unfortunately Our Lord took him before he was able to complete his degree.

He was a cheerful and dedicated individual who never complained about his many afflictions. He was deeply spiritual and was constantly reading and searching for the divine. His other great loves were role-playing games, theatre, films (in particular Star Wars), science fiction and writing stories and novels.

If, by chance, you knew Damian, please do get in touch with Damian's brother, Matthew Doyle, who is currently planning to compile a memorial book to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his death.

Please pray for his soul...

St. Joseph, Patron of a Happy Death, we ask your prayers for our brother Damian.
+JMJ

Dominic Spatara - d. 1/15/07

Received this email from a brother Knight:

Dear Brothers,

Thank you for your prayers for my family member Dominic Spatara. He under went heart surgery this week. Dominic was called home yesterday to be with our Savior. I know he is with Him because Dominic was a very kind and giving soul. I thank each and every one of you for thinking of him and for praying for him. Please continue to pray for his family they will need the support during this very difficult time. God bless each and everyone of you, thank you for being there and I love you all.

Vivat Jesus

Rich

I would ask that you pray for the repose of his soul.

+JMJ

Confitebor (Ps. 110)

Psalmus 110. Confitebor

Confitébor tibi, Dómine, in toto corde meo: * in consílio justórum, et congregatióne.
2 Magna ópera Dómini: * exquisíta in omnes voluntátes ejus.
3 Conféssio et magnificéntia opus ejus: * et justítia ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.
4 Memóriam fecit mirabílium suórum, miséricors et miserátor Dóminus: * escam dedit timéntibus se.
5 Memor erit in sæculum testaménti sui: * virtútem óperum suórum annuntiábit pópulo suo:
6 Ut det illis hereditátem géntium: * ópera mánuum ejus véritas, et judícium.
7 Fidélia ómnia mandáta ejus: confirmáta in sæculum sæculi, * facta in veritáte et æquitáte.
8 Redemptiónem misit pópulo suo: * mandávit in ætérnum testaméntum suum.
9 (fit reverentia) Sanctum, et terríbile nomen ejus: * inítium sapiéntiæ timor Dómini.
10 Intelléctus bonus ómnibus faciéntibus eum: * laudátio ejus manet in sæculum sæculi.

Psalm 110. Confitebor

I will give thanks unto the Lord with my whole heart, * in the assembly of the righteous, and in the congregation.
2 The works of the Lord are great, * meet to serve for the doing of his will.
3 His work is worthy to be praised and had in honour, * and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 He hath made a memorial of his marvellous works; the Lord is merciful and gracious : * he hath given meat unto them that fear him.
5 He shall ever be mindful of his covenant : * he will shew his people the power of his works.
6 That he may give them the heritage of the heathen : * the works of his hands are verity and judgment.
7 All his commandments are true; they stand fast for ever and ever : * and are done in truth and equity.
8 He sent redemption unto his people; * he hath commanded his covenant for ever.
9 (all bow) Holy and terrible is his Name : * the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
10 A good understanding have all they that do thereafter; * his praise endureth for ever.

Submitted by the Mother of a Priest

This email was sent to me via two mothers: my mother, who received it from the mother of Fr. William Kosco (both are good friends of the family).

I have a couple of people I would like you to add to Lee's blog:

Paula Hudek, a friend who died of cancer December 15, 2006 here is Prescott. Paula was a traditional Catholic and we were able to arrange a Requiem Mass for her and Gregorian chanters. Father Fryar came driven up here by Fr. Billy.

Charles Nicholas Conrad, my brother who died July 14, 2006 in Spokane, WA. He had been living here in Prescott. He was a drug and alcohol addict and flew up to Spokane to be with family there, but overdosed on that drug given to heroin addicts to help them get off heroin - I can't remember the name of it, but no matter. Nicholas was a beautiful soul, but as a child he had been repeatedly sexually molested by a family friend and he suffered from this all his life.

Please pray for both of them.

Thank you!

Jane Kosco

Please pray for the repose of the souls of Paula Hudek and Charles Nicholas Conrad.

Let us take this time to also remember our priests in prayer as well, as it is they who bring Christ in the Eucharist to us (and so much more).



+ Holy God! Holy Mighty One! Holy Immortal One! Have mercy on us!

Michael Paraiso

Please add Michael and his family to your prayers.

Here is an email I received earlier today:

My family wants to sincerely thank all of you who have sustained us with your prayers during these times. My nephew - MICHAEL PARAISO - died of a heart attack on Friday, 1/5/07, he was discovered lying on his bathroom floor. He was 38, single, teaching at a high school in San Diego and a football coach there. His grandma (my sister-in-law's mother) was just buried Dec. 14th! Please continue to hold us up in prayer esp. my brother and sister-in-law (Ray and Annie), and Mike's only sister Christine. Thank you all once again. God bless!

Lord, support us all the day long,
until the shadows lengthen,
and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed,
and the fever of life is over,
and our work is done.

Then in your mercy,
grant us a safe lodging,
and a holy rest,
and peace at the last.

~John Henry Newman

Noah Keator - Spring 2005

My sister and brother-in-law's first child:

Noah Keator died before birth just a couple weeks after conception in the spring of 2005.

Kyrie eleison,
Christe eleison,
Kyrie eleison.

Don & Betty Jo Blary

These were submitted today by my mother, please include Don & Betty Jo in your prayers.

Don Blary died new years eve in 1976. Was not Catholic but was a believer in Christ.

Betty Jo Blary died at birth - do not have the date. It was my mom's first baby.

+JMJ

Anointing of the Sick/Extreme Unction

from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

1523 A preparation for the final journey. If the sacrament of anointing of the sick is given to all who suffer from serious illness and infirmity, even more rightly is it given to those at the point of departing this life; so it is also called sacramentum exeuntium (the sacrament of those departing). The Anointing of the Sick completes our conformity to the death and Resurrection of Christ, just as Baptism began it. It completes the holy anointings that mark the whole Christian life: that of Baptism which sealed the new life in us, and that of Confirmation which strengthened us for the combat of this life. This last anointing fortifies the end of our earthly life like a solid rampart for the final struggles before entering the Father's house.

1532 The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects:
- the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church;
- the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age;
- the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance;
- the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul;
- the preparation for passing over to eternal life.

1514 The Anointing of the Sick "is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived."

1524 In addition to the Anointing of the Sick, the Church offers those who are about to leave this life the Eucharist as viaticum. Communion in the body and blood of Christ, received at this moment of "passing over" to the Father, has a particular significance and importance. It is the seed of eternal life and the power of resurrection, according to the words of the Lord: "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." The sacrament of Christ once dead and now risen, the Eucharist is here the sacrament of passing over from death to life, from this world to the Father.

-------

Also here is an article from New Advent on Extreme Unction.

Requiem Æternam

Below is the square note connotation for the prayer Requiem Æternam, from whence this blog gets its name, and its translation:

Réquiem ætérnam dona eis,
Dómine,et lux perpétua lúceat
eis.Requiéscant in pace.
Amen.

Eternal rest grant to them,
O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace.
Amen.


(Well, part of it anyway.)

What is the Requiem Mass?

The Requiem Mass
by Aaron Green

The Requiem Mass, a mass honoring the deceased, is usually sung on the day of burial, the following anniversaries, and on the third, seventh and 30th days following interment.

The Requiem Mass consists of (but may not include):

Requiem Aeternam (Introit)
Kyrie Eleison
Lacrimosa
Dies Irae
Domine Jesu (Offertorium)
Sanctus
Benedictus
Pie Jesu
Agnus Dei
Lux Aeternum
Libera Me
In Paradisum

History of the Requiem Mass

Medieval Period

The earliest known practice of honoring the dead in the celebration of the Eucharist dates back to the late 2nd century as it was referred to in the texts of Acta Johannis and Martyrium Polycarp, however, the earliest surviving musical examples only date back to the 10th century.

Between the 10th and 14th centuries the chants flourished leaving us today with 105+ surviving Requiem chants. A chant is non-rhythmic monophonic melody. The large variety of Requiem chants is a result of regional differences and the reusing of previous chant melodies.

Renaissance Period

The Requiem flourished during the Renaissance period, despite during the 14th century when the Roman church limited the amount of times the Requiem was performed and of what chants it consisted. It was cut even further by the Council of Trent between 1545 and 1563. The Requiem did not evolve into a polyphonic setting until the Age of Enlightenment, likely due in part that the sadness of death should not be celebrated by the use of harmony. Personally, I think the use of harmony in the Requiem was genius; after listening to Mozart and Verdi, there is so much more feeling that can be conveyed. The variations between Requiems are drastic among the early works. The styles are impressive for their time; their simple melodies are played side by side sophisticated complex harmonies. It wasn’t until later when the variations subsided - an underlying theme began to take shape. The use of tenor cantus firmi became common in the Requiem as well as richer, fuller harmonization. Although the musical styles became more similar, the texts used did not. There is no textual consistency among the works, which is still a mystery among musicologists today.

Baroque, Classical and Romantic Periods

During the 17th century, notably because of the major opera composers of the time, the individual movements became longer and more complex. The orchestration became richer harmonically, rhythmically, and dynamically. Solo and choral voice parts became more elaborate – more operatic. Mozart’s Requiem, K.626, is the most influential contribution to the genre of the 18th century, despite the debates of its exact origin. It “set the bar” so to speak. Verdi’s and Berlioz’ Requiems are famous for the use of the text and the large scale orchestration respectively. Brahms’ German Requiem is non-liturgical. Stylistically, it is the same, but the text he composed himself from the Lutheran Bible.

20th Century

True to the period, the Requiem ceases to abide by the rules laid forth by its past. It’s not uncommon to see composers reincorporate the use of plain chant and revert back to a more simple sound. Composers treated the texts differently by keeping them fragmented while making use of instrumental techniques. Other composers included secular poetry, while some almost completely cut out the text altogether. Requiems were being written not just for individuals, but for humanity as a whole. John Foulds’s World Requiem (1919–21) and Benjamin Britten's War Requiem (1961) were written for World War I and II respectively.

Barbara Ann Fourneaux Emond - February 7th, 1954 - May 29th, 2005

Taken from an email I received earlier today:

Greetings Brother Knight!

This is (removed for privacy). I would like to add my late mother's name to your prayerlist for the rest of souls. Here's a little info:

My mother's name is Barbara Ann Fourneaux Emond. She was born in Montreal(Quebec, Canada) on February 7th, 1954. She married a first time in 1973, as aresult of my unexpected coming. After two daughters and an almost ten yearmarriage, she divorced in 1982. Although she was never a church goer, I cannotsay for sure rather she was a Christian or not. She spoke not of God or religionin our house. However, in my eyes, she was still a saint. She was dedicated toher family, her community, she was loved by everyone she met. Always ready tolend a helping hand. She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2000, at the age of46. She remarried in 2003, with her partner of almost 20 years. After 5 years offighting, she died on May 29th, 2005, at the age of 51.

I am not sure what other info you wished for and hope this is ok. If youneed any other info, do not hesitate to e-mail me :) Thank you again for thiswonderful service. It is a fantastic idea.

Blessings to you,

(Barbara Ann Fourneaux Emond)

O most loving Father, in atonement and satisfaction for all our sins, we offer Thee the whole Passion of Thy most beloved Son, from the plaintive wail He uttered when laid upon the straw in the manger, through all the helplessness of His infancy, the privations of His boyhood, the adversities of His youth, the sufferings of His manhood, until that hour when He bowed His head upon the Cross and with a loud cry gave up His Spirit. And, in atonement and satisfaction for all our negligences, we offer Thee, O most loving Father, the most holy life and conversation of Thy Son, most perfect in His every thought, word, and action, from the hour when he came down from His lofty throne to the Virgin's womb, and thence came forth into our dreary wilderness, to the hour when He presented to Thy fatherly regard the glory of His conquering flesh. Amen.

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, especially Babraba Ann Fourneaux Emond, that we may all obtain that most desired grace of final penitence.

Amen.

Update: It was brought to my attention that Barbara had received the Sacrament of Extreme Unction while she was in a coma.

Also, Barbara's daughter has a Humanitarian/Education website HERE if you would like to check it out.

Mission Statement & List

(List of names submitted below)

The main purpose of this blog is to have Masses said and multitudes of people praying for the repose of those souls who have gone before us. Also there will be related topics as well, such as prayer, spirituality, meditations on life and death, and the Mass (particularly the Requiem Mass), etc.

Please feel free to contact me at mortuum_mundo@mac.com if you have someone that you would like me to add to this site. (When sending me the person's info, please include a picture and a little bit about the person as well, especially their dates of entering and leaving this life.)

I pray that the prayers said for the souls who will be listed on this site be a source of great and necessary grace for them at the most important time of their lives - the hour of their death.


+Jesus, Mary and Joseph, save souls!

Please pray for the following souls who have been submitted to Grant Them Rest:

Barabara Ann Fourneaux Emond - d. May 29, 2005
Don Blary - d. December 31, 1976
Betty Jo Blary - died at birth
Noah Keator - died a couple weeks after conception Spring of 2005
Michael Paraiso - d. January 5, 2007
Paula Hudek - d. December 15, 2006
Charles Nicholas Conrad - d. July 14, 2006
Dominic Spatara - d. January 15, 2007
Damian Paul Coghlan - February 1, 1997 - October 16, 1997
Marie Maus - d. January 7,2007
Señora Ida Ferraris viuda de Madarang - Dec. 13, 1920 - Sept. 27, 2006
Maria Gloria Mercure - May 7, 1938 - May 2, 2000
Reverend Abbott Patrick Shelton, O.S.B. - d. January 24, 2007
Reverend Fr. David Draim, O.S.B. - d. January 24, 2007
Marie Giardina - January 9, 1958 - April 21, 1992
John Bianco - d. January 28, 2007
Sir Knight James B. Joly - d. January 31, 2007
Theresa Little Flower Koinzan - d. Mother's Day 2006
Joseph Marie Koinzan - d. November 6, 2006
Paul Hawkins - d. March, 12 2007
Fr. Richard J. Rego, S.T.L. - September 2, 1934 - July 30, 2007
Morris Payne - d. September 27, 2007
Gerald Pearson - July 16, 1945 - February 11, 2004
Becky Pearson - March 7, 1956 - January 25, 2008
James Francis Russo - July 28, 1965 - November 15, 2007
Doug Keller - April 7, 1942 - December 19, 2004
Stephen Woolley - November 28, 1956 - April 14, 2008
James Grandjean - April 17, 1940 - June 30, 2008
Stephen John Richardson - d. July 21, 1992
Sharon Lee Woodard - d. July 1, 2008
Eileen Margaret Worrall - September 6, 1922 - September 17, 2008
John K. Bestor - December 15, 1921 - October 5, 2008
Rt. Rvrd. Msgr. Moises Bernardino Andrade, SThD, SThL - 9/23/1948 - 2/23/2009
Manuel Enrique Fernandez - d. April 3, 2009
Jessie Hollins - d. July 9, 2009
Talma Scorza - d. October 7, 2009
Kathleen McCambridge - d. October 7, 2009
Fr. Thomas Dubay - d. September 26, 2010

Dona eis requiem. †