Giving a “Mass Card” to the family of someone who has died is a traditional, practical, and consoling custom among Catholic people. Arranging to have a Mass offered for the repose of someone’s soul respects the mystery of death and pays attention to the truth that we will all be judged by God, mercifully but justly, for what we have done and for what we have failed to do.

When we die, life is changed, not ended. Do you think that everyone is ready for immediate welcome into the kingdom of heaven? Perhaps some are, perhaps very few. Upon his death, who had more prayers and Masses offered for him than Pope John Paul II? We all have need for divine mercy, and we can benefit from the prayers of our friends. When we die, we will be fortunate and blessed if we have a Mass of Christian Burial and if we have people pray for us at other Masses in the months and years to come.