Category: Tradition

Defending the Sacred Tradition Part 4 – The Society of St. Pius X

Post author By Jude Missa
Post date November 2, 2022

These changes the results of liturgical abuses such as clown mass and pagan rituals enter the church including the Holy Mass. Some priest approves of faithful marrying other religion sect and convert to their religion. Some Priests are not wearing cassock and some nuns often removing their veils. Catechism is no longer available in most of the church today. This is what Archbishop Lefebvre warn us of disorder than becomes a danger to out faith. This is why Pope St. Pius V fixed when there’s a disorder in the church and this is why St. Pius X restore so we can once again worship Christ in the right manner and strengthen our faith. When Archbishop Lefebvre retired as Superior General of Holy Ghost Fathers, he was approached by young French seminarians who are traditionalist.

Let me pause for a moment to make a note that Sanhedrin.net is not affiliated to the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) or any Traditional Catholic Societies. But we have the same goal to spread and teach the readers about the Sacred Tradition including the Traditional Latin Mass.

When the young seminarians asked the archbishop to teach them according to the Tradition, he was hesitating at first because he is too old to guide them. But after a while, he was convinced because he thinks this is the sign from God. In 1970, he founded the Priestly Society of St. Pius X or SSPX with the permission of Bishop François Charrière, Bishop of Lausanne. It continues the Sacred Tradition, including the Traditional Latin Mass or the Tridentine Mass, which contradicts the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. SSPX becomes a center of controversy as they continue the Sacred Tradition, many people followed and attend their Holy Mass including those who have not agreed with the changes of Vatican II. Because of his old age, He decided to consecrate four bishops of the SSPX, though the Vatican doesn’t want him to continue to consecrate four Bishops. Pope John Paul II condemned this consecration and treat it as schismatic act and they were automatically excommunicated (But the Society of St. Pius X is not excommunicated, only Lefebvre, the archbishops who joined the consecration and the consecrated bishops)

Did Archbishop Lefebvre and his four bishops commit a schismatic act? The answer is NO. Even though they did not follow the orders of the Pope, archbishop consecrates four bishops to continue the sacred tradition, Archbishop’s act was stated in the canon 1323 no. 4 of the 1983 Code Canon Law “a person who acted coerced by grave fear, even if only relatively grave, or due to necessity or grave inconvenience unless the act is intrinsically evil or tends to the harm of souls”. So, what does the canon stated “tends to the harm of souls?” The teachings of Vatican II are harm to our souls. That is why Archbishop Lefebvre and the SSPX choose not to follow its teachings. And since they followed the Canon Law, the excommunication of Archbishop Lefebvre and the four bishops are not official or effective. We are now currently living in the End Times and this is where we must strengthen our faith to God as Pope St. Pius V and Pope St. Pius X did in the past and do not be afraid. Because some clergy and ordinary faithful are already following the path that Archbishop Lefebvre started…

Defend Tradition Dogma Heresy Tradition

Defending the Sacred Tradition Part 3 – The Vatican II Council and Archbishop Lefebvre

Post author By Jude Missa
Post date November 2, 2022

Before the Vatican II Council started, Pope John XXIII pointed Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre as one of the Central Preparatory Commission for the council. Archbishop Lefebvre has a good background and a record in the church. He is a defender of the Catholic Faith and the sacred tradition. He was assigned to draft and prepare the documents for the Second Vatican Council. But after the first session of the council, the drafts were rejected because the council wants to focus on reformation that gives more favor to modernism and for the protestants. Archbishop Lefebvre together with other bishops who rejected the reforms of the Vatican II Council organized a group called “Coetus Internationalis Patrum (International Group of Fathers)” to stop the reformation and to maintain the sacred tradition but ends in a failure. It also results that many clergy disagree with his views, including the Holy Ghost Fathers, a religious congregation where he is a superior general. He resigned as a superior general of the Holy Ghost Fathers because he refused to implement Vatican II Council inspired reforms.

Why did Archbishop Lefebvre and other archbishops refuse the reformation of the Vatican II Council? Because it is dangerous to our faith. He predicted that this council inspired change will lead to disorder which we are now experiencing today, such as communion in the hand, different versions of the Mass in different places (which Pope St. Pius V changed), liturgical dances and removing the Holy Sacrifice as it slowly becomes an entertainment to the faith full. Second, it gains more favor to the protestants which resulted that our Holy Mass is now similar to the Protestants. Third is that the Council’s ecumenism is where other religions that did not institute by our Lord Jesus Christ is part of the Catholic Church including Paganism. This council inspired is a poison to our faith, and it is sad to see that those people who are not aware of this are now slowly drinking this poison. But God never abandoned us, He loves us very much and the Blessed Virgin Mary will continue to guide us… One year after the resignation of Archbishop Lefebvre from the Holy Ghost Fathers, he was approached by a group of Traditionalist of French Seminary.

Defend Tradition Dogma Heresy Tradition

Defending the Sacred Tradition Part 2 – The Modernism and Pope St. Pius X

Post author By Jude Missa
Post date November 2, 2022

Modernism may be a good evolution for the mankind but it has a side of evil which the Catholic Church faced during the 20th Century. And modernism also enters the church that affects some of the clergy. The effects of Modernism made a change in the church like the modern music that slowly enters the Holy Mass while the Gregorian Chant slowly fades in different churches. It also makes the Holy Mass look like an orchestra rather than a Holy Sacrifice and some musicians after they played their part will have a chat to each other that bothers the Mass. The the priest will have to wait the music to finish before he continues his activities in the Holy Mass. But what evil does the modernism have? There are good in modernism such as automobiles, because will not have to walk or ride a horse in days or years. Telephones are also good because you don’t have to send a messenger to a far away land and received it after one or two years. Films and music to entertain us if we want to relax. But the evil of modernism that we talk about is against the faith of God. Why it is against the faith of God? Simple, modernism teaches us to love and accept other religions, including those who worshipped false Gods, accepting the teaching of the Protestantism and believe the scientific theory as truth. And mostly, as Protestanism spread and accept modernism, they make the people happy and enjoy while worshipping in God in their which they make fun the Sacred Tradition of having a Holy Sacrifice during the Mass. Many people joined the protestantism because they want to feel good and happy instead of making a sacrifice for God during the Holy Mass. This is what the evil of modernism has, it will cause heresy, danger to the faith and poison to the church.

The previous Popes may be against Modernism, but there no major act against it. Until one Pope faces the Modernism without hesitation. And that is Pope St. Pius X. When he was elected a Pope in 1903, he fought modernism inside the church as it slowly enters the church. His motto is “To restore all things to Christ”. He restored the Gregorian Chant and brought back the glory of the Holy Mass. He encouraged people to often receive Holy Communion instead receiving it once a year. Because the teaching of protestantism and modernism has spread all over the world, he ordered all the churches around the world to have Catechism to spread the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, the apostles and the Catholic Church. Even he acquired enemies and critics, he still faces it and fight the evil of modernism with courage because of his love to God.

Sadly, his great battle against the evil of modernism was forgotten when the Vatican II Council began, which it embraces modernism and had more concern to protestants that brings heresy instead of the Catholic Faith that has the truth. Let us pray to St. Pius X and to the Blessed Virgin Mary to help us to defend the Sacred Tradition of the Church and asked them to pray for us to God.

Defend Tradition Dogma Heresy Tradition

Defending the Sacred Tradition Part 1 – St. Pius V and Martin Luther

Post author By Jude Missa
Post date November 2, 2022

He saw the corruption in the Church and then started to spread false teachings, including having his own interpretation of the Sacred Scripture and the Justification of Faith Alone (Sola Fide). Because of his heresies, he was excommunicated in 1520. Then he began establishing a new church and his false teaching spread that led others to build their own church according to their own interpretation of the Sacred Scriptures which resulted in the birth of Protestanism.

They started attacking the Sacred Tradition of the Church, including the doctrines of Purgatory, Praying to the Saints, to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the one that they attack the most, the Eucharist and the Holy Mass. They targeted the faithful, including priests who did not know the faith and doctrines of the Church. As Protestantism spread, it won the hearts of many people, the priests as well as the hearts of various princes, including those in Germany. Pope Paul III wished for a council as a counter-reform which resulted in the Council of Trent. But the council was delayed a few times because of war and the attacks of the Protestants until it reached its end in 1563 with resulted in the condemning of all Protestant doctrines, Catholic Church leadership reformation, proclamation that Church’s interpretation of the Bible was unquestionable and the proclamation that the Sacred Tradition have much authority as Scripture. Even though the Council of Trent has ended, the problem in the Church is still unresolved.

Until a Dominican Priest and Cardinal, Antonio Ghislieri was elected as Pope in 1566 and took the name of Pius V. As a priest, he supported the papacy against the Protestants. He was known to inculcate discipline, develop the practice of monastic virtues and as a Dominican, he has a devotion to the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He was ordained Bishop of Sutri and became Pope after the death of Pope Paul IV with the support of St.Charles Borromeus. As pope, he imposed the canons and decrees of the Council of Trent. He fixed the problems that the previous pope cannot like dismissing the Papal Court Jester, forbidding horse racing in St. Peter’s square, severe sanctions were imposed against blasphemy, adultery and sodomy which he became the subject of hatred in Rome. He also championed and reinforced the Holy Tradition of the Church. And eventually he abolished the sale of indulgence in 1567. As the protestants attacked the sacred tradition, including the Holy Mass, he promulgated the Tridentine Mass and made it mandatory where all the priest must celebrate it to make the church united. And as a Dominican, he also established a devotion to the Holy Rosary, and to be recited to all the church and faithful to the world.

In this article we have looked at the differences between Saint Pius V and Martin Luther. Martin Luther, having seen the problems within the church, decided to become heretical, left the church and create his own. On the other hand, St. Pope Pius V, stayed in the church and resolved the problems from the inside.

Eucharist Tradition

Covid19 and the Traditional Latin Mass

Post author By Jude Missa
Post date October 1, 2022

Some businesses and schools have already solved the problem to continue by using our latest technology, the internet and the social media. Many businesses continued their work and school continue their classes by using online meeting apps such as Zoom, Gmeet and Messenger. This is also followed by our Parish to have an online Mass. Many faithful questioned if the Online Mass is effective because they cannot receive the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. That’s why the church solve it by using the traditional Spiritual Communion prayer for those who can’t attend the Holy Mass or the Sacrament.

The question is, in the previous pandemic, did the church have an online mass in 1346 or in 1918? How the people attend the Holy Mass? Simple answer, they still went to church and attend the Holy Mass despite of the threat of a virus that can kill them anytime. For us Catholics, attending the Holy Mass is very important because this is where we give adoration, give thanks, petition and love to God. It is also our sacrifice as our Lord Jesus Christ sacrifices His life to save us.

While the Vatican commands churches to close down, some churches, especially the Traditional Priest Societies open their churches. The first one to do this is the Society of Saint Pius X where they received people to hear confessions and to celebrate the Holy Mass. Some of the SSPX Churches made a legal action so they can open their church for the faithful. Then this was followed by other Traditional Societies such as the Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP). During the pandemic and because the churches who celebrate Novus Ordo Mass closed their doors, those who celebrated the Traditional Latin Mass opens their door which makes more people discover this Holy Mass. The Mass that was celebrated by the previous Saints who were priests and was attended by the saints who were ordinary faithful. This is also the same Holy Mass that was attended by the people who experienced the Black Death and the Spanish Flu. This pandemic gives us suffering, but it is also making us discover the Holy Mass that gives strength in soul, but also in the body of the faithful. We also discover the true holy sacrifice that we must do during the Holy Mass. Even if we don’t understand the language, we understand how sacred the Holy Mass is.

Sadly, the cardinals, including the Pope think this as a threat, so he restricts this Holy Mass so we, the faithful will no longer attend it. But even if they restrict it, we now know what grace we received when we attend the Traditional Latin Mass.

Prayers Tradition

Rogation Days

Post author By Jude Missa
Post date August 21, 2022

The Major Rogation was celebrated in April 25, during the Third Century Pope St. Gregory the Great instituted the Major Rogation after the Great Plague. The Minor Plague was intituted by St. Mamertus, Bishop of Vienne around 470 A.D. until it was officially adopted into the Roman Rite during the Reign of Pope St. Leo III.

During the Vatican II, the Rogation Days was removed in the Liturgical Calendar when it was revised by Pope Paul VI in 1969 together with the new mass (Novus Ordo Mass). But some churches in other countries including the Traditional Priestly Societies still celebrates this two Rogation.

Source:
• https://www.facebook.com/sspx.philippines.ourladyofvictorieschurch/posts/5276663472398449
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogation_days
• https://www.learnreligions.com/what-are-rogations-days-542481

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The Traditional Catholic Societies

Post author By Jude Missa
Post date July 6, 2022

Where changes were made according to the likings of the Protestants. After that, a sad result which many priests and nuns resigned. The Catechism, no longer teaches in school and churches which resulted that many faithful does not know the Catholic Faith. And what makes worse is that Protestants are now using the lack of a person’s education about the Catholic faith to invite them to their false church and share a false teaching. But the main problem with the Vatican II Council is the changes in the Holy Mass. Unlike the solution in the Council of Trent and Pope St. Pius V, the Vatican II solutions end in a disaster. But, some priest whom still followed the Sacred Tradition and wants to main the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the truth about Catholic Faith, remains in the Church to fix these problems. These are the Traditional Catholic Societies.

Who are the Traditional Catholic Societies?

They are a groups of Priests, nuns and faithful who wants to restore the Catholic Tradition that strengthen the Catholic Faith. The tradition was tested in the previous years, which results of many faithful Saints such as St. Camillus, St. Rose of Lima, St. Francis De Sales, and St. Padre Pio. One of their main missions is to maintain the Tridentine Mass or what we all know as the Traditional Latin Mass or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass.

When did the Traditional Catholic Societies start?

During the Vatican II Council, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre lead a group of cardinals, priest and theologians to oppose the changes in the Church including the Holy Mass. But sadly, they failed. Then, a group of French seminarians approaches him to teach them according to the Tradition of the Catholic Church. Then in 1970, he instituted the Priestly Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) to continue the Sacred Tradition including the Tridentine Mass. When Archbishop Lefebvre ordained four bishops without the Pope’s approval. Him and the four newly ordained Bishops were excommunicated (but not the SSPX) which results of some priest leave the society and form their own Traditional Society, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) under the approval of the Pope John Paul II. After that, many groups of priests formed their own Traditional Catholic Societies including the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP) and the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer (FSSR).

If the Bishops of the SSPX were excommunicated, is it okay to attend the Mass of the SSPX?

Only Archbishop Lefebvre and the four Bishops were excommunicated but not the priest and the faithful who are under SSPX. But the excommunication was lifted by Pope Benedict XVI. In short, it is okay to attend the Holy Mass of SSPX because they are catholic and still under the Catholic Church and accept the leadership of the Pope.

But some people called SSPX Schismatic, is it still okay to attend their Holy Mass?

SSPX are not Schismatic because they still have the same Catholic Faith. Though they did not accept the modern teachings of the Vatican II Council, including the Novus Ordo Mass, their status is not schismatic.

Is it okay to attend the Traditional Latin Mass even if the Pope restrict it?

Yes, it is okay to attend the Traditional Latin Mass even if there’s a restriction of the Pope. The SSPX is not under these restrictions and FSSP was not part of the restriction. But let us pray that this restriction will be lifted so our good priest can celebrate the Traditional Holy Mass.

Are there Traditional Societies who don’t recognize the leadership of the Pope?

Yes, these are the Sedevacantists societies such as the Congregation of Mary Immaculate Queen (CMRI) and the Society of Saint Pius V (SSPV).

Others Sacrament Tradition

Postures ad Gestures During the Holy Mass

Post author By Jude Missa
Post date July 6, 2022

Here are some of the Postures and Gestures during the Holy Mass:

The Sign of the Cross

It is the most important gesture in the world. This gesture is not only used when you attend the Holy Mass, it can also be used when you start to pray outside church like in your home and when you pass by in church or in the cemetery. We mark ourselves the Sign of the Cross because it was by the death of our Lord in the Cross redeemed us. It also reminds us that it’s not only the Last Supper is the Holy Mass, but also His passion and death on the Cross.

Standing

During the Holy Mass, there are several times that we stand including the opening and closing procession and during the reading of the Holy Gospel. Standing is a sign of honor and respect.

Kneeling

Kneeling is a traditional gesture, not even in the Catholic Church, but also in Jewish and other Christianity like the Orthodox Church. Kneeling signifies penance, homage and adoration. In the Holy Mass, there are parts where we have to kneel, including the Consecration and in the Holy Communion. Sadly, after Vatican II, many faithful only kneels by choice, including if they are inside the bench. Many do not know how to pay respect and adoration to the Sacred Host, the body of our Lord, our God.

Sitting

Sitting is also part of the gestures and postures in the Holy Mass. It is a posture of listening and meditation. When you attend the Holy Mass, you will notice that there’s a part in the Mass where the priest sits including in the Traditional Latin Mass (Tridentine Mass). This is not because he is tired or idleness, it’s because he meditates before he continues the Mass. We also sit not just to relax our legs and feet, but also for us to meditate. Sitting also helps us our mind become attentive during the sermon or homily.

Bowing

Bowing is also one of the most used gestures in the Holy Mass. There are two types of Bowing, bowing of the head and bowing of the body just like Japanese greeting. It signifies reverence, respect and gratitude. In the Traditional Latin Mass, when the Priest enters the church during the opening procession, the faithful will bow to him and to the crucifix as a sign of respect. The priest represents our Lord during the Holy Mass, and he is the only person who can hold the sacred host. The Priest mostly bows his body in front of the altar as a sign of respect, reverence and gratitude go together with prayers. While in the Novus Ordo Mass, bowing is also important, but some faithful used it as a substitute gesture, such as using it when you walk in the aisle of the church to give respect and adoration to the Body of Christ in the Tabernacle instead of genuflecting. A faithful can only bow in front of the Tabernacle when you have foot or knee injury or someone who is too old to genuflect.

Genuflection

Genuflection is one of the most used gestures when you are inside of the church. After you dip your fingers in the holy water and make the sign of the cross, you genuflect in front of the tabernacle. There are two types of genuflection, one is bending the right knee which we do to for the Sacred Host in the Tabernacle. While the bending of the left knee is for the leaders of the church. During the Low Mass of the Traditional Latin Mass, the people genuflect on the “And he was made flesh by the Holy Spirit from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.” part of the Nicene creed, while the faithful kneel in the Sung and High Mass. The Faithful also genuflect on the Last Gospel of the Sung and High Traditional Latin Mass.

Orans

Orans is the frequently posture of the Priest during the Holy Mass. Orans means “one who is praying or pleading. Orans was most known in the part where the Priest greet the faithful “The Lord be with you” (Dominus Vobiscum” in Latin) and on the praying of Our Father (Pater Noster). But during the Novus Ordo Mass, because of the influence of the protestants, the Orans posture was also used by the faithful during the “Our Fathe” which they are not supposedy allowed to do so. Even though the modernist will say that it’s the people’s choice, Orans is allowed to used by the Priest only during the Holy Mass.

Source:

https://www.corpuschristiphx.org/blog.php?month=201706&id=2144027499 &cat https://www.togetheratonealtar.catholic.edu.au/craft/gestures-and-actions- assembly/

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The Clerical Celibacy

Post author By Jude Missa
Post date July 6, 2022

What is the Clerical Celibacy?

Clerical Celibacy is a discipline within the church where only unmarried men can be ordained as priest.

Are priests in previous centuries unmarried?

In the previous centuries, including the time of the apostles and the church fathers, some priests are married, this also includes the Pope like the first pope, St. Peter the Apostle and Pope St. Hormisdas.

When did the Clerical Celibacy started?

It started on 1139 under the Second Lateran Council where it abolishes the married priesthood in the Catholic Church.

Why the priest remains unmarried?

So, they can only focus on their duty to God. If a married priest has a duty to do, but his wife will ask him something will result on distracted or unable to do his duty. The Priest is often assigned to different places, if he has family, they will go with him, but this will become an argument in the family if his wife and children don’t want to leave. When Jesus Christ called the apostles, they left their families and followed our Lord. A priest must only focus on our Lord and his duty. This is in line with following the advice of St. Paul the Apostle.

Some Catholics believed that the reason of the shortage of Priest in the world is Celibacy, is this correct?

No. Celibacy is not the reason why the Church has Priest Shortage. In the previous centuries, many men enter priesthood without being married. So, Celibacy is not the problem.

Can widowed men become a Priest?

Yes, a widowed man can enter the priesthood, but he must take responsibility for his children first. If he as a child who is still attending school and needs to take care of, he must work and wait until his children are full grown and can able to support themselves. This is when he can enter the priesthood.

Lent Tradition

The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ

Post author By Jose Maria Francisco
Post date April 16, 2022

Why did the Lord needed to be resurrected? St. Paul has said that if Jesus was not resurrected, our faith will be meaningless and pointless. This only shows that if Jesus was resurrected, so do the others who died will be brought to life in the day of judgment. And being the Head of the Church, He offered His life for sinners like us. It is because of this that we, being followers and members of the mystical body, are also hoping to receive the promise of salvation. The resurrection that occurred to Our Lord will also happen to us if we just have faith and follow Him.

Many people have witnessed the death of Jesus at Calvary including His friends and followers and also by those who did not believe that He is the Messiah. His death was also seen by the Roman soldiers stationed at the foot of the cross. St. Longinus, a Roman soldier, was one of the fortunate who had witnessed this important event; afterwards, he became a disciple of the Apostles. They were the ones who professed and confirmed all the things that happened regarding the death and resurrection of the Lord. The officials of the empire during that time did everything in order to suppress their accounts but to no avail.

The people who first witnessed the events also gave their accounts. Our Lord appeared to St. Mary Magdalene on the morning of Easter Sunday. Upon enetering the tomb, she saw two angles near the place where Jesus’ body have been lain. One was at the head and the other at the foot. The angels asked her why was she weeping. She answered “They took away My Lord and I do not know where they have put Him.” She turned around and saw Jesus but she did not recognize Him. Jesus asked her why was she crying and who was she looking for. She thought He was just a gardener, that’s why she answered: “Mister, if you who took him away, tell me where you have placed Him and I will bring Him back.” Jesus called her by her name and she instantly recognized Him. She said to Him, “Rabbouni” meaning “Teacher”. At that moment, her grief vanished. The Lord commanded her to tell everything that had transpired to His disciples and followers. (John 20:11-18)

On the evening of the same day, Jesus appearded to His Apostles. While the Apostles were among themselves, Jesus stood in the midst of them and said, “Peace be with you!”. After greeting them, He showed them His wounds on His hands and side. It happened that of the Apostles, St. Thomas, was not present. And when the Apostles recounted what had transpired, he did not believe them. Adding that he will only believe if he himself would see the wounds with His own eyes. A few days later, the Apostles were again among themselves and this time St. Thomas was present with them. Jesus appeared to them again. He commanded St. Thomas to put his fingers through his wounds so that he will believe that indeed the Lord had resurrected. St. Thomas did what he was told to do and afterwards said: “My Lord and my God!” proving indeed that Jesus was infront of him.

Being Catholic fauthfuls, these proofs are already enough for us to believe that Jesus died abd resurrected for sinners like us. We do not need to look for many more signes that we cannot comprehend. We must only believe in Him and that is enough.

The mystery of His death and resurrection is very profound. He is resurrected by means of His divinity and His own power, a sign that His being God and King of Heaven.

The fulfillment of the resurrection of Jesus is also a sign of the fulfillment of the promise of salvation, the resurrection of the dead. Sin is the reason why we experience death. And in death, the soul leaves the body and go to Purgatory to be cleansed. The souls of the condemned go down to Hell to be punished eternally. The body will rot and goes back to dust from where it came from.

Death came to the world due to the sins of our first parents, Adam and Eve. And because of this, we, as children, need to pay the sin by death. If one man committed that sin and caused our death, one man was needed to repay that sin. Through Jesus, He became a man to save us and defect death in order for us to gain salvation.

In the day of Judgment, Jesus accompanied by angles and saints will go down from Heaven to reward the good with eternal life and punish the evildoers. “For an hour is coming in which all those in their tombs shall hear His voice and come forth. Those who have done right rise to live; the evil does shall rise to be damned” (John 5:27-28). And thus this statement being fulfilled, all those who have died will be resurrected and will go back to their former form. But this new body will not be the same as old. The resurrected body of the blessed will never again experience hunger, thirst, pain and even death. These bodies will be perfect; will never get tired or grow old. The beauty and holiness of these bodies will stay forever.

In the resurrection of the dead, their bodies will be at the prime of life. This only means that it is in the time of their youth. They will not have their body in its state of infancy or old age. These characteristics were shown by the Lord during His resurrection. The evil doers will also rise from their graves with the just. But their new bodies will be filled with loneliness due to sin. Also their bodies will also be complete but this does do them any good at all because they will suffer the eternal fires of hell.

According to Catholic teachings, we must also give respect to the bodies or remains of the dead. Their remains must be blessed with holy water so it cannot be used by the devil; they must also be buried so it can return to dust from which it came in the hope that someday they will be resurrected to receive salvation.

The burning of the dead or cremation can be prohibited by the Holy Church. This is only given permission if the reasons do not contradict that of the Catholic faith.

The crucifixion and death of the cross of Our Lord only shows His immense love for us. He gave His life for us so we can have salvation. And with His resurrection, Heaven is again open for sinners like us. Just follow and believe in Him, with the Blessed Virgin Mother and all the Saints, we too shall reach Heaven.