“Let light shine out of darkness” (2 Cor 4:6)
November, beginning with the feast of All Saints and the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, is Catholic Cemetery Month. This is a time when Catholics remember, honor and pray for all of the faithful departed by visiting cemeteries for some quiet reflection.
The year 2020 certainly has been arduous, but our faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ, continues to help us cope with the struggles and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the social distancing guidelines and our desire to keep everyone safe, regrettably South Jersey Catholic Cemeteries has decided to cancel the Masses for All Souls, normally held on Nov. 2 at the cemetery chapel mausoleums.
Although we are not gathering for Mass, we encourage our families to visit our cemeteries and mausoleums and to pray for their dearly departed loved ones and all souls who have gone before us, making sure to follow social distancing guidelines. Additionally, we invite you to join us and Light Up the Cemetery by placing a solar light at your loved one’s grave during the month of November.
“Solar lights typically are not permitted in the cemetery because of landscaping issues,” explained Marianne Linka, Director of Cemeteries. “We wanted to do something special given the COVID-19 social distancing limitations and hardship felt by all. In particular, we want to remember the faithful who were lost this year, especially those lost during the time of restricted gatherings and those who sadly passed alone because of the state-mandated restrictions.”
Hence, the diocese has decided to temporarily suspend the restriction regarding the placement of solar lights. Families are invited to place a solar light at their loved one’s grave or outside of the mausoleum for those entombed indoors to honor them in a special way during the month of November. We ask that you remove the solar lights by Dec. 1, 2020.
In honor of All Souls Day, all diocesan managed chapel mausoleums will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020. More info go to: https://southjerseycatholiccemeteries.org/
Debbie Moore is marketing and event coordinator, South Jersey Catholic Cemeteries.
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