Strange Experience During Mass

[Liturgy_Geek_1]

Yesterday, I was cantoring Mass so I am up in the sanctuary. During the Eucharistic prayer (I keep my eyes closed and head bowed)., I vividly saw the faces of my paternal great-grandmother Emma Carolina Anderson Johnson (1858-1934) and my great uncle Herbert Emanuel Johnson (1886-1929). I’m the family genealogist and I have photos of both of them.

I immediately prayed for them, asking God to take the graces from the Mass that I would receive and apply them to Emma and Herbert, not knowing if they are in purgatory or not. I felt very peaceful after Mass.

Anyone else have a take on this or am I just weird? Thanks!

 

[Lea101]

If that were to happen to me…I would think it happened so that I would pray for their souls too

 

[Casilda]

You did the right thing, God brings to mind those whom He wishes us to pray for.

 

[AKDee]

I think you did the right thing, I think you were being called to pray for their souls and to offer up your Mass for them.

 

[eatpraylove11]

Perhaps they were sending their love to you. I am sure they greatly appreciated you remembering them in your prayers

 

[jamesjim]

Yesterday, I was cantoring Mass so I am up in the sanctuary. During the Eucharistic prayer (I keep my eyes closed and head bowed)., I vividly saw the faces of my paternal great-grandmother Emma Carolina Anderson Johnson (1858-1934) and my great uncle Herbert Emanuel Johnson (1886-1929). I’m the family genealogist and I have photos of both of them.

I immediately prayed for them, asking God to take the graces from the Mass that I would receive and apply them to Emma and Herbert, not knowing if they are in purgatory or not. I felt very peaceful after Mass.

Anyone else have a take on this or am I just weird? Thanks!

Ours is to speculate, as it is difficult to know (without communication) as to the purpose of their presence.
Perhaps they were there to be of assistance and guidance to you, or perhaps you saw them in order to pray for them as you did.
If the message that they were trying to convey was not resolved, they may try to interact in another fashion. Pay attention to the intricacies of your awareness (be careful not to see things that don’t exist or try to fabricate reality in search of more meaning, but be receptive to messages as they may come).
Rest assured in your faith in Christ that He will protect you from harm as this is clarified… and be ecstatic in your faith, as you were blessed to have this vision…especially in Church. … and no, you are not weird.

 

[GEddie]

ICXC NiKA

 

[Liturgy_Geek_1]

and no, you are not weird.

I will be sure to mention to my co-worker that someone else out there does not think I am weird. She thinks I’m very weird! :whacky:

Thank you to everyone who responded. I feel like I did the right thing during Mass. I am the only Catholic on my father’s side of the family so they might very well be asking for prayers.

Thank you again!

 

[jamesjim]

I will be sure to mention to my co-worker that someone else out there does not think I am weird. She thinks I’m very weird! :whacky:

Thank you to everyone who responded. I feel like I did the right thing during Mass. I am the only Catholic on my father’s side of the family so they might very well be asking for prayers.

Thank you again!

LOL… you’re not weird…but attuned to something more amazing than you know.

 

[Rosebud77]

This reminded me… years ago now a dear friend, a Nun , who had stood by me even at a distance through some terrible times, was old and I knew she was ill.

I had a dream, one night, or maybe not quite a dream, Of Sister there in a room full of fragrant white flowers, All was happiness and peace. Totally lovely.

The following day I had a call from the Convent; she had died the night before .

I get a fair number of these intimations and do not always know the source or who it is. Once it was someone very close to me, in hospital in Canada, She was screaming with pain. When I called, I was told she was fine when they saw her but they immediately checked with the hospital and she was in agony and died that day.
That day when the awareness came,I was atop a mountain and had just driven a dangerous road and was thankful she had waited. The screams were so strong.

I try to use it for prayer.

 

[jamesjim]

This reminded me… years ago now a dear friend, a Nun , who had stood by me even at a distance through some terrible times, was old and I knew she was ill.

I had a dream, one night, or maybe not quite a dream, Of Sister there in a room full of fragrant white flowers, All was happiness and peace. Totally lovely.

The following day I had a call from the Convent; she had died the night before .

I get a fair number of these intimations and do not always know the source or who it is. Once it was someone very close to me, in hospital in Canada, She was screaming with pain. When I called, I was told she was fine when they saw her but they immediately checked with the hospital and she was in agony and died that day.
That day when the awareness came,I was atop a mountain and had just driven a dangerous road and was thankful she had waited. The screams were so strong.

I try to use it for prayer.

It sounds as if you are open to communication too…that was a close call on the mountain! It looks like Jesus is guiding you. Are your visions/intimations always surrounding death?

@Liturgy_Geek…I cannot help but associate your experience in Church with your plea for help yesterday regarding your financial hiccup…(which I have faith will turn out well for you)

 

[Rosebud77]

It sounds as if you are open to communication too…that was a close call on the mountain! It looks like Jesus is guiding you. **Are your visions/intimations always surrounding death?
**
@Liturgy_Geek…I cannot help but associate your experience in Church with your plea for help yesterday regarding your financial hiccup…(which I have faith will turn out well for you)

No. The flowers one was to comfort and reassure that she was OK… The second was a cry for help and that is what they usually are. An awareness that someone is in great need of prayer.

One funny one!

I was sending handwork samples overseas to try for orders. When I was in the small Post office, I kept “seeing” the stamps peeling off the parcel and the address label getting torn. I made sure time after time that all was fine and attached.But still was worried.

Three days later the packet arrived at my home… Yep. stamp missing and they had delivered to the SENDER address.I took it to the delivery office ( not the one I had postd it at) and the Post Mistress admiited she had sorted the packet and not noticed the error

 

[Liturgy_Geek_1]

It happened again at Mass yesterday.

I had my head bowed and was assisting in prayer during the Eucharistic prayer. This time, I saw my maternal grandfather Harry. Harry was evil. He committed murder, rape and other heinous sins. When I saw Harry’s face, I admit that I said “Oh no, God. I’m pretty sure Harry is cooking on medium broil in hell. I am NOT offering my Mass for him.” After more prayer during the Eucharistic prayer, I relented and offered my Mass for Harry. I admit that I felt drained after Mass. I have never struggled in prayer like that.

Can prayers for the dead be offered for those in hell?

 

[Katherine438]

It happened again at Mass yesterday.

I had my head bowed and was assisting in prayer during the Eucharistic prayer. This time, I saw my maternal grandfather Harry. Harry was evil. He committed murder, rape and other heinous sins. When I saw Harry’s face, I admit that I said “Oh no, God. I’m pretty sure Harry is cooking on medium broil in hell. I am NOT offering my Mass for him.” After more prayer during the Eucharistic prayer, I relented and offered my Mass for Harry. I admit that I felt drained after Mass. I have never struggled in prayer like that.

Can prayers for the dead be offered for those in hell?

We can never say for certain where someone will go after they pass on … the mercy of our Lord is amazing.

 

[AKDee]

It happened again at Mass yesterday.

I had my head bowed and was assisting in prayer during the Eucharistic prayer. This time, I saw my maternal grandfather Harry. Harry was evil. He committed murder, rape and other heinous sins. When I saw Harry’s face, I admit that I said “Oh no, God. I’m pretty sure Harry is cooking on medium broil in hell. I am NOT offering my Mass for him.” After more prayer during the Eucharistic prayer, I relented and offered my Mass for Harry. I admit that I felt drained after Mass. I have never struggled in prayer like that.

Can prayers for the dead be offered for those in hell?

You don’t know where he is. If he had contrition, even in the moment of his death, and asked Jesus for mercy, he may well be in purgatory. If he is in hell, God will use your Mass offering for another soul in need, so it was not wasted regardless. And we should always pray and sacrifice for our deceased family members and friends.

 

[Liturgy_Geek_1]

You don’t know where he is. If he had contrition, even in the moment of his death, and asked Jesus for mercy, he may well be in purgatory. If he is in hell, God will use your Mass offering for another soul in need, so it was not wasted regardless. And we should always pray and sacrifice for our deceased family members and friends.

You and others are right. After researching Harry’s life I have become so appalled at his corrupt deeds that I have forgotten that vital truth. Harry could have asked for mercy at the end. I do have Mass said for him on his death anniversary date. I will not struggle with God about Harry anymore but will trust him to the mercy of God.

Thank you all for your great answers!