Q: Every November, our Knights of Columbus commemorate all those brother Knights who have gone before us, by reading each name aloud, and placing a carnation in a vase in front of the altar. A family member comes forward as their loved one’s name is read, and places the carnation. This commemoration occurs at a Sunday Mass in November. I wonder why this commemoration does not occur at our parish’s All Souls’ Mass? (We have a similar ritual at the parish Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. Carnations are placed by family members of those who have passed in the previous year.)
Shouldn’t these commemorations be combined? Do I have any “liturgical legs” to stand on here?
Thanks, as always, for your insight.
==
A: Honestly, it could be done either way. It’s beautiful that the Knights wish to commemorate the faithful departed among their number. The action you describe is more devotional than liturgical, so it does not have a “liturgically proper” place. Devotionally, the entire month of November especially calls for prayers for the faithful departed.
If you have some practical or devotional concerns, by all means raise them and work with the group to see what best suits those who mourn and those who come for regular parish worship.