Parish Cemetery Visitation:
We will pray the Rosary and
bless graves of deceased loved one
Monday, November 2nd at 2 pm.
Holy Cross Cemetery and Oakwood Cemetery
The tradition of praying for the dead is an ancient one. The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed on November 2, provides an opportunity for us to pray for those we have lost during the year.
Below are recommendations for use in the home.
Family Traditions/Customs: There are two prominent traditions which are part of All Souls Day: visiting a cemetery and Home Altars (Day of the Dead).
Visiting a cemetery - One of the Corporal Works of Mercy is to bury the dead, which includes praying for the dead. Traditionally on All Souls Day and during this week, we devoutly/prayerfully visit a cemetery and pray for the dead. We place flowers on graves and work to beautify the graves and the cemetery as an expression of respect for the deceased. A plenary indulgence may be applied to the souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful who, on any and each day from November 1 to 8, devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, if only mentally, for the departed. Prayers are listed below.
This year, the Apostolic Penitentiary, in part because of COVID-19, has extended the All Souls indulgence for the duration of November. The actual decree may be found on the site for the Apostolic Penitentiary in Italian, Latin, and Spanish
Prayers When Visiting a Cemetery: for Parents, Relatives, Friends and All Deceased at https://catholictruth.net/
The Order for Visiting a Cemetery can be downloaded at http://www.sfcatholic.org/
Assemble a Home Altar to remembered deceased loved ones. Start with a table covered with a cloth, pictures of the faithful departed, perhaps a votive candle, and perhaps representations of their favorite foods or activities. Examples and instructions for creating an altar may be found easily on the internet.