The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1913-05-24

the thought of death, to do away with
the solemnity, the sacredness, the
majesty of death. The unbeliever, the
worldly-minded Christian does not
want to be reminded of death. So
gay and gorgeous flowers are heaped
on the casket to hide away and pre-
vent any disturbing thought OF the
awful mystery beneath.
Now this is not Christian senti-
ment, and it is turning what should
be a sacred religious ceremony, the
burial of our hallowed dead, into a
vain and worldly pageant.
This unbecoming fashion is alto
gether contrary to the spirit Of the
Church. The rubrics of the Church
forbid flowers on the altar during a
funeral Mass, the altar is draped in
mourning, the priest wears black
vestments, the church pail that covers
the coffin is in mourning colors. All
in keeping with the great solemn
mystery of death.
Many bishops and priests have con-
demned this unbecoming practice and
in some places special orders have
been given from the pulpit that no
flowers would be permitted in the
church during Masses for the dead.
This frivolous fashion has lead to
grave abuses. Families vie Win each
other as to which will have the great
est number and most expensive
wreaths and boquets at funerals; and
not only the members of the bereaved
families but also their friends spend
extravagant sums on them. This
often results in an accumulation of
debts-not always paid-and in mis-
cradle jealousies, reproaches and
squabbles, and all the while the poor
departed soul is suffering in Purga-
tory craving-craving, not for flowers,
but for Mass, prayer.
Just think when we ourselves have
passed into the cleansing fire of Pur-
gatory, what comfort will it then be
to us to have flowers lavished on our
remains. Our poor souls will be thirst
ing, craving for prayers, for the Prec-
ious Blood in the holy sacrifice of the
Mass "Have pity on me at least you,
my friends" And our friends, even
our nearest and dearest, answer our
piteous pleading by strewing flowers
on our coffin!
Happy the departed soul, blessed
and consoled will that spirit be, whose
casket is covered, not with the bios
SONS that fade and are thrown aside,
but with cards recording promises of
friends to have Masses and prayers
offered for it's speedy entrance into
Heaven. And glad will we TOO be
when our turn comes to be so remem-
bered.
Form of Card.
In reverent memory of the dead and
with sincere sympathy (name OF
names) promise to have Mass or
Masses or prayers offered for the de-
parted soul.-R. l. P.
Oh! if this custom were adopted
what glory it would give to God, what
relief to the suffering souls, and what
blessings and graces and help il
would bring to ourselves in life, al
the hour of our death, and when we
pass into eternity.
But we must be practical. Let each
one do his or her part to put an enc
to this unbecoming fashion that has
grown into such an abuse. Let Masses
not Flowers" be our motto. Are
we not Catholics, the descendants o.
saints and martyrs? Do we not be
lieve in Purgatory, in the communion
of saints? Then, when death comes tt
our homes, let us show our faith, oul
hope, our charity by writing with the
notice of the death the words, ''Masset
not Flowers"