The Development of the Vigil for the Deceased
in the Order of Christian Funerals (USA), 1969-1989
Matthew S. Ernest
Abstract
This article studies the development of the Vigil for the Deceased in the Order of Christian Funerals (USA) through an examination of the archival documents of the committees entrusted with this work. There follows a discussion of the theological/pastoral foci of the Vigil in light of the diachronic presentation and analysis.
Sommario
Questo articolo studia lo sviluppo della Veglia per i defunti nell’Order of Christian Funerals (USA) tramite un esame dei documenti d’archivio delle commissioni incaricate di questo lavoro. Segue una esposizione sui principali aspetti teologico-pastorali della Vigilia nella luce della presentazione e delle analisi diacroniche.
Father Matthew S. Ernest, S.T.D. is Professor and Director of Liturgy at Saint Joseph’s Seminary (Dunwoodie) in Yonkers, New York and the Director of the Office of Liturgy for the Archdiocese of New York. He serves as a censor librorum for the Archdiocese, and he holds a doctorate in liturgical studies from the Catholic University of America.