Over the last week I was in a traditional Polish cemetery.. my great great great Uncle was buried there.. Thefil Starzynski.. which is from St Luke Gospel.. beloved of God.

I felt called to pray before each and every grave.. now the people here were beloved sons and daughters of Poland as they wanted to be buried under the glance and love of Our Lady of Częstochowa.. queen of Poland.

What I learned, is that the people who were buried in this traditional Polish cemetery.. the tomb stone were works of art.. Images of Mary, Jesus, Joseph or one of the saints.. there was almost no reference to the person who died, other than their name.. Why.. because in death our faith is in Jesus Mary or Joseph.. our personal self.. look at me.. was next to nothing. Idea, pray to Mary for me.

Over 3 days I prayed in front of every grave.. The Tomb Stones were works of art that inspired devotion and faith.. while not common here where I prayed but in most cemetery is a focus on the person rather than on Jesus and Mary. Tomb stones have pictures of the person who died, with a pretty quote like ‘don’t weep for me.’

Whereas old tomb stones had images of Jesus and Mary with ‘who ever see this tomb stone pray for me.’

I think our view of death can be seen on tombstones., those who died hundreds of years ago. Images of Jesus Mary Joseph or one of the saints.. many today a picture of person who died with little or no reference to Jesus or Mary.. I would say ‘just look at the tomb stones and you can see what people think is important..