Talks on the Sacramentals, by Msgr Arthur Tonne - Cemetery Blessing

 "The hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs shall hear the voice of the Son of God. And they who have done good shall come forth unto resurrection of life; but they who have done evil unto resurrection of judgment." St. John, 5:28, 29.

In August of 1949 the Associated Press reported that all was well in the Gibson Tomb at Sutton, England. Every August 12 since 1793 an official of the village makes an authorized inspection of this tomb to see that the bodies are undisturbed.

It all started 156 years ago in the day of grave robbers, so-called resurrection men, who dug up corpses without permission and sold the bodies to medical schools for students to dissect. When a certain James Gibson wealthy London merchant, passed away, his daughter Elizabeth feared this might happen. She had heavy railing set up around the tomb and sealed the entrance with a thick door and two massive locks.

When she died in 1793 she left a trust fund to pay for an inspection of the tomb "every August 12 forever." On that day in 1949 the vicar of Sutton unlocked the door, walked in, inspected the seven coffins, and found everything in order. It is generally believed that the Gibson family died out long ago.

The concern of Elizabeth Gibson for the body of her father is in line with the reverence of all civilized mankind for the remains of loved ones. It is very much in line with the spirit of the Church Christ founded. Mother Church even blesses the ground where they are buried.

On the eve of the dedication five crosses are planted on the place to be blessed, so arranged that they form a cross. The one in the center is taller than the other four. Before each cross is a stake with three candles.

1. These crosses, symbols of Christianity, indicate that in this new cemetery only Catholics are to rest. The Church forbids the burial there of Jews, pagans, and all who are not Catholic. The reason is that those who do not belong to the Church during life cannot be recognized by her after death.

The cross also indicates that those whose bodies rest there expect their salvation from Christ who died on the cross. They trust in His merits, and in the shadow of His cross they await the day of resurrection.

The cross in the center signifies Christ crucified, the center of life and death. This large, central cross must be mounted accordingly near the middle point of the burial ground. The other four crosses at the sides remind us of the consoling fact that the doctrine of Christ's death and resurrection has been spread to the four corners of the world.

2. The candles, lighted on the day of dedication, remind us that we owe the light of the Gospel, and especially the glad tidings of the first Easter, to our divine Savior, the Light of the World. They remind us of that light eternal which we beg for the departed:

"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon them."

On the day of dedication the bishop, vested in pontifical robes, goes to the principal cross, says a prayer and the Litany of the Saints. He asks God to bless, sanctify, and dedicate the cemetery that the human bodies resting there may merit, together with their souls, the joys of life everlasting. These prayers are said before the principal cross which represents Christ, through whom we expect the granting of our prayers.

The bishop blesses water, intones the Asperges, and goes from cross to cross sprinkling the ground with holy water. Meanwhile the choir chants psalms for the dead. At each cross he offers a prayer, incenses the cross, takes the three candles from the stakes, and puts them on the cross, one on the top, the other two on the arms. After a solemn preface he concludes the dedication with the following prayer:

"Holy Lord, Almighty Father, Eternal God, Sanctifier and Restorer of all places, from whom and through whom all benediction descends from heaven upon earth, bless this place that it may be a place of peace, a sweet refreshment and a place of rest for the dead, whose souls, whilst their bodies are buried here, or are to be buried here, may enjoy the sweetness of Thy love and joy and exultation, and remain in the heavenly Jerusalem until, on the great Day of Judgment, they receive again their bodies out of the graves, and thus hasten with the fruit of good works to meet the Lord, coming to judgment. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

Then he gives his blessing to all present and returns to the church, where either he or another celebrates Mass. These ceremonies are full of instruction and meaning. They are inspiring to recall especially during the month of the holy souls.

The holy water reminds us of the penance we must do if we wish to die happily. It also reminds us to help the departed souls. As ordinary water refreshes the thirsty, so holy water reminds us to refresh the Poor Souls with Mass, prayer, penance and works of charity.

The lighted candles represent eternal truths and especially Truth Himself, the Light of the world. They are attached to the cross because Christ, whom they represent, was nailed to the cross.

The incense reminds us that our prayers should be rising up to God for the souls of those dwelling in our place of peace.

Not all cemeteries are consecrated. In some communities part of the burial ground is consecrated; another part is not. In such cases the individual grave is blessed just before the burial.

Your cemetery is a place of honor. It is God's acre, it is a place of rest, a place of peace, a place of sleep. It is the blessed bed-room of our beloved. The Gibson grave was inspected once a year. But, you must go to the grave of your beloved every day, at least in prayerful thought. Also try to keep it neat and clean. The blessing of a cemetery is an inspiring sacramental. May it be inspiring to us. Amen.