~keeping faith & family close to heart in a modern world~


praying in old catholic church

“As the sparrow finds a home and the swallow a nest to settle her young, my home is by Your altars, LORD of hosts, my king and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They never cease to praise You.

Blessed the man who finds refuge in you, in their hearts are pilgrim roads. As they pass through the Baca valley, they find spring water to drink. The early rain covers it with blessings. They will go from strength to strength and see the God of gods on Zion.

LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; listen, God of Jacob. For a sun and shield is the LORD God, bestowing all grace and glory. The LORD withholds no good thing from those who walk without reproach.”

PSALMS 84

blooming purple flower

“Our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective.” {CCC 958}

🤍🌹🪦🔆 All Soul’s Day 2023 🔆🪦🌹🤍

A day WELL-spent visiting family graves alongside a very loving family.

Wyoming Cemetery
Wyoming, IA

On last years All Souls cemetery visits,

I was pregnant with my little sugar, Cambrie.

This year, BOTH of my little ones got to see and experience what I hope will become one of the most important traditions of this Jansa family. 🔆

Mama explaining to baby Mac that we are NOT to STEP on or JUMP on grave headstones …

Husband Paul’s Grandpa Leonard 😇 🕊️

~ A handful of flower bunches were prepared for certain graves that would be prioritized.

~ A container of small, short-stemmed flowers were kept “single” so I could quickly & easily place them on any baby or infant graves I stumbled across.


My “Intended Visits” list was likely unrealistic from the start.. and I was quickly humbled by setting out more than an hour later than I had planned.

Even so, the Lord kept me focused on the true purpose of the day. Regardless of how many LESS graves I visited than my intent, I was blessed to have, still, Family who were happy to accompany me & chat about those who had departed. 🤍🌹🪦


I prayed one Eternal Rest prayer at each infant/baby grave:


“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

& let perpetual light shine upon them.

May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, Rest In Peace.

Amen.”


(I added it to the end of my reading/prayers for family member graves)


Here are the prayers & readings I used

for each family member:

I ended by placing my hand on the gravestone

& praying the Eternal Rest <3