"Re: Old liturgical custom or New Age Novelty?"


Marie, from Southern California, likewise weighs in on Saint Mary Magdalen's "burning leaves" controversy!

"Dionicio,

"Suggest a better way to celebrate Holy Souls instead of this silly paraliturgy.

"In my former Franciscan parish, special envelopes (with enclosed donations) for Masses for the Holy Souls are collected, bundled together with brown ribbons, and placed on the altar throughout November.

"At the end of the month, the friars open the envelopes and keep the money for themselves.

"Not for the parish, not for maintenance, not for the missions, not for the archdiocesan appeal -- but for themselves.

"It's for their own keep -- for their food, clothing, utilities, upkeep of the friary, etc.

"The congregation knows it is the only collection during the year intended for the livelihood of the friars.

"All other collections are for the parish (or, in the case of 2nd collections, for the missions, the archdiocese, and other intentions, etc. The Good Friday collection is for the Holy Land.)

"You [might] suggest in your parish that instead of leaves, use envelopes and put in money in them.

"The names of the deceased are written on the envelopes.

"The parishioners can then go up to the tree and pin these envelopes on the [limbs].

"I bet your parish will think twice about burning the envelopes."


Thanks a whole bunch, Marie!

Your sensible suggestion is hereby presented to all our fellow parishioners at St. Mary Magdalene's Catholic Parish, Brackettville, Texas 78832 U.S.A.!