The day after the celebration of the birth of Christ we were asked to look beyond the time of His own death and Resurrection to the death of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. St. Stephen, the martyr, made himself vulnerable to martyrdom, as did Jesus by becoming man.
Everything in Jesus’ life led to the act of His sacrifice on the Cross. Jesus was born to be a martyr, a witness to God’s immense love for us.
Catholic cemeteries are established as a sacred place for the burial of the faithful.
“The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the dead be observed; it does not, however, forbid cremation unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine” (Canon 1176, par.3) .
The name cemetery refers to a “sleeping place.” With belief and hope, we know that God has the power to awaken us.
The Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary have formed the art to be placed on our diocesan mausolea. The current mausolea in Resurrection (Allentown) and Holy Saviour (Bethlehem) cemeteries have panels that state the “I Am the Resurrection” and “The Ascension” Mysteries of the Rosary. This art is enhanced by symbols of the alpha and omega (beginning and the end).
A new mausoleum is almost completed at Holy Saviour Cemetery that will have 620 crypts for full body entombments and 240 niches for the entombment of cremated human remains. This structure will have panels of art that honor the Descent of the Holy Spirit as “Tongues of Fire” and “The Assumption,” the next two Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.
Most certainly, Jesus is the Savior of our living and deceased brethren. He is the Omega point to which our cemeteries bear witness, attesting to our ultimate hope of being with Him in Heaven!
By Monsignor William Baver, diocesan director of cemeteries, and pastor of SS. Simon and Jude, Bethlehem and Our Lady Help of Christians, Allentown.
