Course 4, Chapter 5: Christianity visible. — Of Blessings and of Cemeteries

1. What do you mean by blessings?

To bless a thing, is to purify it, and consecrate it to God and to the ceremonies of religion.

2. Who has given the church the power to bless creatures V

God has given to the church this power. In the Old Testament, Moses, the prophets and the priests had this power, and made frequent use of it. In the New Testament, our Lord oftentimes blessed creatui as; the apostles and the church have inherited this power and used it frequently.

3. Why has God given the church the power to bless?

God has given to the church the power to bless, 1st, in order to withdraw the thing blessed from the dominion of the devil, and restore it to its primitive sanctity; 2d, to separate it from common and profane things; 3d, to give it the virtue to elevate us, and direct us towards our last end.

4. W^hat places does the church bless?

The church blesses her temples, our houses, and cemeteries or grave yards, in order that every thing that touches man more nearly, may be holy; thereby giving us an exalted idea of our worth, and teaching us to respect ourselves.

5. Why are cemeteries placed near churches?

Cemeteries are placed near churches: 1st, to show the great solicitude with which the church watches over the remains of her departed children; 2d, to prevent us from forgetting our friends who are dead; 3d, to inspire us with serious thoughts when we go to church; 4th, to show us the union which exists among the three churches, in heaven, on earth and in purgatory.

6. What instruction do we receive by the blessing of the cemetery?

In blessing the cemetery the church presents a lively image of the resurrection, to console us and make us look upon death as a gentle sleep.