Cemeterians of the Holy Ground
The
ministry of Cemeterians is as old as creation itself. It has always had many
diverse dimensions depending on religion, race and culture. Since the beginning
of time, people have prayed for their deceased loved ones in their own
manner.
An
invitation to be a Cemeterian has been extended to all the living, the Church
Militant, from the Church Suffering, to pray for them, since they are unable to
pray for themselves any longer. The ministry of Cemeterian urges the living to
actually go to the graveside and pray for their deceased loved ones, so that the
suffering souls may receive special graces and indulgences.
“An
indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to the
faithful, who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally for the
departed. The indulgence is plenary each day from the 1st to the
8th of November; on other days of the year it is partial.
(Enchiridion of Indulgences)
“The Church also
commends almsgiving, indulgences and works of penance undertaken on behalf of
the dead. Let us help and commemorate them. If Job’s sons were purified by their
father’s sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring
them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to
offer our prayers for them”. Catechism of the Catholic Church #
1032.
“An
indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of
the temporal punishment due to sin”. Indulgences may be applied to the living or
the dead.Catechism of the Catholic Church #1471.
“Since
the faithful departed, now being purified, are also members of the same
Communion of Saints, one way we can help them is to obtain indulgences for them,
so that the temporal punishments due for their sins, may be remitted.
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1479.
“Through
indulgences, the faithful can obtain the remission of temporal punishment
resulting from sins for themselves and also for the souls of purgatory”.
Catechism of the Catholic Church # 1498.
“And
if the faithful offer indulgences in suffrage for the dead, they cultivate
charity in an excellent way and while raising their minds to Heaven, they bring
a wiser order into the things of this world. Although indulgences are in fact
free gifts, nevertheless, they are granted for the living as well as for the
dead.”
“One
day, rapt in ecstasy, Blessed Mary of Quito, saw in the midst of a large space,
an immense table covered with heaps of silver, gold, rubies, pearls and diamonds
and at the same time, she heard a voice saying, ‘These riches are public
property; each one may approach and take as much as he pleases’. God made known
to her that this was a symbol of indulgences.
The
purpose of this ministry is to encourage people to go the graveside of their
deceased loved ones and pray for their release from purgatory. They know when we
go to their grave. If your loved one has already been purified and gone to
Heaven, our Heavenly Father gives our prayers to another languishing soul.
