Life and Death

"Contemporary jazz pianist Paul Cardall was born April 24, 1973; suffering from a congenital heart defect, he was given only days to live but defied medical expectations...[Later in life,] tragedy struck...a grieving Cardall spontaneously composed a musical tribute, going on to write a dozen more songs..." - Pandora

Painting: All Souls Day by Aladar Korosfoi-Kriesch

“My God, I know this place. I am home.” — A Reflection for All Souls Day - Fr. T. Rosica, Salt and Light

Resources

• Comforting a Grieving Friend - AmericanCatholic.org
• Death and Grieving - This "website will provide you with some spiritual and practical resources to help you better understand the Christian view of death and moral teachings regarding end of life issues, as well as help guide you through the process of grieving for a loved one you’ve lost through death." - CatholicsComeHome.org
• Grief and Depression - "[W]hen grief encompasses your life and you begin to feel hopeless, helpless, and worthless, then it's time to talk..." - WebMD
• Grief and Bereavement - "There is no right way to grieve. It is an individual process and a natural part of life. Life won’t be the same after a loss, but experiencing your grief will allow you to adjust to life after loss." - National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

"[P]rayer is a battle. Against whom? Against ourselves and against the wiles of the tempter who does all he can to turn man away from prayer, away from union with God." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, para. 2725).

Recovery, Restoration, Edification and Transformation

• Divine Office - “The Office is... the prayer not only of the clergy but of the whole People of God.” – Apostolic Constitution, Canticum Laudis
• Finding Your Way Through Grief: Steps for Managing Loss (10 Episodes) - CatholicTV.com
• Liturgical Calendar
• Missionary Olates of Mary Immaculate - This site provides suggestions on how to honor your deceased loved ones on All Souls Day. - Fr. John Madigan, O.M.I.
• Prayer Request - Catholic.org
• Rosary Stars: Praying the Gospel Trailer

Divine Office

"We are pilgrims for Eternal Life…" - ChurchInNeed.org

Our Lady of Sorrows - Memorial

"Dearest virgin and Mother Mary, who could put your great sorrow into words?  Who could describe the tears you shed out of love?  Your dear Jesus has had his body nailed to the cross, and you, Mary, have had your spirit pierced by those same nails...Weep, then, my soul, as you look from the one to the other, from the Mother to the Son.  Take pity on the dear, gentle Lamb of God who has been subjected to such suffering in order to wash your filthy wounds.  And have compassion on his pure, immaculate Mother, who is afflicted and made bitter enough to die" (Father G. Savonarola, cited in Magnificat, 2011, p. 189).

Resources

• Daily Reading
• Saint of the Day
• Catholic Culture
• MassTimes.org
• Grief and Loss
• Death of a Child: Catholic Books at Amazon.com
• Grief: Coping with Reminders After Loss
• Helping Children Cope with Loss, Death and Grief
• Family Ties (ages 8-12)
• I Will Remember You: My Catholic Guide Through Grief