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Wedding Readings
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Funeral Prayers
Collect (Opening Prayer)
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For: Outside the Easter season - Almighty God and Father, it is our certain faith that your Son, who died on the cross, was raised from the dead, the first fruits of all who have fallen asleep. Grant that through this mystery your servant N., who has gone to his/her rest in Christ, may share in the joy of his resurrection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Outside the Easter season R. Amen.
For: Outside the Easter season - O God, to whom mercy and forgiveness belong, hear our prayers on behalf of your servant N., whom you have called out of this world; and because he/she put his/her hope and trust in you, command that he/she be carried safely home to heaven and come to enjoy your eternal reward. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. R. Amen.
For: Outside the Easter season - O God, in whom sinners find mercy and the saints find joy, we pray to you for our brother/sister N., whose body we honor with Christian burial, that he/she may be delivered from the bonds of death. Admit him/her to the joyful company of your saints and raise him/her on the last day to rejoice in your presence for ever. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. R. Amen.
For: During the Easter season - God of loving kindness, listen favorably to our prayers: strengthen our belief that your Son has risen from the dead and our hope that your servant N. will also rise again. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. R. Amen.
For: General - God of faithfulness, in your wisdom you have called your servant N. out of this world; release him/her from the bonds of sin, and welcome him/her into your presence, so that he/she may enjoy eternal light and peace and be raised up in glory with all your saints. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: General - Lord, in our grief we turn to you. Are you not the God of love who opens your ears to all? Listen to our prayers for your servant N., whom you have called out of this world: lead him/her to your kingdom of light and peace and count him/her among the saints in glory. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: General - Holy Lord, almighty and eternal God, hear our prayers for your servant N., whom you have summoned out of this world. Forgive his/her sins and failings and grant him/her a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Let him/her pass unharmed through the gates of death to dwell with the blessed in light, as you promised to Abraham and his children for ever. Accept N. into your safekeeping and on the great day of judgment raise him/her up with all the saints to inherit your eternal kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: General - Into your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brother/sister N. In this life you embraced him/her with your tender love; deliver him/her now from every evil and bid him/her enter eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome him/her then into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping nor pain, but the fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. R. Amen.
For: General - Almighty God and Father, it is our certain faith that your Son, who died on the cross, was raised from the dead, the first fruits of all who have fallen asleep. Grant that through this mystery your servant N., who has gone to his/her rest in Christ, may share in the joy of his resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: General - O God, glory of believers and life of the just, by the death and resurrection of your Son, we are redeemed: have mercy on your servant N., and make him/her worthy to share the joys of paradise, for he/she believed in the resurrection of the dead. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: General - Almighty God and Father, by the mystery of the cross, you have made us strong; by the sacrament of the resurrection you have sealed us as your own. Look kindly upon your servant N., now freed from the bonds of mortality, and count him/her among your saints in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: General - God of loving kindness, listen favorably to our prayers: strengthen our belief that your Son has risen from the dead and our hope that your servant N. will also rise again. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: General - To you, O God, the dead do not die, and in death our life is changed, not ended. Hear our prayers and command the soul of your servant N. to dwell with Abraham, your friend, and be raised at last on the great day of judgment. In your mercy cleanse him/her of any sin which he/she may have committed through human frailty. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: General - Lord God, in whom all find refuge, we appeal to your boundless mercy: grant to the soul of your servant N. a kindly welcome, cleansing of sin, release from the chains of death, and entry into everlasting life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: General - God of all consolation, open our hearts to your word, so that, listening to it, we may comfort one another, finding light in time of darkness and faith in time of doubt. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: General - O God, to whom mercy and forgiveness belong, hear our prayers on behalf of your servant N., whom you have called out of this world; and because he/she put his/her hope and trust in you, command that he/she be carried safely home to heaven and come to enjoy your eternal reward. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: General - O God, in whom sinners find mercy and the saints find joy, we pray to you for our brother/sister N., whose body we honor with Christian burial, that he/she may be delivered from the bonds of death. Admit him/her to the joyful company of your saints and raise him/her on the last day to rejoice in your presence for ever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A priest - God of mercy and love, grant to N., your servant and priest, a glorious place at your heavenly table, for you made him here on earth a faithful minister of your word and sacrament. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A priest - O God, listen favorably to our prayers offered on behalf of your servant and priest, and grant that N., who committed himself zealously to the service of your name, may rejoice for ever in the company of your saints. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A deacon - Lord God, you chose our brother N. to serve your people as a priest and to share the joys and burdens of their lives. Look with mercy on him and give him the reward of his labors, the fullness of life promised to those who preach your holy Gospel. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A deacon - God of mercy, as once you chose seven men of honest repute to serve your Church, so also you chose N. as your servant and deacon. Grant that he may rejoice in your eternal fellowship with all the heralds of your Gospel, for he was untiring in his ministry here on earth. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A deacon - Lord God, you sent your Son into the world to preach the Good News of salvation and to pour out his Spirit of grace upon your Church. Look with kindness on your servant N. As a deacon in the Church he was strengthened by the gift of the Spirit to preach the Good News, to minister in your assembly, and to do the works of charity. Give him the reward promised to those who show their love of you by service to their neighbor. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A religious - All-powerful God, we pray for our brother/sister N., who responded to the call of Christ and pursued wholeheartedly the ways of perfect love. Grant that he/she may rejoice on that day when your glory will be revealed and in company with all his/her brothers and sisters share for ever the happiness of your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A religous - God of blessings, source of all holiness, the voice of your Spirit has drawn countless men and women to follow Jesus Christ and to bind themselves to you with ready will and loving heart. Look with mercy on N. who sought to fulfill his/her vows to you, and grant him/her the reward promised to all good and faithful servants. May he/she rejoice in the company of the saints and with them praise you for ever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: One who worked in the service of the Gospel - Faithful God, we humbly ask your mercy for your servant N., who worked so generously to spread the Good News: grant him/her the reward of his/her labors and bring him/her safely to your promised land. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A baptized child - Lord, in our grief we call upon your mercy: open your ears to our prayers, and one day unite us again with N., who, we firmly trust, already enjoys eternal life in your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A baptized child - To you, O Lord, we humbly entrust this child, so precious in your sight. Take him/her into your arms and welcome him/her into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping nor pain, but the fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. R. Amen.
For: A young person - Lord, your wisdom governs the length of our days. We mourn the loss of N., whose life has passed so quickly, and we entrust him/her to your mercy. Welcome him/her into your heavenly dwelling and grant him/her the happiness of everlasting youth. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A young person - Lord God, source and destiny of our lives, in your loving providence you gave us N. to grow in wisdom, age, and grace. Now you have called him/her to yourself. As we grieve the loss of one so young, we seek to understand your purpose. Draw him/her to yourself and give him/her full stature in Christ. May he/she stand with all the angels and saints, who know your love and praise your saving will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: Parents - Lord God, who commanded us to honor father and mother, look kindly upon your servants N. and N., have mercy upon them and let us see them again in eternal light. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A parent - God of our ancestors in faith, by the covenant made on Mount Sinai you taught your people to strengthen the bonds of family through faith, honor, and love. Look kindly upon N., a father/mother who sought to bind his/her children to you. Bring him/her one day to our heavenly home where the saints dwell in blessedness and peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A married couple - Lord God, whose covenant is everlasting, have mercy upon the sins of your servants N. and N.; as their love for each other united them on earth, so let your love join them together in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A married couple - Eternal Father, in the beginning you established the love of man and woman as a sign of creation. Your own Son loves the Church as a spouse. Grant mercy and peace to N. and N. who, by their love for each other, were signs of the creative love which binds the Church to Christ. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A married couple - Lord God, giver of all that is true and lovely and gracious, you created in marriage a sign of your covenant. Look with mercy upon N. and N. You blessed them in their companionship, and in their joys and sorrows you bound them together. Lead them into eternal peace, and bring them to the table where the saints feast together in your heavenly home. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A wife - Eternal God, you made the union of man and woman a sign of the bond between Christ and the Church. Grant mercy and peace to N., who was united in love with her husband. May the care and devotion of her life on earth find a lasting reward in heaven. Look kindly on her husband and family/children as now they turn to your compassion and love. Strengthen their faith and lighten their loss. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A husband - Eternal God, you made the union of man and woman a sign of the bond between Christ and the Church. Grant mercy and peace to N., who was united in love with his wife. May the care and devotion of his life on earth find a lasting reward in heaven. Look kindly on his wife and family/children as now they turn to your compassion and love. Strengthen their faith and lighten their loss. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: A deceased non-Christian married to a Catholic - Almighty and faithful Creator, all things are of your making, all people are shaped in your image. We now entrust the soul of N. to your goodness. In your infinite wisdom and power, work in him/her your merciful purpose, known to you alone from the beginning of time. Console the hearts of those who love him/her in the hope that all who trust in you will find peace and rest in your kingdom. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R. Amen.
For: An elderly person - God of endless ages, from one generation to the next you have been our refuge and strength. Before the mountains were bom or the earth came to be, you are God. Have mercy now on your servant N. whose long life was spent in your service. Give him/her a place in your kingdom, where hope is firm for all who love and rest is sure for all who serve. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: An elderly person - God of mercy, look kindly on your servant N. who has set down the burden of his/her years. As he/she served you faithfully throughout his/her life, may you give him/her the fullness of your peace and joy. We give thanks for the long life of N., now caught up in your eternal love. We make our prayer in the name of Jesus who is our risen Lord now and for ever. R. Amen.
For: One who died after a long illness - God of deliverance, you called our brother/sister N. to serve you in weakness and pain, and gave him/her the grace of sharing the cross of your Son. Reward his/her patience and forbearance, and grant him/her the fullness of Christs victory. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: One who died after a long illness - Most faithful God, lively is the courage of those who hope in you. Your servant N. suffered greatly but placed his/her trust in your mercy. Confident that the petition of those who mourn pierces the clouds and finds an answer, we beg you, give rest to N. Do not remember his/her sins but look upon his/her sufferings and grant him/her refreshment, light, and peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: One who died after a long illness - O God, you are water for our thirst and manna in our desert. We praise you for the life of N. and bless your mercy that has brought his/her suffering to an end. Now we beg that same endless mercy to raise him/her to new life. Nourished by the food and drink of heaven, may he/she rest for ever in the joy of Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: One who died suddenly - Lord, as we mourn the sudden death of our brother/sister, show us the immense power of your goodness and strengthen our belief that N. has entered into your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: One who died accidentally or violently - Lord our God, you are always faithful and quick to show mercy. Our brother/sister N. was suddenly [and violently] taken from us. Come swiftly to his/her aid, have mercy on him/her, and comfort his/her family and friends by the power and protection of the cross. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: One who died by suicide - God, lover of souls, you hold dear what you have made and spare all things, for they are yours. Look gently on your servant N., and by the blood of the cross forgive his/her sins and failings. Remember the faith of those who mourn and satisfy their longing for that day when all will be made new again in Christ, our risen Lord, who lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. R. Amen.
For: One who died by suicide - Almighty God and Father of all, you strengthen us by the mystery of the cross and with the sacrament of your Son’s resurrection. Have mercy on our brother/sister N. Forgive all his/her sins and grant him/her peace. May we who mourn this sudden death be comforted and consoled by your power and protection. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: Several persons - O Lord, you gave new life to N. and N. in the waters of baptism; show mercy to them now, and bring them to the happiness of life in your kingdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
For: Several persons - All-powerful God, whose mercy is never withheld from those who call upon you in hope, look kindly on your servants N. and N., who departed this life confessing your name, and number them among your saints for evermore. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
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Prayer over the Offerings
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Lord, receive the gifts we offer for the salvation of N. May Christ be merciful in judging our brother (sister) N. for he (she) believed in Christ as his (her) Lord and Savior. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Lord, accept this sacrifice we offer for our brother (sister) N. on the day of his (her) burial. May your love cleanse him (her) from his (her) human weakness and forgive any sins he (she) may have committed. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Lord, we are united in this sacrament by the love of Jesus Christ. Accept these gifts and receive our brother (sister) N. into the glory of your Son, who is Lord for ever and ever. R. Amen.
All-powerful Father, may this sacrifice wash away the sins of our brother (sister) N. in the blood of Christ. You cleansed him (her) in the waters of baptism. In your loving mercy grant him (her) pardon and peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
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Preface
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Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. In him, who rose from the dead, our hope of resurrection dawned. The sadness of death gives way to the bright promise of immortality. Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not ended. When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven. And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise: Holy, holy, holy...
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. He chose to die that he might free all men from dying. He gave his life that we might live to you alone for ever. In our joy we sing to your glory with all the choirs of angels: Holy, holy, holy...
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. In him the world is saved, man is reborn, and the dead rise again to life. Through Christ the angels of heaven offer their prayer of adoration as they rejoice in your presence for ever. May our voices be one with theirs in their triumphant hymn of praise: Holy, holy, holy...
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks. By your power you bring us to birth. By your providence you rule our lives. By your command you free us at last from sin as we return to the dust from which we came. Through the saving death of your Son we rise at your word to the glory of resurrection. Now we join the angels and the saints as they sing their unending hymn of praise: Holy, holy, holy...
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. Death is the just reward for our sins, yet, when at last we die, your loving kindness calls us back to life in company with Christ, whose victory is our redemption. Our hearts are joyful, for we have seen your salvation, and now with the angels and saints we praise you for ever: Holy, holy, holy...
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Prayer After Communion
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Lord God, your Son Jesus Christ gave us the sacrament of his body and blood to guide us on our pilgrim way to your kingdom. May our brother (sister) N., who shared in the eucharist, come to the banquet of life Christ has prepared for us. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Father, all-powerful God, we pray for our brother (sister) N. whom you have called (today) from this world. May this eucharist cleanse him (her), forgive his (her) sins, and raise him (her) up to eternal joy in your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Lord God, may the death and resurrection of Christ which we celebrate in this eucharist bring our brother (sister) N. the peace of your eternal home. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R. Amen.
Lord, in this sacrament you give us your crucified and risen Son. Bring to the glory of the resurrection our brother (sister) N. who has been purified by this holy mystery. Grant this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
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Invitation to Prayer
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Before we go our separate ways, let us take leave of our brother/sister. May our farewell express our affection for him/her; may it ease our sadness and strengthen our hope. One day we shall joyfully greet him/her again when the love of Christ, which conquers all things, destroys even death itself.
Trusting in God, we have prayed together for N. and now we come to the last farewell. There is sadness in parting, but we take comfort in the hope that one day we shall see N. again and enjoy his/her friendship. Although this congregation will disperse in sorrow, the mercy of God will gather us together again in the joy of his kingdom. Therefore let us console one another in the faith of Jesus Christ.
With faith in Jesus Christ, we must reverently bury the body of our brother/sister. Let us pray with confidence to God, in whose sight all creation lives, that he will raise up in holiness and power the mortal body of our brother/sister and command his/her soul to be numbered among the blessed. May God grant him/her a merciful judgment, deliverance from death, and pardon of sin. May Christ the Good Shepherd carry him/her home to be at peace with the Father. May he/she rejoice for ever in the presence of the eternal King and in the company of all the saints.
Our brother/sister N. has fallen asleep in Christ. Confident in our hope of eternal life, let us commend him/her to the loving mercy of our Father and let our prayers go with him/her. He/she was adopted as God’s son/daughter in baptism and was nourished at the table of the Lord; may he/she now inherit the promise of eternal life and take his/her place at the table of God’s children in heaven. Let us pray also on our own behalf, that we who now mourn and are saddened may one day go forth with our brother/sister to meet the Lord of life when he appears in glory.
Because God has chosen to call our brother/sister N. from this life to himself, we commit his/her body to the earth, for we are dust and unto dust we shall return. But the Lord Jesus Christ will change our mortal bodies to be like his in glory, for he is risen, the firstborn from the dead. So let us commend our brother/sister to the Lord, that the Lord may embrace him/her in peace and raise up his/her body on the last day.
Before we go our separate ways, let us take leave of our brother/sister. May our farewell express our affection for him/her; may it ease our sadness and strengthen our hope. One day we shall joyfully greet him/her again when the love of Christ, which con- quers all things, destroys even death itself.
Trusting in God, we have prayed together for N. and now we come to the last farewell. There is sadness in parting, but we take comfort in the hope that one day we shall see N. again and enjoy his/her friendship. Although this congregation will disperse in sorrow, the mercy of God will gather us together again in the joy of the kingdom. Therefore let us console one another in the faith of Jesus Christ.
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Final Commendation
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Into your hands, Father of mercies, we commend our brother/sister N. in the sure and certain hope that, together with all who have died in Christ, he/she will rise with him on the last day. [We give you thanks for the blessings which you bestowed upon N. in this life: they are signs to us of your goodness and of our fellowship with the saints in Christ.] Merciful Lord, turn toward us and listen to our prayers: open the gates of paradise to your servant and help us who remain to comfort one another with assurances of faith, until we all meet in Christ and are with you and with our brother/sister for ever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
To you, O Lord, we commend the soul of N. your servant; in the sight of this world he/she is now dead; in your sight may he/she live for ever. Forgive whatever sins he/she committed through human weakness and in your goodness grant him/her everlasting peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Into your hands, Father of mercies, we commend our brother/sister N. in the sure and certain hope that, together with all who have died in Christ, he/she will rise with him on the last day. [We give you thanks for the blessings which you bestowed upon N. in this life: they are signs to us of your goodness and of our fellowship with the saints in Christ.] Merciful Lord, turn toward us and listen to our prayers: open the gates of paradise to your servant and help us who remain to comfort one another with assurances of faith, until we all meet in Christ and are with you and with our brother/sister for ever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
Lord Jesus, like a shepherd who gathers the lambs to protect them from all harm, you led N. to the waters of baptism and shielded him/her in innocence. Now carry this little one on the path to your kingdom of light where he/she will find happiness and every tear will be wiped away. To you be glory, now and for ever. R. Amen.
Into your gentle keeping, O Lord, we commend this child N.. Though our hearts are troubled, we hope in your loving kindness. By the sign of the cross he/she was claimed for Christ, and in the waters of baptism he/she died with Christ to live in him for ever. May the angels, our guardians, lead N. now to paradise where your saints will welcome him/her and every tear will be wiped away. There we shall join in songs of praise for ever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
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