Bishop Beckman celebrates memorial Mass at cathedral columbarium
By Bill Brewer
The commemoration of All Souls’ Day, which was Nov. 2, took on special meaning at churches, cemeteries, and columbaria around the Diocese of Knoxville as the faithful departed were remembered and intently prayed for on that weekend.
Bishop Mark Beckman blesses the columbarium niches at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus with holy water during the All Souls’ Day Mass on Nov. 2. (Photo Bill Brewer)
The columbarium at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus was one of those solemn places as Bishop Mark Beckman celebrated Mass in commemoration of all those who have died. Underneath a picturesque blue fall sky, the bishop comforted those who have lost loved ones, and he blessed the columbarium niches with holy water.
The well-attended outdoor Mass included music liturgy from the Sacred Heart Cathedral choir, led by Glenn Kahler. More than 100 people made up the congregation.
Concelebrating the Mass were cathedral rector Father David Boettner and cathedral associate pastors Father Martin Gladysz and Father Danny Herman. Deacon Walt Otey assisted at the Mass.
The Mass began with the entrance antiphon: “Just as Jesus died and has risen again, so through Jesus God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep; and as in Adam all die, so also in Christ will all be brought to life.”
“Today is a day of remembrance of all of those who have gone before us. And we pray for those who are in the process of being purified to enter into the life of God forever,” Bishop Beckman said as he began the Mass. “It is so good that we are here in this place to celebrate the sacred mysteries surrounded by the remains of so many of our loved ones who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith.”
The bishop told those in attendance to be mindful that in the journey through life, the place where we are closest to heaven is during the Eucharist itself.
“So, here as we celebrate the Eucharist, our loved ones, who have gone before us, are very close indeed,” the bishop said.
Bishop Beckman related a “very moving passage” from the Confessions of St. Augustine that appears in the Liturgy of the Hours and its Office of Readings. As St. Monica was approaching the hour of her death, she became very ill. Some of those accompanying Monica wanted her to return home to North Africa to die.
The bishop said that Monica responded, “Do not worry about where you bury me. I ask one thing of you. Wherever you go, remember me at the altar of the Lord.” Very shortly after that, Monica did indeed fall asleep in the Lord, the bishop noted.
“To me, the reminder is that on this day, especially on the commemoration of all the faithful departed, we gather to remember those we’ve known and loved who have gone before us. As Augustine was asked by his mother, Monica, to remember her, wherever he went, at the altar of the Lord. That’s what we do here today,” Bishop Beckman said.
“It’s a sacred place of remembrance. It is true that anytime and anyplace, we can remember them. We can pray for them. And we can come to this place, this columbarium, especially if your loved ones’ remains are here, we can come to this place at any moment,” he added.
The fact that friends and family were gathered on All Souls’ Day around the table of the Lord to celebrate the Eucharist for loved ones together as a community of faith is impactful, according to Bishop Beckman.
“I find that very profound and very healing. This place is a place of closeness with the risen Lord. What we are praying for today is that the goodness of God, the mercy of God, and the love of God may continue to purify and heal all of those who journey to the kingdom of heaven,” he shared.
“Those experiencing the unfolding mystery of God’s purgative love, that they may know forever the life of God’s goodness, and that someday we will see them again face to face in God’s kingdom,” he continued.
Father Mark Schuster, pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish in Crossville, leads an All Souls’ Day service at the St. Alphonsus columbarium, where he blessed the columbarium niches with holy water, and parishioners lit luminaries dedicated to the faithful departed of the parish. (Photo courtesy St. Alphonsus Parish)
Bishop Beckman spoke of the “sacred emptiness” some people feel when they lose a cherished loved one. He said when that happens, loved ones always carry inside themselves an emptiness.
“That special place is reserved until we see them again face to face in God’s kingdom,” he noted. “That is a holy mystery, and we bring that place to the Lord here, at the table of the Lord.”
Following his homily, Bishop Beckman blessed the columbarium and sprinkled the niches with holy water, a comforting and pastoral moment for those in attendance who have experienced the loss of loved ones.
The intercessions read by Deacon Otey included prayers for the Church to remain strong in the faith of the resurrection of the dead and diligent in praying for the faithful departed, for those mourning the loss of loved ones and that family suffering may be eased, and that Jesus’ death and resurrection may free those in purgatory who most need God’s mercy.
Afterward, Bishop Beckman and the concelebrating priests greeted those who attended the solemn Mass outside of the columbarium.
The Mass has become an annual ceremony since the columbarium and the surrounding memorial garden were completed about five years ago.
