Centuries of experience dealing with the death, or occasional resignation, of a pope has left the Catholic Church with thorough instructions detailing who has responsibility for planning the funeral, preparing for the election of a new pope and taking care of essential business in the meantime.
Tag: death
Church teachings on death
This month, on November 2, All Souls’ Day, the bishops of Wisconsin issued the fourth edition of Now and at the Hour of our Death, a pastoral letter concerning Catholic teaching on death and dying, end-of-life issues, and the importance of funeral planning.
Knowing the Four Last Things
November is the traditional month we as Catholics ponder the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell. As we celebrate All Saints’ Day on November 1 and pray for all the souls in Purgatory on November 2, God draws our hearts to ponder the brevity of this life, the urgency of conversion, the beauty of eternity with God, and the possibility of losing our salvation through habitual mortal sin without repentance.
Death is not the end
By embracing our death and lifting it up to the Father, the Lord takes away death’s power and finality.
Talk on the Catholic teachings about death
If you have any fear or anxiety about death, an upcoming discussion may give you hope.
Remembering Pope Bendict XVI
As the Church and the world mourn the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, we lift him in prayer to the Lord whom he served his entire life with such great devotion and faith; we also ponder his spiritual legacy with gratitude.
Statement from Bishop Hying on the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
I join my prayers to those of millions around the world, as we mourn the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. We are all grateful for his generous service to the Church, as a priest, theologian, professor, bishop, cardinal, and for his leadership of the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith during the pontificate of Pope Saint John Paul II, and his fruitful years as our Holy Father, the pope. His leadership of the Church at the time of Pope Saint John Paul II’s death, the funeral, and the days leading up to the papal conclave particularly stands out.
Sr. Mercedes Kucera, OP, has died
SINSINAWA — Sister Mercedes Kucera, OP, died Nov. 26, 2021, at St. Dominic Villa, Hazel Green, Wis. Her religious name was Sister Mary Meloria. The funeral Mass was held at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Dec. 3, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sr. Ruth Poochigian, OP, has died
SINSINAWA — Sister Ruth Poochigian, OP, died Oct. 22, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Manor, Footville, Wis. Natural burial took place Oct. 25 in the Motherhouse Cemetery, Sinsinawa, Wis. The funeral Mass was held at the motherhouse, Sinsinawa Oct. 27.
Sr. Eduarda Makal, OP, dies
SINSINAWA — Sr. Eduarda Makal, OP, died June 30, 2021, at the Dominican motherhouse, Sinsinawa, Wis. The funeral Mass was held at the motherhouse, Sinsinawa, July 12, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.