ARGENTINE KNOWN ONLY BY GOD RE-BURIED AT
By J. Brock (FINN)
A service of re-burial for an Argentine soldier known only by God took place at
The service began with the exhumation of the remains from a spot where part of the new Argentine War Memorial will be built. Monsignor made the sign of the cross in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost and sprinkled Holy Water on the coffin as it was being raised.
As the coffin was being raised, Monsignor McPartland read Psalm 129 (130) “Out of the Depths.” Following the reading of the psalm there was a procession with the coffin to the new grave. Monsignor McPartland blessed the new grave, which is located on the front row at the extreme right end of the row as you enter the cemetery.
While the coffin was being lowered into the new grave, Monsignor said the following: “Lord Jesus Christ, by your own three days in the tomb you made holy the graves of all who believe in you, and by doing so you strengthened the hope of resurrection in those whose bodies are subject to decay. Grant we pray you that your servant may rest in peace in this new grave until the day when you, the resurrection and the life, enrich him with life made new. May he be in the new life of your countenance behold eternal light in heaven. You who live and reign forever. Amen.”
During the lowering of the coffin Monsignor McPartland prayed about committing the body to the ground from whence it came and commending our brother to the Lord. The RAF Padre then read the 23rd Psalm and finished off by reading from the Gospel of John, Chapter 14: 1-3. There was then a short pause for reflection, the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer and a communal prayer for God’s mercy and the request that he know God’s loving goodness and be united with the angelic throng.
After the coffin was sprinkled with Holy Water, the service ended in silence.
