Commendation of the Dying
Commendation of the Dying
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INDEX
INTRODUCTION
SHORT TEXTS
READINGS
A. Job 19: 23-27
B. Psalm 23
C. Psalm 25
D. Psalm 91
E. Psalm 121
F. 1 John 4:16
G. Revelation 21:1-5a, 6-7
H. Matthew 25:1-13
I. Luke 22:39-46
J. Luke 23:44-49
K. Luke 24:1-8
L. John 6:37-40
M. John 14:1-6, 23, 27
LITANY OF THE SAINTS
A Litany
B Brief Litany
PRAYER OF COMMENDATION (L)
A. B. C D E (Salve Regina)
PRAYERS AFTER DEATH (L)
A (Subvenite) B (Psalm 130) C (Psalm 23)
D E F
PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS (L)
A For the family and friends
B For the deceased person and for family and friends
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
212. In viaticum the dying person is united with Christ in his passage out of this world to the Father. Through the prayers for the commendation of the dying contained in this chapter, the Church helps to sustain this union until it is brought to fulfillment after death.
213. Christians have the responsibility of expressing their union in Christ by joining the dying person in prayer for God’s mercy and for confidence in Christ. In particular, the presence of a priest or deacon shows more clearly that the Christian dies in the communion of the Church. He should assist the dying person and those present with the recitation of the prayers of commendation and, following death, he should lead those present in the prayer after death. If the priest or deacon is unable to be present because of other serious pastoral obligations, other members of the community should be prepared to assist with these prayers and should have the texts readily available to them.
214. The minister may choose texts from among the prayer, litanies, aspirations, psalms and reading provided in this chapter or others may be added. In the selection of these texts, the minister should keep in mind the condition and piety of both the dying person and the members of the family who are present. The prayers are best said in a slow, quiet voice, alternating with periods of silence. If possible, the minister says one or more of the brief prayer formulas with the dying person. These may be softly repeated two or three times.
215. These texts are intended to help the dying person, if still conscious, to face the natural human anxiety about death by imitating Christ in his patient suffering and dying. The Christian will be helped to surmount his or her fear in the hope of heavenly life and resurrection through the power of Christ, who destroyed the power of death by his own dying.
Even if the dying person is not conscious, those who are present will draw consolation from these prayers and come to a better understanding of the paschal character of Christian death. This may be visibly expressed by making the sign of the cross on the forehead of the dying person, who was first signed with the cross at baptism.
216. Immediately after death has occurred, all may kneel while one of those present leads the prayers after death given in this chapter.
One or more of the following short texts may be recited with the dying person. If necessary, they may be softly repeated two or three times.
Romans 8:35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ?
Romans 14:8 Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
2 Corinthians 5:1 We have an everlasting home in heaven.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 We shall be with the Lord for ever.
1 John 3:2 We shall see God as he really is
1 John 3:14 We have passed from death to life
because we love one another
Psalm 25:1 To you, Lord, I lift up my soul
Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation
Psalm 27:13 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Psalm 42:3 My soul thirsts for the living God
Psalm 23:4 Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil
for you are with me
Matthew 25:34 Come, blessed of my Father,
says the Lord Jesus,
and take possession of the kingdom
prepared for you.
Luke 23:43 The Lord Jesus says,
today you will be with me in paradise.
John 14:2 In my Father’s home,
there are many dwelling places,
says the Lord Jesus.
John 14:2-3 The Lord Jesus says,
I go to prepare a place for you,
and I will come again to take you to myself.
John 17:24 I desire that where I am,
they also may be with me,
says the Lord Jesus.
John 6:40 Everyone who believes in the Son
has eternal life.
Psalm 31:5a Into your hands, Lord,
I commend my spirit.
Holy Mary, pray for me.
Saint Joseph, pray for me.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph:
assist me in my last agony.
The word of God is proclaimed by one of those present or by the minister. Selections from Part III or one of the following readings may be used. Additional options are found in Pastoral Care of the Sick - Readings, found in the ‘Rites’ Section of the iBreviary.
A. Job 19: 23-27
Job’s act of faith is a model for our own; God is the God of the living
Job said:
Oh, would that my words were written down!
Would that they were inscribed in a record:
That with an iron chisel and with lead
they were cut in the rock forever!
But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives,
and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust;
Whom I myself shall see:
my own eyes, not another’s, shall behold him.
And from my flesh I shall see God;
my inmost being is consumed with longing.
B. Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even when I walk in the dark valley,
I fear no evil: for you are at my side
With your rod and staff
that give me courage
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for years to come.
C. Psalm 25
To you I lift up my soul,
O Lord, my God.
Your ways, O Lord, make known to me;
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.
and for you I wait all the day
Remember that your comassion, O Lord,
and your kindness are from of old.
The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not;
in your kindness remember me
because of your goodness, Lord.
Good and upright is the Lord,
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice.
he teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy
toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
For your name’s sake, O Lord,
you will pardon my guilt, great as it is.
D. Psalm 91
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
Say to the LORD, “My refuge and fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.“
For he will rescue you from snare of the fowler,
from the destroying pestilence,
With his pinions he will cover you,
and under his wings that you shall take refuge;
his faithfulness is a buckler and a shield.
You shall not fear the terror of the night
nor the arrow that flies by day,
Not the pestilence that roams in darkness
nor the devastating plague at noon.
Though a thousand fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right side,
near you it shall not come.
Rather with your eyes shall you behold;
and see the requital of the wicked.
Because you have the Lord for your refuge;
you have made the Most High your stronghold.
No evil shall befall you,
nor shall affliction come near your tent,
For to his angels he has given command about you,
that they guard you in all your ways.
Upon their hands they shall bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the asp and the viper,
you shall trample down the lion and the dragon.
Because he clings to me I will deliver him;
I will set him on high because he acknowledges my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in distress;
I will deliver him and glorify him;
with length of days I will gratify him
and will show him my salvation.
E. Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help cometo me?
My help is from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
May he suffer not allow your foot to slip;
may he slumber not who guards you:
Indeed he neither slumbers not nor sleeps,
the guardian of Israel.
The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade;
he is beside you at your right hand.
The Lord will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your life.
The Lord will guard your coming and your going,
both now and forever.
F. 1 John 4:16
We have come to know and to believe
in the love God has for us.
God is love,
and he who abides in love
abides in God
and God in him.
G. Revelation 21:1-5a, 6-7
God our Father is the God of newness and life; it is his desire that we should come to share his life with him.
I, John saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.” The one who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son.”
H. Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus bids us be prepared for our ultimae destiny, which is eternal life.
Jesus spoke this parable: “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise ones replied, ‘No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us!’ But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, 5 for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
I. Luke 22:39-46
Jesus is alive to our pain and sorrow, because faithfulness to his Father’s will cost him life itself.
Then going out Jesus went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived at the place he said to them, “Pray that you may not undergo the test.” After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling, Jesus prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.” And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. Jesus was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief. He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test.”
J. Luke 23:44-49
Jesus’ death is witnessed by his friends.
It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last. The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, “This man was innocent beyond doubt.” When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts; but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events.
K. Luke 24:1-8
Jesus is alive; he gives us eternal life with the Father.
At daybreak on the first day of the week the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day.” And the women remembered his words.
L. John 6:37-40
Jesus will raise his own from death and give them eternal life.
Jesus said to the crowds: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise them on the last day.”
M. John 14:1-6, 23, 27
The love of Jesus can raise us up from the sorrow of death to the joy of eternal life.
Jesus said to his disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
219. When the condition of the dying person calls for the use of brief forms of prayer, those who are present are encouraged to pray the litany of the saints—or at least some of its invocation—for him or her. Special mention may be made of the patron saints of the dying person, of the family and or the parish. The litany may be said or sung in the usual way. Other customary prayers may also be used.
One of the following litanies may be used:
A
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for him/her
Holy angels of God, pray for him/her
Abraham, our father in faith, pray for him/her
David, leader of God’s people, pray for him/her
All holy patriarchs and prophets, pray for him/her
Saint John the Baptist, pray for him/her
Saint Joseph, pray for him/her
Saint Peter and Saint Paul, pray for him/her
Saint Andrew, pray for him/her
Saint John, pray for him/her
Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for him/her
Saint Stephen, pray for him/her
Saint Ignatius, pray for him/her
Saint Lawrence, pray for him/her
Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity, pray for him/her
Saint Agnes,
Saint Gregory, pray for him/her
Saint Augustine, pray for him/her
Saint Athanasius, pray for him/her
Saint Basil, pray for him/her
Saint Martin, pray for him/her
Saint Benedict, pray for him/her
Saint Francis and Saint Dominic, pray for him/her
Saint Francis Xavier, pray for him/her
Saint John Vianney, pray for him/her
Saint Catherine, pray for him/her
Saint Teresa, pray for him/her
Other saints may be included here.
All holy men and women, pray for him/her
Lord, be merciful, Lord, save your people.
From all evil, Lord, save your people.
From every sin, Lord, save your people.
From Satan’s power, Lord, save your people.
At the moment of death, Lord, save your people.
From everlasting death, Lord, save your people.
On the day of judgment, Lord, save your people.
By your coming as man, Lord, save your people.
By your suffering and cross, Lord, save your people.
By your death and rising to new life, Lord, save your people.
By your return in glory to the Father, Lord, save your people.
By your gift of the Holy Spirit, Lord, save your people.
By your coming again in glory, Lord, save your people.
Be merciful to us sinners, Lord, hear our people.
Bring N. to eternal life, first promised to him/her in baptism, Lord, hear our prayer.
Raise N. on the last day, for he/she has eaten the Bread of Life, Lord, hear our prayer.
Let N. share in your glory, for he/she has shared in your suffering and death, Lord, hear our prayer.
Jesus, Son of the Living God, Lord, hear our prayer.
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. Lord Jesus, hear our prayer.
B
A brief form of the litany may be prayed. Other saints may be added, including the patron saints of the dying person, of the family, and of the parish; saints to whom the dying person had a special devotion may also be included.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for him/her
Holy angels of God, pray for him/her
Saint John the Baptist, pray for him/her
Saint Joseph, pray for him/her
Saint Peter and Saint Paul, pray for him/her
Other saints may be included here.
All holy men and women, pray for him/her.
220. When the moment of death seems near, some of the following prayers may be said:
A.
Go forth, Christian soul, from this world
in the name of God the almighty Father,
who created you,
in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
who suffered for you,
in the name of the Holy Spirit,
who was poured out upon you,
go forth, faithful Christian.
May you live in peace this day,
may your home be with God,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with Joseph, and all the angels and saints.
[Latin:
Proficíscere ánima christiána de hoc mundo,
in nómine Dei Patris omnipoténtis, qui te creávit,
in nómine Iesu Christi Fílii Dei, qui pro te passus est.,
in nómine Spíritus Sancti, qui in te effúsus est;
hódie sit in pace locus tuus
et habitátio tua apud Deum in sancta Sion.
Cum sancta Dei Genetríce Vírgine María,
cum sancto Ioseph,
et omnibus Angelis et Sanctis Dei.]
B.
I commend you, my dear brother/sister,
to almighty God,
and entrust you to your Creator.
May you return to him
who formed you from the dust of the earth.
May holy Mary, the angels, and all the saints
come to meet you as you go forth from this life.
May Christ who was crucified for you
bring you freedom and peace.
May Christ who died for you
admit you into his garden of paradise.
May Christ, the true Shepherd,
acknowledge you as one of his flock.
May you see the Redeemer face to face,
and enjoy the vision of God for ever.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
Comméndo te omnipoténti Deo, caríssime frater (caríssima soror),
et ei, cuius es creatúra, commítto:
ut, ad auctórem tuum,
qui te de limo terræ formáverat, revertáris.
Tibi ítaque egrediénti de hac vita
Líberet te Christus, qui pro te crucifíxus est,
líberet te Christus, qui pro te mori dignátus est,
constítuat te Christus, Fílius Dei vivi, intra paradísum suum
et inter oves suas te verus ille Pastor agnóscat.
Redemptórem tuum fácie ad fáciem vídeas,
et contemplatiónis Dei potiáris in sǽcula sæculórum.
R. Amen.]
C.
Welcome your servant, Lord, into the place of salvation which because of your mercy he/she rightly hoped for.
R. Amen.
or: R. Lord, save your people.
Deliver your servant, Lord, from every distress.
R. Amen.
or: R. Lord, save your people.
Deliver your servant, Lord, as you delivered Noah from the flood.
R. Amen.
or: R. Lord, save your people.
Deliver your servant, Lord, as you delivered Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees.
R. Amen.
or: R. Lord, save your people.
Deliver your servant, Lord, as you delivered Job from his sufferings.
R. Amen.
or: R. Lord, save your people.
Deliver your servant, Lord, as you delivered Moses from the hand of the Pharoah.
R. Amen.
or: R. Lord, save your people.
Deliver your servant, Lord, as you delivered Daniel from the den of lions.
R. Amen.
or: R. Lord, save your people.
Deliver your servant, Lord, as you delivered the three young men from the fiery furnace.
R. Amen.
or: R. Lord, save your people.
Deliver your servant, Lord, as you delivered Susanna from her false accusers.
R. Amen.
or: R. Lord, save your people.
Deliver your servant, Lord, as you delivered David from the attacks of Saul and Goliath.
R. Amen.
or: R. Lord, save your people.
Deliver your servant, Lord, as you delivered Peter and Paul from prison.
R. Amen.
or: R. Lord, save your people.
Deliver your servant, Lord, through Jesus our Savior, who suffered death for us and gave us eternal life.
R. Amen.
or: R. Lord, save your people.
[Latin:
Súscipe, Dómine, servum tuum (ancíllam tuam)
in locum sperándæ sibi salvatiónis a misericórdia tua.
R. Amen.
Líbera, Dómine, servum tuum (ancíllam tuam)
ex ómnibus tribulatiónibus. R. Amen.
Líbera, Dómine, servum tuum (ancíllam tuam)
sicut liberásti Noe de dilúvio. R. Amen.
Líbera, Dómine, servum tuum (ancíllam tuam),
sicut liberásti Abraham de Ur Chaldæórum. R. Amen.
Líbera, Dómine, servum tuum (ancíllam tuam),
sicut liberásti Iob de passiónibus suis. R. Amen.
Líbera, Dómine, servum tuum (ancíllam tuam),
sicut liberásti Móysen de manu Pharaónis. R. Amen.
Líbera, Dómine, servum tuum (ancíllam tuam),
sicut liberásti Daniélem de lacu leónum. R. Amen.
Líbera, Dómine, servum tuum (ancíllam tuam),
sicut liberásti tres púeros de camíno ignis ardéntis,
et de manu regis iníqui. R. Amen.
Líbera, Dómine, servum tuum (ancíllam tuam),
sicut liberásti Susánnam de falso crímine. R. Amen.
Líbera, Dómine, servum tuum (ancíllam tuam),
sicut liberásti David de manu regis Saul,
et de manu Golíæ. R. Amen.
Líbera, Dómine, servum tuum (ancíllam tuam),
sicut liberásti Petrum et Paulum de carcéribus. R. Amen.
Líbera, Dómine, servum tuum (ancíllam tuam),
Per Iesum Salvatórem nostrum,
qui pro nobis mortem súbiit amáram
nobísque vitam donávit ætérnam.
R. Amen.]
D.
Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the world,
we pray for your servant, N.,
and commend him/her to your mercy.
For his/her sake you came down from heaven;
receive him/her now into the joy of your kingdom.
For though he/she has sinned,
he/she has not denied the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
but has believed in God
and has worshipped his/her Creator.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
Commendámus tibi, Dómine, fámulum tuum N.
precamúrque te, Dómine Iesu Christe, Salvátor mundi,
ut, propter quam ad terram misericórditer descendísti,
in gáudium regni tui benígnus accípias.
Licet enim peccáverit,
Patrem, et Fílium, et Spíritum Sanctum non negávit,
sed crédidit,
et Deum, qui fecit ómnia, fidéliter adorávit.
R. Amen.]
E The following antiphon may be said or sung
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, the children of Eve;
to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping
in this land of exile.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us;
lead us home at last
and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus:
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
[Latin:
Salve Regína, máter misericórdiæ;
víta, dulcédo et spes nóstra, sálve.
Ad te clamámus éxsules fílii Évæ.
Ad te suspirámus, geméntes et fléntes
in hac lacrimárum válle.
Eia ergo, advocáta nóstra,
íllos túos misericórdes óculos
ad nos convérte.
Et Iésum, benedíctum frúctum véntris túi,
nobis, post hoc exsílium osténde.
O clémens, O pía, O dúlcis Vírgo María.]
221. When death has occurred, one or more of the following prayers may be said.
A.
Saints of God, come to his/her aid!
Come to meet him/her, angels of the Lord!
R. Receive his/her soul and present him/her to God the Most High.
May Christ, who called you, take you to himself;
may angels lead you to Abraham’s side.
R. Receive his/her soul and present him/her to God the Most High.
Give him/her eternal rest, O Lord,
and may your light shine upon him/her forever.
R. Receive his/her soul and present him/her to God the Most High.
The following prayer is added:
All-powerful and merciful God,
we commend to you, N., your servant.
In your mercy and love,
blot out the sins
he/she has committed through human weakness.
In this world he/she has died:
let him live with you for ever.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
R. Subveníte, Sancti Dei, occúrrite, Angeli Dómini,
suscipiéntes ánimam eius,
offeréntes eam in conspéctu Altíssimi.
V. Suscípiat te Christus, qui vocávit te,
et in sinum Abrahae Angeli dedúcant te.
R. Suscipiéntes ánimam ejus, Offeréntes eam in conspéctu Altíssimi.
V. Réquiem aetérnam dona ei, Dómine,
et lux perpétua lúceat ei.
R. Offeréntes eam in conspéctu Altìssimi.
Orémus.
Tibi Dómine, commendámus fámulum tuum (fámulam tuam) N.
ut defúnctus (defúncta) saéculo tibi vivat:
et quae per fragilitátem humánae conversatiónis peccáta commìsit,
tu vénia misericordìssime pietátis abstérge.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
R. Amen.]
B.
R. My soul hopes in the Lord.
Psalm 130
Out of the depths I call to you, Lord;
Lord, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication.
R. My soul hopes in the Lord.
I trust in the Lord,
my soul trusts in his word.
My soul waits for the Lord
more than sentinels wait for the dawn.
R. My soul hopes in the Lord.
For with the Lord is kindness,
with him is plenteous redemption,
And he will redeem Israel
from all their iniquities.
R. My soul hopes in the Lord.
The following prayer is added:
Let us pray.
God of love,
welcome into your presence
your son/daughter N., whom you have called from this life.
Release him/her from all his/her sins
bless him/her with eternal light and peace,
raise him/her up to live for ever with all your saints
in the glory of the resurrection.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
C.
Psalm 23
R. Lord, remember me in your kingdom.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. Lord, remember me in your kingdom.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s name.
Even when I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. Lord, remember me in your kingdom.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. Lord, remember me in your kingdom.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for years to come.
R. Lord, remember me in your kingdom.
The following prayer is added:
Let us pray.
God of mercy,
hear our prayers and be merciful
to your son/daughter N.,
whom you have called from this life.
Welcome him/her into the company of your saints,
in the kingdom of light and peace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
D.
Almighty and eternal God,
hear our prayers for your son/daughter N.
whom you have called from this life to yourself.
Grant him/her light, happiness, and peace.
Let him/her pass in safety through the gates of death,
and live forever with all your saints
in the light you promised to Abraham
and to all his descendants in faith.
Guard him/her from all harm
and on that great day of resurrection and reward
raise him/her up with all your saints.
Pardon his/her sins
and give him/her eternal life in your kingdom.
We ask this through Christ our Lord
R. Amen.
[Latin:
Te, Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens aetérne Deus,
supplices deprecámur pro anima famuli tui (ancíllæ tuæ) N.,
quem (quam) de hoc sǽculo ad te venire iussísti;
ut ei dignéris dare locum refrigérii, lucis et pacis.
Líceat ei portas mortis sine offensióne transíre
et in mansiónibus sanctórum et in luce sancta permáneat,
quam olim Abrahæ et eius sémini promisísti.
Nullam eius ánima sustíneat læsionem,
sed, cum magnus dies ille resurrectiónis
et remuneratiónis advénerit,
resuscitáre eum (eam), Dómine,
una cum sanctis et eléctis dignéris;
dimíttas ei ómnia delícta atque peccáta,
tecúmque immortalitátis vitam
et regnum consequátur æternum.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
R. Amen.]
E.
Loving and merciful God,
we entrust our brother/sister to your mercy.
You loved him/her greatly in this life:
now that he/she is freed from all its cares,
give him/her happiness and peace for ever.
The old order has passed away:
welcome him/her now into paradise
where there will be no more sorrow,
no more weeping or pain,
but only peace and joy with Jesus your Son,
and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
Tibi, Dómine, fratrem nostrum (sorórem nostram)
humíliter commendámus,
ut, quem (quam) in hac vita mortáli
imménso semper es prosecútus amóre,
nunc, a malis ómnibus liberátum (liberátam),
in réquiem íngredi iúbeas sempitérnam.
Tuam ergo cleméntiam deprecámur,
ut, quia prima iam transiérunt,
illum (illam) in paradísum tuum benígne perdúcas,
ubi neque luctus, neque clamor, neque dolor erit ultra,
sed pax et gáudium, cum Fílio tuo et Spíritu Sancto,
in sǽcula sæculórum
R. Amen.]
F.
God of our destiny,
into your hands we commend our brother/sister.
We are confident that with all who have died in Christ
he/she will be raised to life on the last day
and live with Christ forever.
(We thank you for all the blessings
you gave him/her in this life
to show your fatherly care for all of us
and the fellowship which is ours with the saints
in Jesus Christ.)
Lord, hear our prayer:
welcome our brother/sister to paradise,
and help us to comfort each other
with the assurance of our faith
until we all meet in Christ
to be with you and with our brother/sister for ever.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R.Amen.
[Latin:
In manus tuas, clementíssime Pater,
fratris nostri (soróris nostræ) ánimam commendámus,
spe certa suffúlti eum (eam), sicut omnes in Christo defúnctos,
cum Christo esse resurrectúrum (resurrectúram) in novíssimo die.
(Tibi grátias ágimus,
pro ómnibus benefíciis, quibus fámulum tuum (fámulam tuam)
in hac vita mortáli ita cumulásti,
ut éadem nobis signa tuæ fíerent bonitátis
et beátæ sanctórum communiónis in Christo.)
Páteant ergo, Dómine, précibus nostris
aures misericórdiæ tuæ,
ut portæ paradísi aperiántur fámulo tuo (fámulæ tuæ),
et étiam nos, qui relínquimur,
ínvicem consolémur in verbis fídei
donec occurrámus omnes in Christo,
et sic semper tecum
et cum fratre nostro (soróre nostra) esse possímus.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
R. Amen.]
PRAYER for the FAMILY and FRIENDS
222. One of the following prayers may be said:
A. For the family and friends
God of all consolation,
in your unending love and mercy for us
you turn the darkness of death
into the dawn of new life.
Show compassion to your people in their sorrow.
[Be our refuge and our strength
to lift us from the darkness of grief
to the peace and light of your presence.]
Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
by dying for us, conquered death
and by rising again, restored life.
May we then go forward eagerly to meet him,
and after our life on earth
be reunited with our brothers and sisters
where every tear will be wiped away.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
Misericordiárum Pater et Deus totíus consolatiónis,
qui nos ætérno amóre proséqueris,
qui umbram mortis in vitæ vertis auróram,
réspice, quæ´sumus, fámulos tuos in tribulatióne geméntes.
(Esto, Dómine, refúgium nostrum et virtus,
ut ex huius dolóris ténebris et luctu
ad præséntiæ tuæ lucem et pacem elevémur).
Et quia Fílius tuus Dóminus noster
mortem nostram moriéndo destrúxit
et vitam resurgéndo reparávit,
concéde, quǽsumus, ut ad eum sic currámus,
ut post mortális vitæ cursum,
ibi aliquándo cum frátribus adunémur,
ubi omnes lácrimæ ab óculis abstergéntur.
Qui tecum vivit et regnat in sǽcula sæculórum.
R. Amen.
B. For the deceased person and for family and friends
Lord Jesus, our Redeemer,
you willingly gave yourself up to death
so that all people might be saved
and pass from death into a new life.
Listen to our prayers;
look with love on your people
who mourn and pray for their dead brother/sister N.
Lord Jesus, you alone are holy and compassionate:
forgive N. his/her sins.
By dying you opened the gates of life
for those who believe in you;
do not let your brother/sister be parted from you,
but by your glorious power
give him/her light, joy, and peace in heaven
where you live for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
[Latin:
Dómine, Redémptor noster,
qui teípsum morti tradidísti,
ut omnes hómines salvi fíerent
et ad vitam possent de morte transire,
clementissimam pietátem tuam humílter deprecamur,
ut digneris omnes servos tuos intueri lugentes
et pro amisso propinquo suo suppliciter exorantes.
Illi omnia peccata dimitte, Domine,
qui solus es sanctus et summe misericors,
qui per mortem tuam portas vitae tuis fidelis reserasti.
Ne frratrem nostrum a te separari, Rex aterne, permittas,
sed virtute gloriae tuae locum ei lucis, beatudinis et pacis largire.
Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum.
R. Amen.]
For the solace of those present the minister may conclude these prayers with a simple blessing or with a symbolic gesture, for example, signing the forehead with the sign of the cross. A priest or deacon may sprinkle the body with holy water.