“Let light shine out of darkness” 2 Corinthians 4:6
November, beginning with the Feast of All Saints and The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, is Catholic Cemetery Month. This is a time when Catholics remember, honor and pray for all of the faithful departed, visiting cemeteries for some quiet reflection. Given the social distancing guidelines set forth by the state and our desire to keep everyone safe, sadly South Jersey Catholic Cemeteries has decided to cancel the masses for All Souls, normally held on November 2 at the cemetery chapel mausoleums.
However, in lieu of gathering for Mass, we invite you to join us and “Light Up the Cemetery” by bringing a solar light to the cemetery and placing it at your loved one’s grave or outside of the mausoleum for those entombed indoors to honor them in a special way during the month of November. Although solar lights are not typically permitted in the cemeteries, this restriction has been temporarily suspended. Marianne Linka, Director of Cemeteries, explained, “Twenty-twenty has been a difficult year for all, and we want to do something special to recognize those who died this year. Additionally, we want to comfort those grieving, particularly those families who were unable to be with their loved one at the time of passing because of the COVID-19 state-mandated restrictions.”
The mission of South Jersey Catholic Cemeteries is to not only sacredly bury the dead but to console and bring comfort to the grieving. We hope that families, as they place a solar light at their loved one’s grave, feel a sense of peace. “Let light shine out of darkness,” 2 Corinthians 4:6. May the solar lights placed at graveside illuminate the Catholic cemeteries in southern New Jersey in recognition of all the faithful departed, but especially those who were buried this year.
Please join us and place a solar light at your loved one’s grave or outside of the mausoleum for those entombed indoors, honoring them in a special way during the month of November. We ask that you please remove the solar lights by December 1, 2020.
In honor of All Souls Day, all diocesan managed chapel mausoleums will be open from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Monday, November 2, 2020.
Disclaimer: We are not responsible for items left on cemetery grounds.