Funeral
Part 2 History

Chapter 28 Before Vatican II [1900-1959 CE]

Secular History

Church History

Ministry to the Dead and Bereaved

Secular History

1.  A description of life 100 years ago is given in the To Think About section of Chapter d26.

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Church History

1.  A summary of the liturgical developments during this period can be found at Chapter 26  The Early Twentieth Century   Be familiar with the Liturgical Movement, the memorandum of Archbishop Groeber of Frieburg, and the work of Pius XII, John XXIII, and Paul VI.

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Ministry to the Dead and Bereaved

ANGEL Postings

Rite remained virtually unchanged although practice accommodated the influence of modern burial customs including funeral homes and embalming. 

Despite the emerging modern cultural influences (large cities, remote cemeteries, embalming, and mortuaries) the 1614 ritual remained virtually unchanged. Pastoral care in the vernacular appeared as appendages to the rite.

Catholic cemeteries. Home viewings. Color: black. Popular piety: rosary. Preoccupation with purgatory and sin.

Catholic funeral something the Church performed for the deceased; ethnic customs died out naturally as the Church slowly began to accommodate to growing cities, remote cemeteries, funeral homes, embalming

This era showed a gradual trend toward pastoral attention to families with words of consolation and encouragement, while still in the old liturgical form. The groundwork was being laid for Vatican II   Same ritual since middle ages, emphasis on sin, atonement. Influence of scripture scholarship, historical research planted seeds of change. Still focused on the dead, not the bereaved. Changing concepts re: sacraments, bible, image of God.    

Same ritual since middle ages, emphasis on sin, atonement. Influence of scripture scholarship, historical research planted seeds of change. Still focused on the dead, not the bereaved. Changing concepts re: sacraments, bible, image of God.

1614 Ritual still essentially in use. Emergence of modern culture (urban growth, remote cemeteries, embalming, funeral homes). Mass telescoped. Emphasis on God's judgment, death, and sin of deceased; piety; Black vestments.

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© Copyright: Tom Richstatter, Franciscan Province of St. John the Baptist, Cincinnati Ohio, Order of Friars Minor. All Rights Reserved.  This page was created by Fr. Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M.  Every effort has been, and is being made, to acknowledge sources when the ideas are not my own.  Any failure to comply with the United States Copyright Act (Title 17, United States Code) will be corrected immediately should I become aware of it.  This site was updated on 10/07/08 .  Your comments on this site are welcome at tomrichs@psci.net.