Before the Cross: Praying with, for those who have died
Printer-friendly version
Send to friend
Do you ever wish that you could talk to someone you love who has died?
I do. I wish I could have at least one more conversation with each of my parents and with many of my friends and mentors who have died.
What would you say if you could have one last conversation with someone who has died?
Would you ask forgiveness for something you did (or didn’t do)? Would you thank them for a special favor they’d given you — or for a lifetime of love and friendship? Would you say, “I love you,” or, “I forgive you,” or “I really need your help right now”?
Catholic Christians have always believed in the importance of praying for those who have died. We also believe that the dead pray for us — that they intercede for us as advocates before the throne of God. This means, of course, that we believe there is a real relationship that continues to exist between the living and the dead. And like all personal relationships, we believe that our connection (communion) with those who have died is nourished and strengthened by personal, and sometimes intimate, communication.
A subscription is required to access this content.
Current online and print subscribers, click here to login and view this article.
Please click here to subscribe to the St. Louis Review. You may subscribe to the online edition only or both the online and print editions.
If you already have a subscription and are still unable to access this information, please contact the St. Louis Review.Why does the St. Louis Review require a subscription to access content online? (Click to view).
Related Articles
- Praying for those who have died is a spiritual work of mercy
- Before the Cross | Vibrant parishes have collaborative leaders, exercise good stewardship
- Before the Cross | The cross of Christ has set us free
- Before the Cross | God humbles Himself and becomes obedient to death on a cross
- Before the Cross | We are called to deny ourselves, take up the cross of Christ
