…that ”Gregorian Masses” are celebrated for the dead?
When a loved one passes away, we often hear the comment: “At least they will not suffer any more…”
However, this expression denotes an incomplete view of supernatural realities. Is it not true that the deceased may be suffering incomparably greater pains in Purgatory, and in need of our help?
As a loving mother, the Holy Church has always recommended that her children apply the fruits of the Mass for the dead. Thus, since ancient times, the faithful have requested Eucharistic celebrations to be offered in suffrage of the souls of the deceased, in order to hasten their release from the purifying flames. This custom intensified after an event that occurred with Pope St. Gregory the Great (cf. Dialogues. L.IV, c.57, n.8-17) in the 6th century, which gave rise to a special practice in the Church that continues to this day.
A monk by the name of Justus, seeing his days coming to an end, confided to his brother, a doctor who was assisting him, that he had three gold coins among his belongings, something absolutely forbidden by the rule. When St. Gregory learned of this, he ordered the dying man to be severely reprimanded so that he would repent, and also ordered, as public reparation and for the edification of the whole community, that his body should not be buried in the monastery’s cemetery. Furthermore, the words of St. Peter were to be pronounced over his grave: “Your silver perish with you” (Acts 8:20).
Thirty days after Justus’ death, St. Gregory took pity on the deceased and, thinking with great sorrow of the torments he might be suffering, ordered the prior of the monastery to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice daily, for the offender’s eternal rest. After a month, Justus appeared to his brother and revealed that he had been freed from Purgatory thanks to the “salvific Host”.
Confidence in the efficacy of the Holy Sacrifice gave rise to the tradition of having thirty consecutive Masses celebrated for the deceased. Although these Masses do not currently have their own form, the custom continues to this day under the name of Gregorian Masses. ◊
…that Portugal’s coat of arms was given by Jesus Christ?
It was the evening of July 24, 1139. Afonso Henriques, who would become the first king of Portugal, had five Moorish monarchs and their respective armies in front of his camp. While he was pleading for divine help, a strong light dazzled his eyes and he was able to see the figure of the crucified Jesus.
The “Founder and Destroyer of Empires” – as Christ called Himself in the vision – was appearing to announce to him victory, not only in that battle, but also in all the others that the prince would fight. Moreover, He was coming to found a kingdom that would preach His Name in distant regions. And in order to mark the new nation forever, the Redeemer added: “You will buy your weapons for the price with which I bought the human race, the price with which I was bought from the Jews, and this kingdom will be sanctified.”
Having achieved the impossible victory over his enemies, Afonso Henriques had the coat of arms of his people made according to the Lord’s orders: five blue escutcheons forming a cross – in memory of the five wounds of Christ and the five defeated Moorish kings – each containing five silver bezants which, by giving double value to those of the central escutcheon, recall the thirty pieces of silver for which Judas sold Jesus.
Thus was perpetuated the symbol of Portugal, so well described by Camões in The Lusiads: “Behold It on your shield, which presently / Is for you a sign of that past victory, / Wherein, as arms given and bequeathed to you are shown / Those that once upon the Cross He made His own.” (Canto I, 7). ◊
