Praying on the Highway to Heaven

Praying on the Highway to Heaven

          I drive a lot.  This is not a new thing for me, I have always spent an abnormally long amount of time in the car.  I prefer driving to flying and spent many hours on the open road for vacation time.  When I lived in Colorado I drove from one city to another for work each day, and several times a month took the hour and a half drive to Colorado Springs for diocesan events and meetings.  None of this really ever bothered me.  

          I've tried to get quality out of the quantity of my car time.  I am profoundly thankful for the increase of Theological and Scriptural audio books available on iTunes and Audible.  Catholic radio has helped me to brush up on my apologetics skills and seems to always offer the right words of encouragement at the right time.  In recent years I have used my time in the car to increase my prayer life.  I enjoy praying the rosary and praying for others as they cross my mind (or zoom by my car).  At the beginning of November we celebrate All Saints Day (for all those Saints in Heaven, known or unknown) and All Souls Day (where we pray for those who have died in the friendship of God, but are still being purified for entry into the joy of Heaven).  Although we celebrate special days for the souls of the faithful departed as Catholics we are encouraged to remember them in our prayers during the whole month of November.  As I prayed for those close to me who have passed away I realized that some of my fondest memories of each of them took place while driving.

          

           When I was in High School my Grandmother lived with us for a time and as soon as I was able to drive it was my responsibility to make sure Grandma got to where she needed to go.  I took her to Mass, to family events, to the store, and to the casino.  I enjoyed our rides together very much and I can still envision her sitting in the passenger seat.  She passed away on September 22, 2007.

         

         When I was serving in ministry at Prince of Peace there were many students who needed rides to and from Mass and youth group, without which these students would not have been able to attend either.  London was one I particularly remember; he was a funny and compassionate teen who was always hungry so our drive home often included a drive-thru.  He passed away on September 4, 2009

                   

On October 22, 2013 another friend and student passed away.  His name was Chris.  He was best friends with my brother-in-law and when they were kids I took them home from Mass and Youth Group every week.  Chris used to sing (horribly) and say things like "Let's have group therapy: How was your day today?" while we drove home. 

          

             I remember Renee from our time together in the car as well.  Her mom had asked me to teach her how to drive.  We spent many hours together in the car while she learned how to drive.  I remember the face she would make when she knew she made a mistake and would check to see if I noticed.  She died on October 3, 2012. 

          

          Maybe this is why God led me to pray in my car.  Through Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition, God has revealed that the faithful departed benefit from our prayers (2 Macc 12:44-46; CCC 1032).  There are many things we can do this month to remember our deceased loved ones.  We can pray the rosary for them, we can light a candle for them.  We can also offer our almsgiving for them and even fast or do another act of penance for them.  This month I'm going to post their pictures on social media to remind people to pray for them and ask for their intercession.  You're welcome to join me, let us make the month of November a month where we really honor, pray for, and celebrate our loved ones who have passed away.

           

          May eternal rest be granted unto Renee, Chris, London, and Grandma, O' Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May the souls of these faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

          Amen.