We ask you, urgently: don't scroll past this
Dear readers, Catholic Online was de-platformed by Shopify for our pro-life beliefs. They shut down our Catholic Online, Catholic Online School, Prayer Candles, and Catholic Online Learning Resources essential faith tools serving over 1.4 million students and millions of families worldwide. Our founders, now in their 70's, just gave their entire life savings to protect this mission. But fewer than 2% of readers donate. If everyone gave just $5, the cost of a coffee, we could rebuild stronger and keep Catholic education free for all. Stand with us in faith. Thank you.Help Now >
Humanization of Death: A Challenge for Christian Formation
FREE Catholic Classes
Massimo Petrini Would Put Emphasis on Mercy and Hope
ROME, JAN. 16, 2004 (Zenit) - Theologian Massimo Petrini thinks the topic of death should be addressed more fully in catechesis -- not only for the benefit of those who are dying but also for those who remain.
Petrini, a professor at the Camillianum International Institute of Pastoral and Health Care Theology and director of the Center for the Promotion and Development of Geriatric Care at Rome's University of the Sacred Heart, presented his book "Care at the End of Life" ("La Cura a la Fine della Vita") on Wednesday.
In this interview with the newspaper Avvenire, the theologian addresses the need to make death a way of humanization and a proclamation of hope.
Q: Let us begin with the elderly. How is the topic of death addressed with them in Christian communities?
Petrini: Many times, including in the pastoral realm, we talk more about playful aspects, how to amuse them. What is needed is a pastoral program dedicated to these topics, which are not limited to the subject of death, but which touch upon suffering and the acceptance of limitations.
Q: How can this be done?
Petrini: The elderly -- at present it is those who are older than 75 -- realize that their horizon has been reduced; death is in the background. We must also have the courage to address the topic from the religious point of view.
Q: There is an old tradition of popular piety and support for a "good death."
Petrini: Without judging the past, the pastoral program in previous centuries was of an "obsessive" nature, based on the Judgment, on the darkest aspects of death. Instead, we should begin to re-read it in a note of mercy and Christian hope. The dying person must be able to accept his life and re-read it in that note.
Q: What interaction is possible between Christian communities and places where people die: hospitals, rest homes?
Petrini: In fact, even today, many oncology patients and very elderly people are at home. Therefore, it is important that the parish also be aware of these problems, whereas we are linked to the figure of chaplains of hospitals and institutions.
Q: How should the laity and priests be formed?
Petrini: If we want to have a realistic pastoral program, we must introduce these "disagreeable" topics in all kinds of catecheses, in keeping with each age and category.
Death and pain are certainly not the only things that exist. But among the many pastoral motivations, these topics must be given greater attention. Priests and religious also need to start addressing them in the seminary; for example, to allow seminarians to frequent hospitals and care institutions for some periods. It would be a way of humanization.
Q: In what sense?
Petrini: I see death as a process of humanization. It makes us grow and creates a unifying factor: Our common humanity is discovered.
These are topics that certainly cannot be exalted, but if we are able to talk about them, we humanize the atmosphere, beyond exclusion and our daily "representation."
Q: It is a different question when a child or youth dies.
Petrini: We must not look so much at the age, but see a person's death as the end of his response to a vocation. A child also, in a few months of life, in a mysterious way, has responded to the vocation God committed to him.
Q: How can a funeral be made an instance of closeness with those who suffer?
Petrini: During the funeral, people still don't realize their loss. They are surrounded by everyone. The problem arises when they return home. Closeness in mourning, signs of which we have done away with today, forms part of the support.
We must help the community to reflect on the fact that the first six months constitute a period in which the one who remains must be given greater attention, and must be heard.
Contact
Catholic Online
https://www.catholic.org
CA, US
Catholic Online - Publisher, 661 869-1000
info@yourcatholicvoice.org
Keywords
Death, Mercy, Hope
More Catholic PRWire
Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716
A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain
Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.
The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul
A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.
Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell
My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz
Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell
Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online
Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online
Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online
State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online
Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online
2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online
Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online
Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online
Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online
Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online
Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online
Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online
Full Circle
Robert Gieb
Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite
Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony
Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell
World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online
Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA
Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online
A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe
Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly
Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard
The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely
Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow
A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow
Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea
Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard
Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol
Edging God Out
Paul Sposite
Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow
George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online
Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell
Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey
Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite
Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol
Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol
Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online
Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online
Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online
Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online
Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online
Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online
Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
- Easter / Lent
- Ascension Day
- 7 Morning Prayers
- Mysteries of the Rosary
- Litany of the Bl. Virgin Mary
- Popular Saints
- Popular Prayers
- Female Saints
- Saint Feast Days by Month
- Stations of the Cross
- St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Michael the Archangel
- The Apostles' Creed
- Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
- Pray the Rosary

‘Do not yield to the temptation to think that evil can prevail’

Catholic Faithful Join Nine‑Day Novena for Peace Amid Gaza’s Deepening Humanitarian Crisis

Tennessee Priest Pleads Guilty to Sex Crimes, Will Serve Seven Years in Prison
Daily Catholic
Daily Readings for Wednesday, July 16, 2025
St. Carmen: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, July 16, 2025
A Parent's Prayer for Their Children: Prayer of the Day for Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Daily Readings for Tuesday, July 15, 2025
St. Bonaventure: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, July 15, 2025
- Act of Charity: Prayer of the Day for Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.