On a warm fall day, on the Feast of All Souls, dozens of people gathered together with Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison before a new statue and columbarium now adorning the grounds of Resurrection Cemetery.
Day: November 10, 2020
Cistercian Sisters thank supporters, welcome gifts
“And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.”
— 1 Chronicles 29:13
PRAIRIE DU SAC — November is the month when we celebrate all the saints, remember the deceased in our prayers in a particular way, and set apart a day to thank God for His many blessings.
Although it might not seem obvious at first, these practices are closely linked, especially in the monastic tradition.
An autumn reflection
The bare tree outside my office, which only days ago was laden with fiery red leaves, reminds me that autumn is rapidly moving us towards the snow and cold of winter, as nature falls asleep.
This fallow period of dormancy, rest, and apparent lifelessness we know well, both because we live in Wisconsin, where our trees are leafless six months out of the year and because we have tasted the cycles of the Paschal Mystery, the dying and rising of Christ.
The poignancy of these colder and darker November days speaks of the golden summer now past, the brevity of life as we pray for the dead and the cycle of the seasons of the heart.
‘Don’t wish your life away’
 |
|
Not unlike millions of other people at various times in their lives, a few weeks ago, I was having somewhat of an undesirable day at work, and I wanted nothing more than to make the clock go faster and go home for the day.
Upon expressing this desire to a friend of mine, I was told, “Don’t wish your life away”.
Ever since my friend uttered that chiding, but necessary, comment it’s really stuck with me.The Order of Christian Funerals: Life is changed, not ended
The following article is the next installment in a series that will appear in the Catholic Herald to offer catechesis and formation concerning end of life decisions, dying, death, funerals, and burial of the dead from the Catholic perspective.