I had an interesting coversation with a Catholic priest this morning about O-bon. He is Japanese, so he understands Japan and Japanese customs better than I do. He said something that I thought was interesting.
He told me that the religion of most Japanese people and Catholicism (カトリック教) have something in common (共通点). In both religions, we pray for our dead.
During O-bon, most Japanese people welcome home the spirits of their family members. They also have a Buddhist priest pray for their deceased (死者) family members on a regular basis.
At every Catholic Mass (ミサ) we pray for the souls (魂? 霊?) of the deceased as well. Since Catholic Masses are being held at all times, all over the world, the dead are being prayed for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
At every Mass, the priest prays:
Remember our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection (復活), and all who have died in your mercy (慈悲): welcome them into the light of your face.
If you go to ミサ in Japanese, you will hear this:
また、復活の希望をもって眠りについた私たちの兄弟と全ての死者を心に留め、あなたの光の中に受け入れてください。
We all respect and love our dead, and hope for their peace in the next world.
Did you pray for the dead this O-bon?
