Q: We have recently received the ashes of a deceased priest of our Institute who had donated his body to science.  At the time of his death, a memorial Mass was celebrated without the body, using a Mass for the Dead, as you outline in your excellent book, Light in the Darkness.  Would we not celebrate a funeral Mass now?  Your text that follows on page 20 seems ambiguous on this point.  It strikes me that Father is owed the prayers of the Church in as much as possible of its three stages, as you go on to outline.

Thanks, as always for your expertise and for making it available to so many.

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A: I agree that a funeral Mass would be appropriate. The OCF doesn’t go into detail on this circumstance, but your argument is compassionate and cogent.

Thanks for your comments on my book.

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