The second annual Catholic Cemeteries Week is being celebrated in the first week of November, coinciding with the Octave of All Saints.
Since November is the month that the Church has dedicated to prayers for the dead, and November starts off with the combination of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, it makes sense to consider the role of cemeteries in our Church and in our own lives and to pick out a few specific ways to participate.
Upcoming events
Here is an overview of events:
All Saints’ Day is a Solemnity and a Holy Day of Obligation so make plans for where you’re going to Mass on Friday, Nov. 1.
Since the obligation to celebrate solemnities supersedes the obligation to abstain from meat on Fridays, your dinner plans can have much more flexibility (and meaty deliciousness!).
On All Souls’ Day this year, Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison will be celebrating Mass on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 10 a.m. at Resurrection Cemetery in Madison, and all are invited.
Music will be provided by diocesan music director John Sittard accompanied by a schola.
If you can’t make it to Mass at the cemetery, check with your parish for the All Souls’ Day schedule and pray for the Holy Souls.
Note also that there is an indulgence available from November 1 to 8.
Get the details at madisondiocese.org/ccw-indulgence
Diocesan cemeteries also offer Lay Them to Rest — affectionately known as “Amnesty for Ashes” — to give those who are holding on to cremated remains a chance to bring them to the cemetery, pray for the departed, and give them a resting place on sacred ground, all at no cost.
Almost everyone knows someone who has cremated remains at home.
Encourage them to follow the Church’s teaching on November 2 or 3
See details at madisondiocese.org/rest
If you follow the diocese on social media, help us share Bishop Hying’s forthcoming four-part video series on the four last things: Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell.
The videos are shot at diocesan cemeteries and will be coming out during Catholic Cemeteries Week.
More opportunities
We take a great deal of pride in the beauty of our cemeteries. We care for them because they are sacred ground and because they hold the mortal remains of our loved ones until Jesus returns.
The Catholic Cemeteries Week Photo Contest is going on now to help us all appreciate the often poignant beauty of our cemeteries.
This year, the prize is Mass and dinner with Bishop Hying.
The deadline for entries is Wednesday, Oct. 30.
See madisondiocese.org/photo-contest for all the details.
Wreath sales for diocesan cemeteries (Beloit, Janesville, and Madison) are going on now.
Having cemetery staff place a beautiful natural wreath graveside is a tangible way to remember your loved ones.
Placement is planned before Thanksgiving, with removal in the spring.
Order at madisondiocese.org/wreath
Catholic Cemeteries Week is also a good time to consider year-round opportunities to support our cemeteries.
Cemetery Rosary walks are an excellent way of praying for those buried nearby, and they require little organization.
They can be done solo or in a group.
At diocesan cemeteries, you can sponsor a tree in memory of a loved one (see madisondiocese.org/tree).
And of course, making your cemetery plans ahead of time is a great gift to your family.
Call your cemetery and make an appointment to take care of this necessity.
If you’re estate planning, consider contributing to the perpetual care of the cemetery.
If you notice someone involved in the cemetery doing a good job, let them know.
For more information about Catholic Cemeteries Week, visit madisondiocese.org/ccw