When thinking about a celebration, I am certain that the first thing that comes to mind is one of life’s many joyful events: a wedding, a retirement, an anniversary, a birthday, the 250th anniversary of the United States, or any number of important events. Merriam-Websters’ defines it as “the act or process of celebrating” and within the definition is included, “the performance of a public religious ceremony or of a sacred rite”. When considering all the forms of celebration we may encounter over the years, there is one that can be the most impactful: the celebration of the Eucharistic sacrifice.

As Catholics, we celebrate the Eucharist to be present with Christ, to be with Him and Him in us, and we celebrate His conquest of death. When a loved one dies, we celebrate Mass as a grieving community. We participate in Christ’s sacrifice and join with Him when we take and eat the flesh and blood of our Savior. The funeral Mass is the most beautiful celebration of life because it is the truest acknowledgment of His conquest and our perfect way of praying for the soul of our faithful departed. This acknowledgment of Christ’s living body is the true power of the Eucharist, as it is not merely a remembrance of Christ’s death but an opportunity to be in Him and Him in us. We believe that “[t]he whole Christ is truly present — body, blood, soul, and divinity — under the appearances of bread and wine, the glorified Christ who rose from the dead.” – USCCB, What is the Eucharist.

When reflecting on the importance of the Mass, I think of those members of my family who escaped a brutal atheistic ideology, leaving behind everything only to end up in refugee camps. Many were not so fortunate and lost their lives because of their Catholic faith. Despite all the hardships they endured, Sunday mass was attended by all and somehow, they always wore their Sunday best. As refugees, tomorrow was the unknown. Would they survive another day, would they be forcibly returned to a certain death, where would they live if they survived? Despite the unknowns, what each of them did know was that God was with them and no matter what happened, their faith in Jesus Christ would protect them. They knew that the protection that held the greatest value for them was faith in the world to come. Each had a unique understanding of the power of God and that in Jesus was the true path toward paradise and that atheistic ideology was powerless when it came to their Catholic faith. Celebrating their faith meant everything and Pope Leo said it best when he wrote, “Thus, the Eucharist is the sacrament of the Kingdom that is to come”.

I find it deeply meaningful when a Funeral Mass is celebrated for the deceased because it is one of the most beautiful liturgical rites that can be offered for a loved one who has been called home. We celebrate the life of the deceased while participating in the Eucharistic sacrifice. Bringing these meaningful expressions of faith in God together allows us to acknowledge a life that mattered because that person is a child of God, while also bringing a deeper meaning to our goodbye.

I find the Funeral Mass uplifting in its ceremony and a meaningful way of expressing our love for the deceased. I understand that, to some, a Mass may seem highly ritualistic, but within that ritual can be a profound sense of peace and incredible comfort. Catholics of all levels of devotion have been celebrating Funeral Masses for centuries, finding hope and consolation in this sacred rite. It truly is one of the greatest celebrations of life we can offer our loved ones who have been called home by God to one of the many dwelling places Jesus told us about.

Heaven is real, God is real, Jesus died and rose from the dead, we were freed of original sin, and now in a time of tech we don’t have the time to slow down when a loved one dies and celebrate a Mass. I understand death in ways most do not, so my advice is slow down and reflect on where you are in life and take a moment to spend with God and in the celebration of the Eucharistic sacrifice you will find consolation.

God Bless

Andrej Lah