Gate of Heaven opens at
St. Pius X

Archbishop Miller blesses structure
for funeral urns

By Jeff Graham

Venerating the faithful who have died is an important sign of the afterlife that is to come. Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, blessed a columbarium, a structure with niches for funeral urns, at St. Pius X Parish Nov. 23.

Derek Juneson / Special to The B.C. Catholic The Gate of Heaven Columbarium, the newest addition to St. Pius X Parish in North Vancouver, asks God to shine His light on the deceased interred in the structure: “Give them eternal rest, O Lord.” At right, Archbishop Miller blesses the Columbarium, situated near the parish’s Ecological Crucifix (behind Archbishop Miller).

“Since the beginning of Christianity, the Catholic Church has most devotedly and respectfully venerated the human remains of the faithful who believe in rising again and sharing Christ’s Resurrection, continuing the way the sacred Body of the crucified Redeemer was treated,” said organizers.

The columbarium, named the Gate of Heaven by the faithful at St. Pius X, sits behind an “ecological Crucifix,” which is meant to symbolize Christ’s dominion over nature and the earth.

Although traditional burial of entire bodies is still preferred, cremation is officially permitted, and many in the Church have become increasingly open to the practice. However, a funeral Mass must be offered before the body is cremated, and cremated remains must be buried or entombed, according to Church regulations, not, for example, kept in a place of honour in the home.

Until 2009, space in the columbarium will be available only to St. Pius X parishioners, after which it will be opened up to other faithful of the Archdiocese of Vancouver.