The Ransom
"Restrain not grace from the dead." - Ecclesiasticus 7:37
"If," as Saint Chrysostom says, "almsgiving is a ladder to heaven, a piscina for sin, a certain refuge for both the giver and receiver; if," still following the words of the same Saint, "it is not merely tears but offerings and alms that are necessary to aid the dead;" if, according to celestial language, alms effaces sin as water extinguishes fire, not only mortal sin in itself, but the temporal punishment which remains due to it, - how can we hesitate to redeem, as far as is in our power, these poor captives of divine Justice, by passing their ransom through the hands of earth's poor ones who are the privileged friends of God?
I distinguish here two sorts of alms, obligatory and spontaneous.
Obligatory, necessary, indispensable, sacred alms is that imposed on heirs by the will of the dying, whether it is manifested to them verbally or by legal notice. Freely to dispense one's self from carrying out this wish is a great crime.
Spontaneous, free, voluntary alms is that of which we intend chiefly to speak. Here is the praise bestowed on it by Saint Chrysostom: "Almsgiving," says he, "is a friend of God; she is always found near Him, obtains favors agreeable to Him, breaks the chains of sin, dissipates darkness, stifles the flames of passion, and opens the gates of heaven. Tliose who have charge of her respect her as a queen; they ask not who she is or whom she seeks: all go to meet and receive her with joy. She is pure; she has golden wings and garments of marvellous beauty; iier countenance is full of sweetness; the swiftness of her wings carries her in a moment to the throne of God."
Elsewhere he adds that alms made to the poor, for the benefit of the dead, is as if made to themselves. A man lamented having lost his only heir. The holy Doctor wrote to him in these terms: "Why these tears, why these cries? Because he lived not to be your heir? But has he not become by death the heir of Jesus Christ? Without doubt you acknowledge this; still you say, 'To whom then can I leave my rich garments, my superb residences, my estates?' To whom? To himself; yes, to himself; and much more advantageously than if he lived. What can prevent you? Absolutely nothing; for, if the generality of barbarous nations are accustomed to burn with their dead all that belonged to them during life, can you not with perfect equity deliver all the goods you had destined for this only heir, not to the flames to be reduced to ashes, but to the poor of Jesus Christ to clothe and nourish them by abundant alms? If this heir died with some blemish, he will be purified; if, on the contrary, he has been found faultless at the moment of death, his glory will be increased. What still remains to you? The desire to see him? Very well; live holily, as he did, and you will be reunited in heaven."
Tobias, who practised great charity towards the dead, expressly recommended his son to follow his example. "My son," said he, "put your bread and wine not uselessly on the tomb of the impious, but on the tomb of the just who shall have the happiness of profiting by it." It was he who said to give alms to the souls in Purgatory, according to the rule he had traced for the poor. "My son. if you have much, give much; if you have little, give little, but always with a good heart."
The illustrious and glorious chief of the Machabees passed through the midst of the crowded ranks of victorious soldiers, and taking the hand of each one, asked alms for their companions in arms who had died in the combat.
Saint Paulinus, Advocate, Consul, Bishop, who lived on the most intimate relations with Saints Martin, Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine, and with the most illustrious and holiest pei'sons, twelve centuries after his death merited praise from the reformers themselves for his piety towards God and charity to the poor, making every day numerous alms in their favor, and seizing with eagerness all opportunities of spreading and communicating this pure and ardent zeal. He congratulated Pammachius, as did Saint Jerome, who said: "Oilier husbands strew violets and roses on the graves of their wives; but our friend Pammachius bedews the hallowed dust of Paulina with the precious balm of almsgiving."
The same Saint Paulinus notices with praise what was done by a young Roman lord named Alethius. After the death of his wife, Rufine, he assembled the poor in Saint Peter's Church to distribute food and alms for the relief of the soul of his dear one, who was the daughter of the famous Saint Paula.
Practice
Make good use of your fortune during life. Be not blind enough to depend on heirs, believing that, having forgotten yourself while on earth, they will remember you when you have departed and give alms in your name. Now that you are able, do what lies in your power. Such alms will be surer, more meritorious and useful for your salvation.
Those who shall feed three poor persons, to recall and honor Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in a special manner, can gain:
Prayer of the Church
Lord, listen favorably to our humble prayers. We beseech Thee to conduct to the abode of glory and peace, and to a place among the number of Thy Saints, the soul of Thy servant who has departed from this world.
O sweetest Heart of Jesus! I implore That I may ever love Thee more and more.
- text taken from Month of the Dead by Father Celestin Cloquet, translated by a Sister of Mercy, with the Imprimatur of Archbishop Michael Augustine Corrigan, Archdiocese of New York, 18 October 1886