Because I am making a gift for my friend and wrote a poem stating that her Mom, who passed away, is looking at her from Heaven and is watching over her. Is that a good thing to say or can someone give me another way to phrase that? Something more adequate. I do not want to offend her and her feelings. Thank you in advance.
2006-11-09 03:26:28 · 13 answers · asked by Boricua Born 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Catholics woudn't have a problem with that sentiment.
2006-11-09 03:29:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Grieving is such an individual thing. I've heard people say that everything people said made them angry when they were grieving. Anger is part of grieving and you can often find yourself in a lose-lose, depending on the griever's personal process. I wouldn't beat yourself up too much if you say what is honestly on your heart. Worrying too much and trying to find words that sound good could backfire, but speaking from compassion should not. I've heard that grievers don't like to hear: "She is now an angel (no, she's not), God needed her in Heaven (Why? We needed her here), I know how you feel (no, you don't). . ." She should not be judgmental of you if you are honest and compassionate. If however, you are just trying to send the best-sounding condolences, it could possibly be received with less gratitude than you'd hope for. I think that a perfect sentiment would be a fond or funny memory of her mother.
P.S. If souls could look down from Heaven, Heaven would no longer be a "perfect" place.
2006-11-09 03:38:36 · answer #2 · answered by georgia b 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Say just what you did (above). No offense will be taken and it is a beautiful sentiment.
I do a lot of funerals for all denominations, and I say something similar at every one of them.
A time of grieving is no time to give somebody a lecture on Catholic doctrine such as "Purgatory", "Sheol", "Gehenna" or any stuff like that. Just be there for her. The poem is perfect.
Besides, her mom knows more *now* about this subject than all of us put together! That is where our faith should lie! :-)
2006-11-09 03:37:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your message is fine.
Everyone (not just Catholics) will spend eternity in one of 2 places, Hevaen or Hell. The choice is ours.
People who have properly purified themselves (by cooperating with the Grace of God) on Earth go straight to Heaven while those who need more purification make a "stop over" in Purgatory.
Everyone in Purgatory eventually goes to Heaven whether somebody prays for them or not.
From The Baltimore Catechism, no. 3, Lesson 14:
Who goes to purgatory?
Those who die in the state of grace but are guilty of venial sin, or have not fully satisfied for the temporal punishment due to their sins.
(a) There will be no purgatory after the general judgment.
(b) Since we do not know how long individual souls are detained in purgatory, there is need for persevering prayer for the repose of the souls of all those who die after reaching the use of reason, except those who are canonized or beatified by the Church.
(c) The souls in purgatory are certain of entering heaven as soon as God's justice has been fully satisfied.
2006-11-09 04:10:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi hon, I'm Catholic. Though we believe in Purgatory (a kind of spiritual waiting station where you can pray off your sins), there is nothing wrong with saying her mother is watching from heaven. I think more catholics forget about purgatory and believe in going to heaven anyway.
2006-11-09 03:39:14 · answer #5 · answered by sister steph 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Her mother is not watching over her in their faith. Only God can do that. For catholics most people either go to hell or purgatory. in purgatory people pay for their sins and people on earth pray them into heaven. Of course it is estimated by the Vatican that upwards of 80% of catholics Know little to nothing about their faith, so whatever you write to her would probably be OK.
2006-11-09 03:36:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
it might hurt her or it might not. The thing is that her mother is dead, and being dead she cannot see at all. It says it in Catholic Holy Bible . You can just tell her that YOU will be there when she is in need of something. God will be watching. If you want to find a friendship verse or something related, go to biblegateway.com and enter the keyword friend, God, love... or anything you need. Hope this helped. :)
2006-11-09 03:35:46 · answer #7 · answered by CC 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Her mom is rotting away in the ground in her coffin just like you and I will when we die. Just write a nice poem about her life and the good things she did.
2006-11-09 03:32:21 · answer #8 · answered by Grateful Fred 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is right what you said..I think she will like what you wrote her, because you make a nice gesture and she will appreciate it
2006-11-09 03:30:28 · answer #9 · answered by anthony 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just say from heaven. that's what we all want to believe our loved ones would go when they die, so just stick with your original word, which is, heaven.
2006-11-09 03:29:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋