Can Obama Deliver A Eulogy At A Catholic Funeral Mass?

[dUSt]

Okay, so Obama is going to deliver a eulogy at Ted Kennedy's funeral. That would be liturgically incorrect if this was done during the actual funeral mass. Maybe it will be after the funeral mass? Has anyone heard anything about this?

[Archaeology cat]

I'd heard he was doing the eulogy, but don't know anything else.

[Archaeology cat]

Just did a quick Google search, and the headlines are saying the eulogy will be at the actual Mass, but I don't know how accurate that is.

[CatherineM]

I didn't think we were supposed to have Eulogies, but Ted gave one at Bobby's funeral, so I guess there are exceptions.

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='dUSt' date='28 August 2009 - 09:33 AM' timestamp='1251473589' post='1957173']
Okay, so Obama is going to deliver a eulogy at Ted Kennedy's funeral. That would be liturgically incorrect if this was done during the actual funeral mass. Maybe it will be after the funeral mass? Has anyone heard anything about this?
[/quote]
Correct . . . Catholic funerals, as I understand it, are not supposed to have eulogies.

[StColette]

According the Order of Christian Funerals:

FINAL COMMENDATION

170. Following the prayer after communion, the priest goes to a place near the coffin. The assisting ministers carry the censer and holy water, if these are to be used.

[b]A member or a friend of the family may speak in remembrance of the deceased before the final commendation begins.[/b]

[Apotheoun]

As I understand it, the final commendation occurs only after the Mass.

[StColette]

[quote name='Apotheoun' date='28 August 2009 - 12:02 PM' timestamp='1251475341' post='1957195']
As I understand it, the final commendation occurs only after the Mass.
[/quote]

According to the Order of Christian Funerals, the Final Commendation comes directly after the Liturgy of the Eucharist. So according to this, a family member or friend could speak before the final commendation begins. Reading what takes place in the Final Commendation it seems as if the Mass is still taking place. The last thing to take place according to the OCF is the procession to the place of committal, which that seems to indicate that this is when the Mass ends.

I'm actually helping with planning a funeral at the moment, so I'll ask the priest when he has a moment to see if he can clarify for me if the Final Commendation is part of the Mass or not.

[Apotheoun]

Giving eulogies at funerals, because of the imprecision of the "rubrics" specific to the Latin Church in America, are popular in the United States, but an address of that type is really inappropriate in a liturgical setting.

Edited August 28, 2009 by Apotheoun

[StColette]

[quote name='Apotheoun' date='28 August 2009 - 12:23 PM' timestamp='1251476613' post='1957211']
Giving eulogies at funerals, because of the imprecision of the "rubrics" specific to the Latin Church in America, are popular in the United States, but an address of that type is really inappropriate in a liturgical setting.
[/quote]

I think many diocese heavily restrict it or don't allow it at all. I know our parish doesn't allow it, because it can get very out of hand. I know some parishes that are very strict about what they will allow to be said and that it generally requires the Pastor's approval before it can be read. I guess I don't see a point on giving a eulogy when certain things will most likely come up in the homily, especially if they were long time parishioners or the priest knew them fairly well.

[homeschoolmom]

I thought that's what wakes are for....

[Archaeology cat]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' date='28 August 2009 - 05:35 PM' timestamp='1251477338' post='1957219']
I thought that's what wakes are for....
[/quote]
That's what I thought, too.

[Apotheoun]

Eulogies tend to turn into speeches where the speaker implies that the deceased person is already experiencing heavenly bliss, which is simply beyond the ability of the speaker to know for a fact.

Edited August 28, 2009 by Apotheoun

[Saint Therese]

Nothing would be more appropriate than our Muslim president giving a eulogy at a Catholic Mass for someone who publicly acted contrary to the teachings of the Church for decades.

[Maggyie]

Hmmmm... my copy of the Order of Christian Funerals specifically says "never any kind of eulogy."

In my experience the final commendation is at the grave site.

See this article:

[quote]Father Vogelpohl also cited the revised General Instruction of the Roman Missal promulgated by John Paul II in year 2000, in which the prohibition of eulogies was again restated: "At the Funeral Mass there should, as a rule, be a short homily, but never a eulogy of any kind."

But just as importantly, he explained why the ban exists in the first place. "The firm belief of the Catholic Church is that the Christian funeral is not a celebration of the life of the person who has died, even though we honor and express gratitude for all God's gifts to that person."[/quote]

http://catholicexchange.com/2007/01/25/92709/