Happy All Souls Day, or Dia de los Muertos, or my birthday. You choose. And, if it’s all too macabre for you, scroll down to the bottom to see what I want for my birthday.
On Kelly’s birthday, she did an awesome, albeit morbid post, and here I am ganking her idea. But, it’s my birthday, and I’ll gank if I want to.
So, what are my final wishes? Let’s start with the trivial:
Turn my blog into book. You really don’t need to publish it; I just want my kids to have it. Learn a bit about their momma. I’ll make sure Mike has my login to do a final post – assuming this thing is still up and running (probably not gonna happen).
Now here is the important stuff:
If possible, make sure I receive Last Rights and a good Confession at some point. I would really appreciate that.
Then, in honor of my mom who was a florist for 20 years, put a beautiful casket spray on my (very cheap) casket. And that is all the flowers I want. No more. There is no need to jazz up the place. I won’t care. But, you know what I will care about? I will care that you have masses said for me instead. Take every dollar that you were going to spend on flowers, and have Gregorian (and regular) Masses said for me. This is important; put that Gregorian thing in my will. Do not forget. Remember: I don’t want more time in purgatory because roses would just really liven up the place. I’m dead.
Also, you need to stay for the Rosary during the wake. Please don’t leave or sneak out before it starts. Just sit and say a Rosary for me.
Next, offer up a St. Gertrude prayer for me. Do it devoutly, please.
And, you’re not done praying yet. Heed the words of Our Lady who asked that we pray very much for the poor souls, and that if we pray these prayers, we will “deliver so many souls, so many souls!” Make me one of those souls by having everyone pray this after my funeral Mass – you know, before anyone hits the road:
5 Apostle’s Creeds
1 Hail, Holy Queen
1 Our Father
1 Hail Mary
1 Glory Be
1 Requiem
My tombstone? A kneeler. Have one made out of concrete or something. Have 2 Mach. 12:46 (the Douay-Rheims version) inscribed on it. I want people to be able to come to my gravesite and pray for my soul. Can you tell I am serious about this prayer thing? And, bonus for you: a plenary indulgence is granted to those who visit a cemetery and pray for the dead on any day from Nov. 1-Nov. 8. It’s a partial indulgence any other day.
And, when all is said and done, keep me in your prayers. I don’t know how long I will be hanging out in the ol’ purg.
Lest you think I am being a prayer hog: my bday is on All Souls Day; I have always felt called to pray for the poor souls in purgatory. So, for my birthday gift, leave me the names of your departed love ones, and I will pray a rosary for them tonight.
“Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most precious blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in purgatory. Amen”
I loved this post, really beautiful! And thank you for offering up the spiritual work of mercy and praying for others! If you could include my grandfathers Czeslaw (Chester) and Augustyn, I would really appreciate it!
Happy Birthday! God bless!
Thank you for ganking, and Happy Birthday! Make sure Mike outlines all of this in the funeral program for you, then no one can say, “I didn’t know the prayers.” You’ll have them right where you want them! Mwah-ha-ha-ha!
Anyway, just include my near departed family members who left this Earth without knowing the fullness of the Catholic faith. God knows exactly who you’ll be talking about. Thank you! And I’ll say a prayer for you on your special day. Hope it’s a good one!
I love this post – you can never have too many prayers! Happy Birthday and thanks for the offer to pray. My father in law James died on All Souls Day a year ago, so prayers for him would be welcomed, and also for my father Joseph and my husband’s brother William. What a wonderful offer!
Happy Birthday!!! Is it weird how much I love these posts about death wishes? I dunno, I just find it fascinating… I think I just need links to your post and Kelly’s and Mary’s at Better than Eden and I’ll be set – not sure I’d have anything new to add!
This is so awesome, Jenna. Please pray for my grandmother, Bonnie W., Zach E., and Julie C. Thank you so much!
Also, Happy Birthday!
Kenneth Rowley (hubs paternal grandfather)
John Gallagher (my maternal grandfather)
John Friel (my step father)
Mary Lou Gallagher (maternal grandmother)
Ferral Weaver (hubs maternal grandmother)
And anyone I may have forgotten
Happy birthday beautiful lady! I learned a lot from this post! Here are my dearly departed:
Riisa Wilber
George Belford Jr
Donnalla Belford
Norman Kinyon
Betty Kinyon
SGT Kelly Morris
SPC Benyamin Yahuda
SPC Kenneth Ziegler
SSG Darren Hubbell
1LT Forrest Ewens
Thank you and God Bless you always!
Well…the boyos and I made it to the church-yard and I said one Hail Mary. I had to be there anyways, but seeing your post this morning definitely got me to pray for the deceased today. :)
…and please add Jackie and Nicholas to your prayer list!
Thank you!
Oh, and Happy Birthday!! :D
I’m a little late to this, but oh well. Happy birthday!!!
If you could include a dear friend of mine, Peter Campbell, who died late last year, I would really appreciate it. Thank you for this beautiful idea. <3