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Our Faithful Departed: Where They Are and Why It Matters (Engaging Catholicism)

Name: Our Faithful Departed: Where They Are and Why It Matters (Engaging Catholicism)
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4.7 of 5 Stars: Biographies - Our Faithful Departed: Where They Are and Why It Matters (Engaging Catholicism)

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Book Synopsis: Awarded third place in theology by the Association of Catholic Publishers and third place in grief and bereavement by the Catholic Media Association. When someone we love dies, it's difficult to look beyond our grief to understand that they are still with us. And yet we hear in the funeral liturgy that “life is changed not ended.” In Our Faithful Departed, University of Notre Dame theologian Leonard J. DeLorenzo shows us what this means and how we are called to remain faithful in our relationships with the dead. “Those whom we have known and loved in this life we have only known and loved partially, imperfectly,” DeLorenzo writes. “In heaven, what has been partial shall be made complete, and what has been imperfect shall be perfected.” He explains that the Catholic Church teaches that heaven is not so much a place as it is a perfect communion in Christ where the living and the dead are forever united. In this book, you will learn that: St. Teresa of Calcutta thought of her own life as a practice for heaven; the Eucharist is a prayer for the dead, an offering brought to the altar; Día de los Muertos is an understanding that death is not the opposite of life, but part of it; Christ wants us to broaden and deepen our notions of the body; we can practice communion with the dead by praying for them, remembering them by name during the Mass, sharing memories of them, and celebrating them in devotional practices. DeLorenzo relates his own story of the loss of his grandparents and shares heartwarming experiences from other Catholics—including Laura Kelly Fanucci, Stephanie DePrez, and John Cavadini—who have felt the connection with their lost friends and loved ones. DeLorenzo said that the Church must encourage communion with the dead through public acts such as Eucharistic processions, prayer, monthly adoration with prayers for the souls in purgatory, and by accompanying the grieving with tenderness and compassion.

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Discover the profound and comforting teachings of Our Faithful Departed: Where They Are and Why It Matters (Engaging Catholicism). Awarded prestigious accolades in both theology and grief and bereavement, this book by renowned theologian Leonard J. DeLorenzo offers invaluable insights into the eternal connection between the living and the departed. Explore the rich Catholic teachings that remind us that the departed remain with us, their lives transformed but not ended.

St. Teresa of Calcutta, a spiritual icon, considered her life as a preparation for heaven, embodying the idea that our earthly existence is only a partial understanding of the love we share. In Our Faithful Departed, DeLorenzo delves into various aspects of Catholic faith to demonstrate how the Eucharist itself becomes a prayer for the departed. This poignant realization invites us to bring our offerings to the altar with a deeper intention, embracing the eternal bond we have with our loved ones.

Death is not the end but an intrinsic part of life. The enlightening exploration of Día de los Muertos sheds light on how different cultures celebrate the departed, recognizing the continuous presence of those we mourn. By embracing this perspective, DeLorenzo challenges us to expand our understanding of the body in the context of Christ's eternal communion.

Our Faithful Departed offers practical ways to cultivate communion with the departed in our everyday lives. From praying for them to incorporating their names during Mass and engaging in devotional practices, DeLorenzo showcases the power of remembering and honoring their memories. These heartwarming stories of personal experiences, including the author's own journey and testimonials from Laura Kelly Fanucci, Stephanie DePrez, and John Cavadini, illustrate the profound connection that transcends time and space.

Leonard J. DeLorenzo emphasizes that the Church should foster communion with the departed through public acts of faith. Whether it is participating in Eucharistic processions, dedicating monthly adoration to souls in purgatory, or accompanying the grieving with compassion, each act becomes a testament to our enduring love and remembrance.

Take a transformative spiritual journey with Our Faithful Departed and discover the profound beauty of remaining faithful in our relationships with those who have gone before us. Embrace the eternal communion in Christ that unites the living and the departed. Click here to obtain your copy and embark on an extraordinary exploration of faith and love.

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