ASK DEACON MIKE

I recently received two questions that I would like to address with you.  The first came from a parishioner.  This person asks:  Dear Deacon Mike,  If I were to be cremated, can I still have a church service.  Are there any advanced preparations I must make? 

This is an excellent question and I am sure many Catholics find this subject confusing.  The Church in past years did not allow cremation.  However, when Pope John Paul II updated Cannon Law in 1983, this prohibition was removed with a stipulation that cremation not be seen as a denial of the resurrection of the body at the end of time.  Cannon 1176 addresses the definition and purpose of funeral rites:  The Christian faithful departed are to be given ecclesiastical funeral rites according to the norm of law.  The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the dead be observed; it does not, however, forbid cremation unless it has been chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching.  So, now we must look closely at what the Church considers reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching. 

The commentary on Cannon Law goes on to say that the Church has never been against cremation as such but discouraged it because of the reasons people used to justify it.  The Holy See (the Vatican) has said that permission for cremation is to be denied only when it is based on a sectarian spirit, hatred of the Catholic religion or Church, or a denial of Christian doctrine.
If a Catholic believes in the teachings of the Church then there is no reason to deny cremation.  However, I strongly suggest that anyone who desires to be cremated put their wishes and the reasons in writing.  A good way to do this is to consult with a funeral director when making prearrangements.  It would also be a good idea to consult with your local parish clergy (priest or deacon) to make sure there are no misconceptions.

The second question came from a visitor to our parish.  My seven year old grandson, Will Bane, was here this past weekend.  He wanted to know why his grandpa and the priest wore white gowns over their shirts and pants.  Well, that is a pretty good question, especially for a seven year old.
The Alb can be worn by any minister who participates in the liturgies of the Church.  It is worn 1) as a sign of respect to the special nature of the action (the liturgy itself) and 2) as a sign of our baptism.  Because of the special nature of their function priests, deacons and altar servers wear albs.  However, there are other vestments that are worn and the color of the vestment has a special meaning.

When participating in a liturgy, those ministers who have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders (ordination) also wear a stole.  The stole is a piece of cloth worn over the shoulders and it is a sign of the particular order of the one who wears it.  Bishops and priests wear the stole over each shoulder and it hangs freely in the front.  The deacon wears his stole over the right shoulder across the chest hanging to the left.
The outer garment worn by the bishop and priest is called a chasuble.  It fits over the head and hangs freely.  The deacon wears an outer garment called a dalmatic.  It is worn in a similar fashion but it is cut differently so that the sleeves do not get in the way of the work of the deacon.  This is to demonstrate the purpose of the deacon as a servant.

The colors have special meanings, also.  White vestments are worn for feasts of the Lord and the Blessed Mother.  Red is worn on feasts of the Holy Spirit and martyrs.  Purple is worn during penitential times, Advent and Lent.  Green is worn during ordinary time.

I would like to thank all of you, and my grandson, for your questions.  Please continue to send them in and I will answer as quickly as possible.  I love you all.

Deacon Mike Franks