Arimatheans
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Serving as Arimatheans
The name of the ministry comes from Joseph of Arimathea, who appears in all four of the Gospels.
When it was already evening, since it was the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a distinguished member of the council, who was himself awaiting the Kingdom of God, came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was amazed that he was already dead. He summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had already died. And when he learned of it from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. Having brought a linen cloth, he took him down, wrapped him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus, watched where he laid. (Mark 15, 42-47)
At each funeral Mass, there are usually four Arimatheans who perform the following tasks:
- Light all the candles including the Paschal candle
- Assure enough seating for priests and deacons
- Prepare the gifts and the incense for Mass
- Precede the celebrant(s) with candles and cross when the remains are brought to the front of the church for the Mass and when the remains are carried to the lobby at the end of the Mass
- Assist the celebrant as altar servers
- Serve as lector and as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, if necessary.
With each funeral Mass, Arimatheans hope to do their small part in comforting a grieving family in the example of their namesake, who must have comforted Mary with his care of the body of Jesus.
If you are interested in serving as an Arimathean, please call Terry Sullivan at 301-257-2999.
