4 Things to Do for the Immortal Souls of Our Dying Loved Ones

This is a very important article!! In this day and age, we have completely lost sight of the importance of the Catholic teachings on the end of life and the gift of the last rites. We speak of our dead as if they are already and even automatically in heaven as soon as they die. That is presumption. Out of authentic love for our dying and deceased loved ones we need to understand this information!

For the sake of my immortal soul...
***LET IT BE KNOWN***

1. If I am ever close to death, please do the following:

Before you call ANYONE, Call a priest. Call 3 priests. Call 987 priests! Just get one there pronto!

If I am alert, I want a priest to hear my last confession. I want to recite the Creed with him. I want to renew my Baptismal promises. I want to be anointed with holy oil and hopefully be given the Apostolic Pardon . I want the Viaticum (final Eucharist).

2. If I die, I want all of the Catholic rites:

• Vigil - with all the proper prayers and a rosary, please.
• ***Liturgical Rite: Requiem (funeral) MASS - with a proper homily according to the readings and Gospel - NOT A EULOGY!!! Don’t allow anyone to speak in a Eulogy! I forbid it. Glorify GOD, not me. I request all the smells and bells for His Majesty.
• Rite of Committal (at burial)

*** I want a Mass - not a "celebration of life." A Catholic Mass is squarely focused on Christ and this is no different for a funeral Mass.

If you must talk about/remember me, have a hooley (Irish party) after the burial, with lots of food and adult beverages (drink responsibly!). But when you talk about me, be honest - because my life is not all roses. I have a story, but God is the main character. He saved me from eternal death. Celebrate THAT.

3. And last, but not least: PRAY FOR ME!

Please do not, as I see all too often these days, speak of me as if I am already in Heaven. Do not canonize me. Chances are very good that when I die, I will still be attached to something which needs to be purified by His fiery love. Nothing unclean can enter His presence. If I wake up in purgatory, I will be grateful for His mercy, but please pray for me so I don't have to be in the ante chamber until the second coming.

***I promise to pray for you***

4. And one final thought: Don't let me hear from the other side any of you use the phrase, "Heaven just gained an angel." Besides, the fact is, I am no "angel”. Angels are an entirely different species. Human beings cannot, and do not, become angels. We remain the glorious creatures He created in His own image and likeness. Also, no one say, "We shouldn't mourn." Total hogwash. Unless of course, you're glad to be rid of me. Haha!

I hope to live as long as He deems fitting - and if I should have long suffering, I pray to be given the grace to suffer well and glorify Him. Lawd knows I'll need that help.

-Original by Kassie O'Brien with edits by me