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Preparing for Eternity: A Catholic Handbook for End-of-Life Concerns
In Preparing for Eternity, best-selling author Fr. Joseph M. Champlin guides Catholics through the practical physical, emotional, and spiritual concerns they will confront as they face end-of-life issues and attempt to put their affairs in order. This little handbook will comfort and empower anyone as they prepare for the final chapter of their life from preparing a will to the Church's rites for the sick and the dying. The guidance Preparing for Eternity provides is paired with real-life illustrations that challenge Catholics to attend to these very important issues. An ideal companion to Fr. Champlin's book, Through Death of Life.
91 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2007
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September 23, 2024
A 'WORD OF HOPE FOR THE FUTURE'
F. Joseph M. Champlin has written many other books, such as 'The Rite of Marriage,' 'Through Death to Life: Preparing to Celebrate the Funeral Mass,' 'The Funeral Mass and Rite of Committal,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 2006 book, "Many, perhaps most, people will find the title and topic of this little book disconcerting, making them feel uncomfortable. That is because it touches upon very sensitive subjects such as our human mortality, the inevitable deterioration and sickness that precede most deaths, and our own future after this life. An unconscious denial of those issues or an expressed unwillingness to talk about them are commonplace realities in today's world... I pray that these pages will help you, the reader, attain this peace of mind, healing, and comfort I have experienced recently in my personal life and over five decades as a parish priest." (Pg. 6-7)
He covers topics such as Living Wills/Health Care Proxies; Organ Donations; Cremation; Last Rites, etc.
He explains that "For many years, the Catholic Church prohibited cremation mostly because there was a concern that those choosing that option were prompted by a denial of the resurrection. Moreover, the practice in itself tended to undercut the Church's preference for the presence of the body at the celebration of all the funeral rites as well as its preference for burial in the ground.
"The Church prefers ground burial for several reasons... First, we have the example of Jesus, who was laid in the tomb. Second, there is the fact that these bodies were once washed in baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation, and fed with the Bread of Life. They deserve to be carefully prepared for dignified burial. Third... the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and is destined for future glory at the resurrection of the dead. And fourth, a conviction that the presence of the body during calling hours and at all the funeral rites helps mourners face the reality of a person's death." (Pg. 39-40)
He ends by saying, "I would like to conclude... this little book with a word of hope for the future directed particularly to those grieving the loss of someone or several who have left or soon will leave our world for the next... The first word of hope comes from Sullivan Ballou... He actually died in the battle of Bull Run one month after he wrote that touching letter to his 'very dear Sarah.' In his note he urges her: 'Do not mourn me dead: think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again.' ... Jesus gave... us this promise: 'And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.' (Jn 14:3) Those indeed are comforting messages of hope for all of us as we prepare for eternity." (Pg. 85)
F. Joseph M. Champlin has written many other books, such as 'The Rite of Marriage,' 'Through Death to Life: Preparing to Celebrate the Funeral Mass,' 'The Funeral Mass and Rite of Committal,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 2006 book, "Many, perhaps most, people will find the title and topic of this little book disconcerting, making them feel uncomfortable. That is because it touches upon very sensitive subjects such as our human mortality, the inevitable deterioration and sickness that precede most deaths, and our own future after this life. An unconscious denial of those issues or an expressed unwillingness to talk about them are commonplace realities in today's world... I pray that these pages will help you, the reader, attain this peace of mind, healing, and comfort I have experienced recently in my personal life and over five decades as a parish priest." (Pg. 6-7)
He covers topics such as Living Wills/Health Care Proxies; Organ Donations; Cremation; Last Rites, etc.
He explains that "For many years, the Catholic Church prohibited cremation mostly because there was a concern that those choosing that option were prompted by a denial of the resurrection. Moreover, the practice in itself tended to undercut the Church's preference for the presence of the body at the celebration of all the funeral rites as well as its preference for burial in the ground.
"The Church prefers ground burial for several reasons... First, we have the example of Jesus, who was laid in the tomb. Second, there is the fact that these bodies were once washed in baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation, and fed with the Bread of Life. They deserve to be carefully prepared for dignified burial. Third... the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and is destined for future glory at the resurrection of the dead. And fourth, a conviction that the presence of the body during calling hours and at all the funeral rites helps mourners face the reality of a person's death." (Pg. 39-40)
He ends by saying, "I would like to conclude... this little book with a word of hope for the future directed particularly to those grieving the loss of someone or several who have left or soon will leave our world for the next... The first word of hope comes from Sullivan Ballou... He actually died in the battle of Bull Run one month after he wrote that touching letter to his 'very dear Sarah.' In his note he urges her: 'Do not mourn me dead: think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again.' ... Jesus gave... us this promise: 'And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.' (Jn 14:3) Those indeed are comforting messages of hope for all of us as we prepare for eternity." (Pg. 85)
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