February 3, 2026
The following is an excerpt from an article titled, “Why a Catholic Funeral?” by Fr. Michael Cummins, pastor of St. Dominic Church in Kingsport, TN. It was originally published by Word on Fire:
“Our Catholic faith has a wonderful tradition of having Masses offered for our dearly departed. This tradition is rooted in our firm belief in the resurrection. In the resurrection of Christ, death has been overcome, and just as we pray for one another while here on Earth, so we can assist our loved ones who have died with our prayers just as they can pray for us. The Mass said for a deceased loved one is a way that the Church gathered offers prayers for a loved one as he or she is brought into the beatific vision – full life with God. Yes, we can pray for our deceased loved ones, and it is important to do so. Scripture often testifies to the power of the prayers of the gathered community. If you wish to have a Mass offered for a loved one, contact your parish office. It is a holy thing to do and an act of mercy.
In the Catholic faith, in addition to the well-known Corporal Works of Mercy, we have seven Spiritual Works of Mercy that we are expected to perform. They are: 1. To instruct the ignorant 2. To counsel the doubtful 3. To admonish sinners 4. To bear wrongs patiently 5. To forgive offenses willingly 6. To comfort the afflicted and 7. To pray for the living and the dead.
There is no more efficacious way to pray for the living and the dead than to have a Mass offered for them. This can be done either at your church or through any of the many religious organizations, which allow Masses to be celebrated, often over the period of a year for a loved one who has died or is sick.”
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