Earlier PrayTell posted the sad news of the death of Fr. James Field of Boston. Today US Catholic posts his wise and witty remarks on the problem of eulogies at Catholic funerals.
Death by eulogy
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4 responses to “Death by eulogy”
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As Director of Pittsburgh’s Department for Worship, our Presbyteral Council recently asked me to compile some guidelines for “Remembrances of the Dead”. I wish I had seen the late Fr. Field’s comments prior. I do like the image of a “final report” to the congregation. Parishes reported both good and bad “Remembrances”. Though sadly, the bad are better remembered than the good.
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“The imagery of the OCF is strongly baptismal. The funeral Mass begins at the doors of the church, precisely where infant baptism or the catechumenal rites begin.”
Without Jim being here to respond to my remarks, I feel there may be something not right about commenting on my late and good friend’s article. But knowing Jim, I have a feeling he would welcome any dialog based on his insight.
Jim’s reading of the rite is certainly “right on,” however, I am afraid that pastoral practice, at least in my Archdiocese, has caused funeral planners to ignore the rubric regarding greeting the body at the door of the church. Here in Chicago, the body is most often greeted somewhere in the center of the nave, and in my humble opinion, the symbolism of the rite taking place at the door is totally lost. I know the argument that says, “ the people cannot take part when the rite is done in the back of the space”. I am not so sure that that argument holds a lot of water any longer.
Lavaliere microphones are commonplace in most churches. These devices have made it possible for adequate sound to carry throughout the church, even when used outside. If they work in the middle of the nave, they can certainly work at the door. The assembly hearing the rite is most often not an issue.
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It is important for the assembly to be visually engaged in the rite. But I likewise believe that the symbolism of the celebrations ministers: priest, lector, cantor, (lavaliere number 2), and servers all greeting the body and the mourners outside of the door, on the steps or plaza, or just inside the door of the church, far outweighs the alternative. When the greeting takes place in the middle of the nave, how many people are actually close enough to see anything anyway?
While it may be difficult for the assembly to join in a hymn while processing, the same principles used for a communion song can apply here. Songs like “Keep in Mind’ or “Be Not Afraid” with their familiar and appropriate refrains can be put to good use. Or how about a setting of the “Litany of the Saints”?
Every space is different and care must be taken to use the space effectively. I am impressed how well the architects, planners, and liturgists responsible for the construction of new buildings and the renovation of older spaces so often take into account a well-placed emphasis given to the inclusion of a gathering space, driveways with plazas designed to create a sense of welcome, and fonts placed at the door. And yet, unfortunately, it seems we sometimes don’t quite know how to use the space or take advantage of the well thought-out blueprints.
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I once attended an Easter vigil at a newer church complete with a large font prominently placed near the back at the entrance door. The font completed the spacious entryway and was placed well in the sight of the assembly in this semicircular, graded space. Unfortunately, this rather perfect baptismal setting was left unused. The blessing of water, at this vigil, took place in the sanctuary. A small crystal bowl of water was sitting on a lovely white doily — on top of a of a tall, wooden, living room side table that was designed to hold a lamp. Sometimes, I just don’t get.
All that being said, Jim was right about eulogies.
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