Will
we know our relatives and friends in heaven? Is there any sadness in heaven?
The answers are yes and no. The fathers and doctors of the Church and the great saints all assure us that after the primary joy of heaven (the beatific vision), being joined to God in love and perfect happiness for ever, there will be secondary joys and among these will be the reunion with our relatives, friends, and ancestors, with no possibility of ever being separated from them again. There is no unhappiness in heaven. If someone we know is damned to hell, in heaven this tragedy will be seen by the saved in its true perspective, and there will be no sadness over any "separation," but only rejoicing in the perfect mercy and justice of God. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, numbers 1023-1029.
Reprinted from December
24, 1999
Is repentance possible after death?
Repentance for mortal sins is impossible after one dies. Mortal sin is deliberately choosing some created thing above and over God. When one dies unrepentant of such acts, God allows that person to have "his or her wish" for all eternity. Such a per son is damned to hell- forever. People who die with unforgiven venial sins, however, are pun- fled in purgatory and this experience includes repentance for such sins before God remits them.
Reprinted from July 2, 1999
May a Catholic be buried in a Protestant cemetery with their spouse on their
spouse's family plot?
Yes, this is possible. Most non-Catholic cemeteries will permit a Catholic priest to preside at such a burial and to bless the individual grave. However, there may be some particular circumstances or lo cal Church regulations regarding these things, so it is always best to check with your parish priest.
Reprinted October 15, 1999
Is it permitted for a priest to wear black vestments on Good Friday and at
funeral Masses?
In the present liturgical dispositions of the Latin Rite, red is the color of the vestments worn on Good Friday, to remind us of the precious Blood of the Savior shed to take away our sins on that day. For funeral or "requiem Masses," however, the priest has the option of wearing white, violet, or black vestments. Licit exceptions to all these regulations, however, are enjoyed by groups that have the permission of the Holy See to use the old liturgy from 1962.
Reprinted October 22,
1999