The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-11-13

A deep reverence, a loving recollec-
ton of the dead is one of the most
beautiful traits of nation, one Of the
noblest characteristics of the human
heart. Yes, dear brethren, the placing
upon the graves of our dear ones, the
pure fresh flowers, the tribute of YOUR
love, is indeed beautiful token of
your remembrance of them, but there
is far more precious tribute YOU are
never to forget-the tribute of YOUR
prayers.
The grave holds the mortal remains
of your friends, but the immortal spark,
the soul, rests not there It's home is
in the eternity. Back to the eternal
lands the soul has flown, back to the
beginning and end of existence-God.
We cannot follow that soul there with
the tribute Of flowers or any other gift,
however precious, but we can follow
it with those spiritual ads-prayer and
other good works done in it's behalf.
Faith tells us of the immortality of
the soul beyond the tomb. Faith tells
us of that Heaven which God had pre-
pared for those that love and serve
Him, but faith tells lis, too that no
soul defiled with the least stain of sin
shall enter there. The soul that de-
parts this life with one spot of sin up
on it will have to pass through the
fires of purgatory before it can bask
in the pure presence of its God. In the
second book Of Maccabees we read that
when the valiant Judas Machabaeus
came into the city of Odollam he cast
aside the sword and betook himself 20
prayer. In the graveyards above the
cities, in the graveyards meath the
shadows of the mountains, our loved
ones lie sleeping Let us place upon
their graves the tribute OF flower and
tear; let US go often there to pause
and linger and take in the sermon t'.ose
hallowed mounds of earth preacl. to us
on the vanity Of all earthly things, and
let this thought come home to us. too
In the eternity the souls of our loved
ones may be held back On account OF
faults and imperfections from the light
that knows not might, from the glory
that has no bounds. Gh, let us hasten
to their aid and with our prayers, our
good works, that tho gates Of the eter-
nal day may spring open for them and,
entering there, they may enjoy the bea-
tific vision.
The Catholic church, our loving
mother, invites us many times during
the year. and especially during this
month Of November to join our ear
nest prayers with hers for the dear
departed Oh, how that great mother
loves her children! From their first
for them, she watches over then See
how lovingly she brings her babes To
the baptismal font and in The name of
I the Blessed Trinity makes them chill
dren of God See how in confirmation
she imparts to her boys and girls the
spirit of holiness, fOrtitude and truth
Whispering to them at the same time:
"Go forth. Be virtuous men and Wo-
men. Fight the battles Of the Christ
valiantly and we'll" And ah, If one OF
her children stray away into the darl'
of sin, she follows after him to seek
him and bring him home to light. tt
peace, to his God. And when the shad-
ows are falling she gives to her chill
dren~the Bread Of Life and sends them
forth with the lamp of faith and hops
and love to meet their God. Nor Is
this all. She follows then, into the
eternity beyond with her sacrifice, hel
prayers and her aims deeds Clothed
in the garments of mourning, she of.
fers up the mass, the one great sacri'
flee of the new law for the dead sol.
diers of the Christ, and sweet ant
strong and hopeful the beautiful re-
uuiem issues from her lipa:
eternal rest grant t. them. On
| Lord, and may their sous rest IL
! peace"