Can Obama Deliver A Eulogy At A Catholic Funeral Mass?

[Maggyie]

I just saw the article quotes the exact part of the Order I am remembering:

[quote]"In 1989 the Vatican published the revised Order of Christian Funerals (OCF) for the United States. The long-standing prohibition of eulogies at Catholic funerals was again upheld and restated. ‘A brief homily based on the readings should always be given at the funeral liturgy, but never any kind of eulogy.'"[/quote]

[Guest Servant of Divine]

Eugolies are said just before the Song of Farewell.

[CatherineM]

I'm not sure there is a priest in Boston who would say no to Obama.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='CatherineM' date='28 August 2009 - 02:00 PM' timestamp='1251478853' post='1957245']
I'm not sure there is a priest in Boston who would say no to Obama.
[/quote]
Interesting thinking about what the Bishop will do....

[Hassan]

[quote name='Saint Therese' date='28 August 2009 - 12:48 PM' timestamp='1251478082' post='1957228']
Nothing would be more appropriate than our Muslim president
[/quote]



Seriously?

[Guest Servant of Divine]

[quote name='Hassan' date='28 August 2009 - 01:14 PM' timestamp='1251479663' post='1957257']
Seriously?
[/quote]

Some people just are proud of their ignorance.

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='Servant of Divine' date='28 August 2009 - 11:29 AM' timestamp='1251480546' post='1957269']
Some people just are proud of their ignorance.
[/quote]
You shouldn't talk about yourself that way.

[StColette]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' date='28 August 2009 - 12:35 PM' timestamp='1251477338' post='1957219']
I thought that's what wakes are for....
[/quote]

Apparently it's more appropriate at the vigil (wake) but is permissible in some dioceses before the Final Commendation.

[Apotheoun]

I just hope that Ted Kennedy's funeral does not turn into an NBC Big Event like Michael Jackson's.

[Saint Therese]

[quote name='Hassan' date='28 August 2009 - 01:14 PM' timestamp='1251479663' post='1957257']
Seriously?
[/quote]

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, its probably a duck.

[Apotheoun]

What kind of duck are you talking about?

[StColette]

Found this post from Fr. Cappie

[quote name='cappie' date='10 July 2009 - 07:04 PM' timestamp='1247267075' post='1916902']
From 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]

Invitation to Prayer

171. Using one of the following invitations, or one of those provided in no. 402, or in similar words, the priest faces the people and begins the final commendation.

A

Before we go our separate ways, let us take leave of our brother/sister. May our farewell express our affection for him/her; may it ease our sadness and strengthen our hope. One day we shall joyfully greet him/her again when the love of Christ, which conquers all things, destroys even death itself.

B

Trusting in God, we have prayed together for N. and now we come to the last farewell. There is sadness in parting, but we take comfort in the hope that one day we shall see N. again and enjoy his/her friendship. Although this congregation will disperse in sorrow, the mercy of God will gather us together again in the joy of his kingdom. Therefore let us console one another in the faith of Jesus Christ.

Silence

172. All pray in silence.

(Signs of Farewell)

173. The coffin may now be sprinkled with holy water and incensed, or this may take place during or after the song of farewell

Song of Farewell

174. The song of farewell is then sung. The following or other responsories chosen from no. 403, may be used or some other song may be sung.

Saints of God, come to his/her aid!

Hasten to meet him/her, angels of the Lord!

R. Receive his/her soul and present him/her to God the Most High.

May Christ, who called you, take you to himself;

may angels lead you to the bosom of Abraham.

R. Receive his/her soul and present him/her to God the Most High.

Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon him/her.

R. Receive his/her soul and present him/her to God the Most High.

Prayer of Commendation

175. The priest then says one of the following prayers.

A

Into your hands, Father of mercies,

we commend our brother/sister N.

in the sure and certain hope

that, together with all who have died in Christ,

he/she will rise with him on the last day.

(We give you thanks for the blessings

which you bestowed upon N. in this life:

they are signs to us of your goodness

and of our fellowship with the saints in Christ.)

Merciful Lord,

turn toward us and listen to our prayers:

open the gates of paradise to your servant

and help us who remain

to comfort one another with assurances of faith,

until we all meet in Christ

and are with you and with our brother/sister for ever.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

B

To you, O Lord, we commend the soul of N. your servant;

in the sight of this world he/she is now dead;

in your sight may he/she live for ever.

Forgive whatever sins he/she committed through human weakness

and in your goodness grant him/her everlasting peace.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

PROCESSION TO THE PLACE OF COMMITTAL
[/quote]

[Apotheoun]

It would be interesting to see if that quotation is based on the older liturgical books, or the more recently issued texts.

[eagle_eye222001]

[quote name='Saint Therese' date='28 August 2009 - 12:48 PM' timestamp='1251478082' post='1957228']
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.
[/quote]

Shouldn't call him that. I know you, many others, and I are not big fans of him......at all.........but really shouldn't call him that.

[quote name='CatherineM' date='28 August 2009 - 01:00 PM' timestamp='1251478853' post='1957245']
I'm not sure there is a priest in Boston who would say no to Obama.
[/quote]

I would hope that we would have priests who would be willing to stand up against scandal.

[quote name='Apotheoun' date='28 August 2009 - 01:47 PM' timestamp='1251481679' post='1957282']
I just hope that Ted Kennedy's funeral does not turn into an NBC Big Event like Michael Jackson's.
[/quote]

It's going to happen. I'm not happy about it, but I'm expecting it.

[zunshynn]

[quote name='CatherineM' date='28 August 2009 - 09:50 AM' timestamp='1251474657' post='1957186']
I didn't think we were supposed to have Eulogies, but Ted gave one at Bobby's funeral, so I guess there are exceptions.
[/quote]

There are always exceptions for a Kennedy.