We all know that Catholic funerals on the parish level often become eulogies on the dead person and often canonize them as already being in heaven. Often, the persons declared to be in heaven have lived lives far from the Gospel. But they were popular in life, often because of their free and easy lifestyle.
Bishops, priests or deacons who do this have not recalled what the funeral homily should be. It should focus on Christ not the deceased person, although good examples from the deceased person’s life could be included as responding to the Risen Christ’s grace.
Cardinal Ratzinger’s homily for now Saint Pope John Paul is a wonderful example of what a funeral homily should be. During the homily, in no way did Cardinal Ratzinger canonize Pope John Paul II although examples from the pope’s life shored up the Christo-centric nature of the homily. You can read the homily HERE.
The same is true of the homily that Pope Francis gave at Pope Benedict’s funeral a bit more than two years ago. It was excellent too, brief but quite Christo-centric and far from a canonization of the pope. You can read that homily HERE.
Unfortunately, the homily give by Cardinal Re for Pope Francis’ funeral was more a eulogy that canonized Pope Francis rather than a Christo-centric homily as funeral homily should and must be! I would think that even Pope Francis might have objected to this kind of homily for him. You can read Cardinal Re’s homily HERE.
But there is another pitfall that Pope Leo XIV has fallen into.
On three occasions, not at Mass or in a formal teaching, His Holiness has said that Pope Francis is in heaven, not that he hopes Pope Francis’ soul is in heaven or commending his soul to almighty God.
Pope Leo is new at being pope but should know better that as pope only at a true canonization can he declare that a faithful departed is in heaven. Any pope, but also Pope Leo, should be careful of casual talk that declares an uncanonized person to be in heaven and thus casually sainted.
In no case, though, should any Catholic intimate that anyone is definitely in hell. But also, apart from a formal canonization, neither should we say someone is definitively in heaven.
I hope Pope Leo reads my most humble blog.
21 comments:
It's like 2 of the 4 last things have simply vanished.
So much for his papal prudence in speech.
Give him a chance.
He's a human who is used to speaking casually. He'll learn.
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI
Sunday, 24 April 2005
MASS, IMPOSITION OF THE PALLIUM AND CONFERRAL OF THE FISHERMAN'S RING FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE PETRINE MINISTRY
OF THE BISHOP OF ROME
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Pope Benedict XVI:
"How alone we all felt after the passing of John Paul II – the Pope who for over twenty-six years had been our shepherd and guide on our journey through life!
"He crossed the threshold of the next life, entering into the mystery of God. But he did not take this step alone.
"At that moment, we could call upon the Saints from every age – his friends, his brothers and sisters in the faith – knowing that they would form a living procession to accompany him into the next world, into the glory of God.
"We knew that his arrival was awaited.
"Now we know that he is among his own and is truly at home."
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Pax.
Mark Thomas
FUNERAL MASS OF THE ROMAN PONTIFF JOHN PAUL II
HOMILY OF HIS EMINENCE CARD. JOSEPH RATZINGER
Friday, 8 April 2005
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Then-Cardinal Ratzinger declared:
"We can be sure that our beloved Pope is standing today at the window of the Father’s house, that he sees us and blesses us.
"Yes, bless us, Holy Father.
"We entrust your dear soul to the Mother of God, your Mother, who guided you each day and who will guide you now to the eternal glory of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."
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Pax.
Mark Thomas
Father McDonald, here is an example of Pope Saint John Paul II having conducted, if you will, an immediate "canonization."
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE JOHN PAUL II TO THE VOLUNTEERS OF SUFFERING
6 September 1997
The day prior, Saint Mother Teresa had fallen asleep in the Lord.
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Pope Saint John Paul II:
"An extraordinary example of this silent mission of love, which is born from constant contemplation of Jesus on the Cross, is Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who yesterday returned to the Father's house."
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Pax.
Mark Thomas
All of us have to return to our Father’s house for our particular judgment. That leads to any purification we need in order to enter into the fullness of heaven, or if the judgement is negative completely being expelled to the fires of hell for all eternity. Our particular judgment is at our Father’s house, which could be the narthex, if you will with the gates of heaven beyond or back out the opposite direction into the great abyss of hell.
With Father McDonald's permission: Final Example:
On August 6, 1978 A.D., Pope Saint Paul VI, on the Feast of the Transfiguration, had fallen asleep in the Lord.
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"HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, 6 August 1999:
Pope Saint John Paul II declared:
"This deep spiritual conviction guided the whole ecclesial mission of my venerable Predecessor, the Servant of God Paul VI, who returned to the Father's house precisely on the Feast of the Transfiguration, 21 years ago now."
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Pax.
Mark Thomas
ByzRus, that was not a single slip, but three times running the same error, which is more a clue as to his own feelings as to the nature of heaven/hell and who gets there and how, and ignored any necessity of any purgation/purification required for union with God who is perfection, an error dodged by most any decently religiously educated Catholic, and ths man now leads the religion. Yes, I hold him to at least the standard I hold myself, and this also in three times, not one time, strikes me as intentional, even if for no other reason than to instill feel-good vibes for Francis at the cost of what the Church actually teaches. No slack.
Nowhere did he say they'd arrived after beginning the return trip/returning/turning around.
I get it, but the rush to judge so early on seems both unreasonable and unfair. He might just be having a human moment. Who knows???
Write to the Vatican with your concerns. I don't know what else can be said.
As for excusing him for lack of care in speech in public, this man also was the head of his religious order, and a diocean bishop....you'd think he has practice enough in knowing how to speak.
Having received the Apostolic Pardon before his death, Pope Francis, he of Happy Memory, has entered into the glory of Heaven.
ByzRus, I have no idea what your jones is for me in my comment and telling me to write the Vatican, while saying no such thing to Father for bringing up the issue, but either say that to both or say it to neither.
Isn't it at least a Roman tradition that death during the Octave of Easter results in entrance to heaven?
You jogged my memory on this topic.
I haven't one.
Fr. MJK is correct.
You just keep b****ing about words, perhaps you haven't had the opportunity to research, and what possibly do you want from us?
If your that concerned, escalate!
I looked this up. My recollection was too broad. RC theology is about if not outright aligned.
https://obitel-minsk.org/en/go-straight-into-heaven
It's been said that the late Holy Father was many things. I don't believe he was evil, nasty, perhaps, and personally misguided if not the same by his inner circle. His insistence on turning much into virtue signaling was troubling relative to tradition. Synodality, perhaps misappropriated from the East, could have had a cultural component. He's been judged, hopefully, with mercy given his absolution. We all can learn from him, the good and the bad, and move forward with a renewed sense of devotion, purpose and unity.
“Pope Francis, he of Happy Memory?” Sureły you jest?
It's what's said as you know.
As for me, I'm really trying to just say and think the right things and move on. He was a dichotomy....
TJM - No. And don't call me Surely!
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