DANBURY – Fond memories of loved ones brought comfort to those gathered at St. Peter Cemetery in Danbury for an outdoor graveside Mass on All Souls Day.
Outdoor Masses were offered at six cemeteries throughout the Diocese of Bridgeport to commemorate the faithfully departed.
“It’s a very old tradition of the Church to pray for the souls who have passed on and have gone before us to our Lord,” said Father Gregg Mecca, pastor of St. Peter Church on Main Street, who officiated at the Mass.
Also see: All Souls Day @ St. Mary-Putnam (Greenwich w/ Bishop Caggiano), Gate of Heaven (Trumbull), St. Michael (Stratford), St. John (Norwalk) and St. Peter (Danbury)
Fr. Mecca said All Souls Day is a day we are particularly mindful of all those who have passed on.
“We recognize that we don’t pass out of existence in death, we pass out of this world,” said Fr. Mecca adding that many souls are in purgatory because they need sufficient penance to be with the Lord.
“Purgatory is God’s last demonstration of His mercy towards us,” he said. “We gather to pray so that they may come into God’s presence.”
Fr. Mecca commended those gathered bundled in hats and gloves to brave the chilly temperatures and pray together.
“The cool temperatures could easily have deterred you but it did not,” he said.
It was the first time Barbara Braguez, a parishioner of St. Anthony Maronite Catholic Church in Danbury attended the outdoor Mass.
“It’s a beautiful thing that they do,” said Braguez, who attended the service with her friend. Both women have family members buried at the Lake Ave Extension cemetery. “It’s like you are praying with them,” she said of her deceased family members.
Small bottles of Holy Water were given to attendees, some of whom sprinkled it on the graves of loved ones as they left Mass.
Braguez said she appreciated being able to attend the outdoor Mass in the cemetery with others.
“It brings people close. Everyone is here for the same reason,” Braguez said.
Snippets of conversations could be overhead after Mass with many recalling fond memories of loved ones often eliciting tears, laughter or longing.
“This day is very touching for all of us,” Fr. Mecca said. “Today is a very special day to remember our loved ones. We look forward to seeing them on the other side. May we one day all live happily together with Christ.”
