Prayers
23rd Psalm
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
121 Psalm
I will lift mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Adieu
Adieu, beloved children and relatives, all of you who have known me. I beseech you not to forget me in your prayers. I died, but not my friendship, I shall love you in heaven as I have loved you on earth. Do not let grief overwhelm you, think of the life I begin and not that which is ended. I am waiting for you in heaven. Rejoice with me that I leave this world of suffering to enter the world of peace. Merciful Jesus, give him eternal rest.
Afterglow
I’d like the memory of me
to be a happy one,
I’d like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo
Whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing
times and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who
Grieve, to dry before the sun
Of happy memories that I leave
When life is done.
Alleluia
With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the souls of Thy servants, where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life lasting.
Thou only art immortal, which hast created and fashioned man. For out of the earth were we mortal made, and unto the earth shall we return. Whether, also, all we mortals wend our way, making of our funeral dirge the song:
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Irish Blessing
May the road rise with you,
May the wind be always
at your back,
May the sun shine warm
upon your face,
And rain fall soft
upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God keep you in the hollow of His Hand.
Around the Corner
Just around the corner
A little out of sight Our loved one walked ahead
Into Eternal Light
Just around the corner
There is a brighter view,
Where many other loved ones At last can see God too.
And though our work’s not finished here,
Just know God hears our prayer Some day just around the corner, we’ll find our loved one there.
Patriot’s Epitaph
Soft and safe be the resting place
of our Patriot.
Bright and glorious be his
rising from it.
Fragrant be the flowers that
shall flourish here.
May the earliest buds of spring
unfold their beauty in
perennial loveliness.
And, in the bright morning of the
world’s resurrection, may his soul spring into newness of life
and expand into immortal beauty in
realms beyond the skies.
Until then, dear friend and Patriot,
until them, farewell.
As I sit in heaven
As I sit in heaven
And watch you every day
I try to let you know with signs
I never went away
I hear you when you’re laughing
And watch you as you sleep
I even place my arms around you
To calm you as you weep
I see you wish the days away
Begging to have me home
So I try to send you signs
So you know you are not alone
Don’t feel guilty that you have
Life that was denied to me
Heaven is truly beautiful
Just you wait and see
So live your life, laugh again
Enjoy yourself, be free
Then I know with every breath you take
You’ll be taking one for me.
Beside Your Bedside
We sat beside your bedside,
Our hearts were crushed and sore,
We did our best to the end,
Til we could do no more.
In tears we watched you sinking
We watched you fade away.
And Though our hearts were breaking
We knew you could not stay.
You left behind some aching hearts,
That loved you most sincere;
We never shall and never will ever
Forget you mother dear.
Blue Skies
God hath not promised skies always blue, Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through, God hath not promised sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, Peace without pain, But God hath promised strength for the day, Rest for the labor, light for the way Grace for the trials, help from above, Unfailing sympathy and undying love…
COME TO ME AND REST
“Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.”
Breathe on me
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Fill me with life anew
That I may Love the things you love.
Breathe on me, breath of God
Until my heart is pure,
Until with you I have one will
To live and to endure.
Breathe on me, breath of God
My soul with grace refine
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with your fire divine.
Breathe on me, breath of God
So I shall never die
But live with you the perfect life
In your eternity
Cardinal Newman
May he support us all the day long
Till the shades lengthen
And the evening comes
And the busy world is hushed
And the fever of life is over
And our work is done.
Then in His Mercy…
May He give us a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at last.
Christ Have Mercy
With the spirits of the righteous made perfect, give rest to the soul of Thy servant, O Saviour; and preserve it in that life of blessedness which is with thee, O thou who lovest mankind.
In the place of Thy rest, O Lord, where all the Saints repose, give rest also to the soul of Thy servant for Thou only lovest mankind.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Thou art God, who descended into Hell, and loosened the bonds of those who were there, Thyself give rest also to the soul of Thy servant Now and ever unto ages of ages.
Footsteps
God sees when the footsteps
all falter
When the pathway has grown
too steep,
Then He touches the weary eyelids
And gives His dear ones sleep.
Crossing the Bar
Sunset and evening star, And one clear call from me! And may there be no moaning of the bar when I put out to sea. But such a tide as moving seems asleep, too full for sound and foam, when that which drew from out the boundless deep. Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, when I embark; For tho from out our bourne of Time and place. The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face when I have crossed the bar.
Days without end
GOD, Your days are without end,
Your mercies beyond counting. Help
us always to remember that life is short and the day of our death is
known to You alone.
May Your Holy Spirit lead us to
live in holiness and justice all our
days.
Then, after serving You in the
fellowship of Your Church, with
strong faith, consoling hope, and
perfect love for all, may we joyfully come to Your Kingdom.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
Do Not Cry
Do not cry, I have gone to God. I will wait for you in Heaven where the family will be gathered and the tears will be dried. You whom I loved so much on earth pray for me, live always in a manner so that we may be together in Heaven. Rejoice with me who leave this earth of sorrow to go and prepare a peaceful place for you. Death has separated us, but the memory and the prayers will unite us again. Heart of Jesus be my love. Heart of Mary be my salvation. Goodbye, my loved ones, see you all in Heaven.
Do Not Stand
Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am the warm soft winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. When you awake in the morning’s hush
I am the soft uplifting rush, Of lovely birds in circled flight I am the stars that shine at night. I am the sky, the sand, the sea. I am the clouds forever free. Do not stand at my grave and cry I am not there, I did not die.
Ecclesiastes
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven~
A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing. A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace.
A FIREFIGHTER’S PRAYER
When I am called to duty, God
Wherever flames may rage,
Give me strength to save some life
Whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child
Before it is too late
Or save an older person from
The horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert
And hear the weakest shout
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling and
To give the best in me,
To guard my every neighbor
And protect his property.
And if according to my fate
I am to lose my life,
Please bless with your protecting hand
My children and my wife.
Foot Prints
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each, I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints; other times there was only one.
During the lowest times of my life I could see only one set of footprints, so I said, “Lord, you promised me, that you would walk with me always. Why, when I have needed you most, would you leave me?”
The Lord replied, “My precious child, I love you and would never leave you. The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
Forever Love
A Warm Presence with an Ever Open Hand. Always in reach when needed for; Comfort. Joy.
Or just plain Conversation Gesture.
A Hand that was Forever Giving,
Always guiding. Eyes that held a Twinkle Stern, yet Encouraging
Love was ever-existing
In that light A Soul who was
Overflowing with infinite understanding,
Who Accepted Imperfections and
Nourished Strengths
In every action was silent strength
After striving so hard
Her wings have now blossomed
And she’s flown home
But her eyes will be forever watching
As stars after sunset
J.M.S.
Garden
God looked around his garden and found an empty place. He then looked down upon the earth, And saw your tired face. He put His arms around you, And lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best. He knew you were suffering, He knew that you were in pain. He knew that you would never, Get well on earth again. He saw the road was getting rough, And the hills were hard to climb, So He closed your weary eyelids, And whispered, “Peace be thine.” It broke our hearts to lose you, But you didn’t go alone, For part of us went with you, The day God called you home.
God saw you getting Tired
God saw you were getting tired, and a cure was not to be, so he put His arms around you and whispered , “Come with me.” With tearful eyes we watched you fade away Although we loved you dearly; We could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating Hard-working hands to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us That he only takes the best! It’s lonely here without you. We miss you more each day. Life doesn’t seem the same, since you went away. When days are sad and lonely, And everything goes wrong, We seem to hear you whisper, “cheer up and carry on.” Each time we see your picture, You seem to smile and say, “Don’t cry, I’m in God’s hands, we’ll meet again someday!
God the Giver
“Blessed are they that mourn
For they shall be comforted.”
St. Matthew, Verse 5
O God, the giver of pardon and lover
of human salvation, have mercy on
your servant who has departed from
this world. May the intercession of
the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, and
all your Saints assist this soul in
attaining eternal happiness.
May the souls of all the faithful
Departed, through the mercy of God
Rest in peace.
Amen
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with thee: blessed
art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy
Womb Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners now,
And at the hour of our death
Amen
The Hand of God:
Though today, you walk in sorrow
You will not be alone
There is One whose loving wisdom
Is far greater than our own
Put your trusting hand in His
As a little child would do
And He like a loving father
Will guide and comfort you!
Day by day, there will come to you
New Faith, new hope, new light
You’ll find that stars unseen by day
Shine through the darkest night
And though your heart is longing
For the dear one who’s at rest
You’ll know before the journey’s end
That God’s dear ways are best!
Jessie Home Fairweather
Hope is not pretending
Hope is not pretending
that troubles don’t exist…
It is the trust
That they will not last forever
That hurts will be healed
And difficulties overcome…
It is faith
That a source of strength
And renewal lies within
To lead us
Through the dark
To the sunshine.
I SAID A PRAYER
I said a prayer for you today
And know God must have heard –
I felt the answer in my heart
Although He spoke no word!
I didn’t ask for wealth or fame
(I knew you wouldn’t mind) –
I asked that He’d be near you
At the start of each new day
To grant you health and blessings
And friends to share your way!
I asked for happiness for you
In all things great and small –
But it was for His loving care
I prayed the most of all!
I’m Free
Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free. I’m following the path God laid for me. I took God’s hand when I heard the call; I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day to laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way, I found that place at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss. Ah yes, these things I too, will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much, good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief; don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me-
God wanted me now,
God set me free.
Irish Blessing
May the road rise with you,
May the wind be always
at your back,
May the sun shine warm
upon your face,
And rain fall soft
upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God keep you in the hollow of His Hand.
JESUS BLESSES LITTLE CHILDREN
Some people brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and to pray for them, but the disciples scolded the people. Jesus said, “let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” He placed his hands on them and went away.
John 8:12
I am the Light of
The World, he
who follows ME
Will not walk in
Darkness, but will
Have the light of
Life.
John 8:12
John 14
Let not your hearts be troubled;
Believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go and prepare a place for you?
And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Laborer’s Task Over
Now the laborer’s task is over;
Now the battle day is past;
Now upon the farther shore
Lands the voyager at last.
Father, in Thy gracious keeping
Leave we now thy servant sleeping.
—-John Ellerton
Leaf after Leaf
Leaf after leaf
Flower after flower
Some in the dawn of day
Some in the after hour.
Alive they flourish,
And alive they fall
And the earth that sustained them
Receives them in fall.
Let It Rain
The time is now, it all makes sense.
The years gone by that I wasted.
I can’t believe that I was blind,
I’m leaving that life behind.
The time is now, this is me,
The love of God, the true belief.
This is me, I’ll never change.
This is me, I’ll never change.
O God I’m falling on my knees.
Lord God I’m here, I’m beggin please.
The time is now, It’s all so clear,
With God there’s no reason to fear.
I can’t believe that I was blind.
I’m leaving that old life behind.
The time is now it all makes sense,
All the years that I wasted.
Lord I know that you forgive.
I’m thankful that I can live.
And doing right and doing good
And doing what I know I should.
Now that’s my theme, I sing it loud.
I’m filled with love and I am proud.
That’s who I am and I won’t change
Poor out your love and let it rain.
Lyrics by Dan Cecere, April 2006
Let Us Pray
Almighty God, through the death of Your Son on the cross, you have overcome death for us. Through his burial and resurrection from the dead you have made the grave a holy place and restored to us eternal life. We pray for those who died believing in Jesus and are buried with him in the hope of rising again. God of the living and the dead, may those who faithfully believed in you on earth praise you forever in the joy of heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Life Is A Gift
We never know when
our name will be
called and our fast
running time will
end and our journey
to heaven will begin.
Enjoy every fragile
bone china precious
moment. And every
life given breath that
you take; Thank God
Jamie P. Eichelberger
Life is Eternal
“Life is eternal,” the good Lord said,
So do not think of your loved one dead-
For death is only a stepping stone
To a beautiful life we have never known,
A place where God promised man he
would be
Eternally happy and safe and free,
A wonderful land where we live anew
When our journey on earth is over and
through-
So trust in God and doubt Him never
For all who love Him live forever,
And while we cannot understand
Just let the Savior take your hand,
For when death’s angel comes to call,
God is so great and we’re so small. . .
And there is nothing you need fear
For faith in God makes all things clear
Lord Support Us
Lord, support us all day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done Then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last
Amen
Loved Her
Father we entrust our sister to Your Mercy.
You loved her greatly in this life:
Now she is freed from all its cares,
Give her happiness and Peace forever.
Welcome 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.
Amen.
Loved Him
Father we entrust our brother to
Your Mercy.
You loved him greatly in this life:
Now he is freed from all its cares,
Give him happiness and Peace forever.
Welcome him 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 forever and ever.
Amen.
Memorare
Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary that never was it known that anyone who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help, and sought Thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of virgins.
My Mother! To Thee I come; before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. Oh Mother of thy Word incarnated despise not my petitions, but, in Thy mercy, hear and answer me.
Amen
Music
Music has moments of rapturous sound and intervals of rest.
It thrills the heart
with its majesty
And soothes it when suppressed.
Life too has ringing,
throbbing tones
And muted, silent keys,
Yet both are merged
at the Master’s touch
Into living symphonies.
Florence Emeline Wright
Children
Love one another,
my dear children!
Seek rather what unites,
Not what may separate you
From one another.
As I take leave, or better still,
As I say “til we meet again”
Let me remind you of the
Most important things in life:
Our blessed Savior Jesus:
His good news;
His holy Church; truth
And kindness. . .
I shall remember you all
And pray for you.
My Prayer for You
May God give you the strength to put up a fight. May God give you the courage to continue your plight. May God give you hope and a hand each and every day. For all of these things I pray.
May God give you the guidance of his hand, When you want to know how or why. May God help you keep faith when you don’t understand, When you want to give up and cry.
God feel the pain beneath your tears. He may at times seem distant, but he’s oh so near. You are his child to him you are dear.
I pray he will answer your prayers.
Never Be Forgotten
I’ll always see your face
The corner of your smile
And all the little things that no one will ever know.
Like it was yesterday, won’t ever fade away. Goodbye is just a word that I will never say
I can’t hold your hand
Or look into your eyes
And when I talk to you
It just echoes in my mind
But If hearts are made of dust
And if we fell from the stars
I look up tonight and know just where you are.
You will never be forgotten.
A million days could pass us by.
But what is time but just a dream.
Oh I still feel you here with me. You’re more than a memory.
Oh you will never be forgotten.
And the world just keeps on going
It has no way of knowing
That you’re gone.
O Faithful Departed
O, God,
The creator and redeemer
Of all the faithful grant to the souls
Of Thy servants departed
The remission of all their sins:
That through pious supplications
They may obtain the pardon
Which they have always desired
Who livest and reignest
World without end. Amen.
O Gentlest Heart
O Gentlest Heart of Jesus ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory have mercy on the soul of Thy departed servant. Be not severe in Thy judgment but let some drops of Thy Precious Blood fall upon the devouring flames and do Thou O Merciful Savior send Thy angels to conduct Thy departed servant to a place of refreshment light and peace.
May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God Rest in Peace. Amen
AN OFFERING TO MARY
Here are my prayers, Mary
You do the rest
Where they are needed
You will know best.
Don’t bother saving a merit or two
Use them all, Mary,
I give them to you. It’s the only way, Mary, That I can see.
For repaying my thanks
For the grace you gave me.
I give them to you without any strings,
Pass them to Jesus
As your offerings,
So take my prayers, Mary
Add all that I do,
With my heart in the Center,
I give them to you.
O Mary Conceived Without Sin
Pray for us Who have
Recourse to Thee.
ONLY A THOUGHT AWAY
You think you’ve really lost them,
You think they’ve gone to stay.
What would you say if I told you
They are only a thought away.
Though parting was such sorrow
Heaviness on your heart does lay,
But they still keep one eye upon you,
They are only a thought away.
They’ve gone on to a greater service,
Now walk in God’s holy way
But they still keep one eye upon you,
Being helpful in any way they may.
When you’re feeling lost and lonely,
Your attitude being one of dismay,
Be still, you’ll feel their presence,
For they are only a thought away.
The day will come when you join them.
When you’re finished and go to stay,
Until then, best live in the present
For they would want it that way.
Our Father
Our Father who art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done
On Earth as it is in Heaven
Give us this day our daily Bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass
Against us, and lead us not into
Temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Poem for the Living
When I am dead, cry for me a little,
Think of me sometimes, but not too Much, It is not good for you to allow Your thoughts to dwell too long on the Dead. Think of me now and again as I Was in life at some moment in which it Is pleasant to recall. But not too long. Leave me in peace as I shall leave you, Too, in peace. While you live, let your Thoughts be with the living.
A Policeman’s Prayer
Dear Lord, be with me on my beat this day and every day. Grant that each weary block I walk, may ease a brothers way. Let me be kindly to the old and to the young, be strong~ But let me triumph over those whose acts are cruel and wrong. And if according to your plan, I am to lose my life, Please bless with your protecting hand my children and my wife.
Prayer for our Creator
O God,
The Creator and Redeemer
Of all the Fathful,
Grant to the Souls
Of Thy Servants departed
The remission of all their sins;
That through pious supplications
They may obtain the pardon
Which they have always desired
Who livest and reignest
World without end. Amen
Priest Prayer
O God, who amongst Thy Apostolic priests has raised up Thy servant, to the dignity of a priest, grant, we beseech Thee, that He may also be admitted in heaven to their everlasting fellowship, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen
Remembrance (Man)
You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile because he has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that he’ll come back, or you can open your eyes and see he has left. Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him, or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember him and only that he’s gone, or you can cherish his memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what he’d want, smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
The Prayer of St. Francis
Lord make me an instrument of your peace … Where there is hatred, let me sow love… Where there is injury, pardon … Where there is doubt, faith … Where there is despair, hope …Where there is darkness, light and
Where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console … to be understood as to understand … to be loved as to love … for it is in giving that we receive … it is in pardoning that we are pardoned and in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Prayer to St. Patrick
O great Apostle of Ireland,
Glorious St. Patrick, to whom under God, so many are indebted for the most precious of all treasures, the great gift of Faith, receive our fervent thanks for the zeal and charity which have been to thousands the source of blessings so invaluable.
Ask for all who dwell in this land and the land of thy labors, the precious light of Faith, and beg for us on whom its glorious rays have long since beamed, the grace to regulate our lives by its sacred maxims.
St. Ambrose
We have loved them
during life, let us not
abandon them until
we have conducted
them by our prayers
into the house of
the Lord.
Prayer to St. Rita
O God, in your infinite mercy you looked with love on your faithful servant Rita and granted through her intercession that which is beyond the power of mankind and the wisdom of this world. Through that love which bound St. Rita to you turn to us in mercy and aid us in our difficulties.
Grant that all may come to know that you alone are the reward of the humble, the protection of the abandoned, and the strength of all those who trust in you.
Prayer of St. Gertrude
The great dictated by our Lord to release 1,000 souls from Purgatory each time it is said:
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.
Prayer to St. Jude
St. Jude, glorious Apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the person has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the true Church invokes you universally as the Patron of things despaired of; pray for me, who am so miserable; pray for me, that finally I may receive the consolations and the succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, particularly (request), and that I may bless God with the Elect throughout Eternity.
Prayer to St. Peregrine
O great St. Peregrine, you who have been called “The Mighty,” “The Wonder-Worker” because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you, you who for so many years bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more; you who were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction, ask of God and Our Lady, the cure of these sick persons whom we entrust to you.
Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy. Amen
Precious Gift
One gift, above all others
God gives to us to treasure
One that knows no time, no place
And one gold cannot measure
The Precious, poignant, tender gift
Of Memory – – – that will keep
Our dear ones ever in our hearts
Although God gives them sleep.
It brings back long remembered things
A Song, a word, a smile
And our world’s a better place
– – – because
We had them for awhile!
Jessie H. Fairweather
Remember Me
Remember me when flowers bloom
Early in the spring.
Remember me on sunny days
in the fun that summer brings.
Remember me in the fall
As you walk through leaves of gold
And in the wintertime-remember me
In the stories that are told.
But most of all remember
Each day right from the start
I will be forever near
For I live within your heart.
Resurrection
Most merciful Father, we commend our departed into your hands. We are filled with the sure hope that our departed will rise again on the Last Day with all who have died in Christ. We thank you for all the good things you have given during our departed’s earthly life.
O Father, in your great mercy, accept our prayer that the Gates of Paradise may be opened for your servant. In our turn, may we too be comforted by the words of faith until we greet Christ in glory and are united with you
and our departed.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen
Romans 14: 7-8
None of us lives unto himself, and none of us dies to himself.
If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then whether we live or whether we die,
we are the Lord’s.
Roman Ritual
May The Angels lead you into
Paradise, may the Martyrs receive
You at your coming, and take you
To Jerusalem the holy city.
May the choirs of the Angels
Receive you, and may you with the once poor Lazarus, have rest
Ever lasting. Amen.
May the Souls of all the
Faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace
Safely Home
I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light
All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.
And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread,
And with Jesus’ arm to lean on
Could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still;
Try to look beyond earth’s shadows,
Pray to trust our Father’s Will.
When your work is all completed,
He will gently call you home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come
Serenity
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I
cannot change, the courage
to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the
difference.
SPEAK TO US OF DEATH
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
Kahil Gibran
St. Anthony
O glorious St. Anthony, safe refuge of the afflicted and distressed, who by miraculous revelation has directed all those who seek aid to come to Thy altar with the promise that whoever visits it for nine consecutive Tuesdays, and there piously invokes thee, will feel the power of the intercession. I, a poor sinner, encouraged by this promise, come to thee. O powerful Saint, and with a firm hope I implore thy aid, thy protection, thy counsel and thy blessing. Obtain for me, I beseech thee my request in this necessity. But if it should be opposed to the Will of God and the welfare of my soul, obtain for me such other graces as shall be conducive to my salvation. Thru Christ our Lord.
St. Theresa
O little flower of Jesus
Ever consoling troubled souls
with Heavenly Graces,
In your unfailing intercession
I place my confident trust.
From the Heart of our Blessed
Savior petition these Blessings
of which I stand in greatest need.
Shower upon me your promised Roses of Virtue and Grace, dear
St. Therese, so that swiftly
advancing in sanctity and in
perfect love of neighbor, I may someday receive the
Crown of Life Eternal.
Amen
St. Pucci (Her)
We seem to give Her back to you, O Lord, who gave Her to us. Yet as You did not lose Her in giving, so we do not lose Her by His return. Not as the world gives, do you give O Lover of souls. What you give you do not take away, for what is yours is ours also if we are Yours. And life is eternal and love is immortal and death is only an horizon and an horizon is nothing but the limit of our sight. Lift us up, strong son of God that we may see further, cleanse our eyes that we may see more clearly, draw us closer to yourself that we may know ourselves to be nearer to our loved ones who are with you. And while you prepare a place for us, prepare us also for that happy place that where you are we may be also.
Prayer to St. Sebastian
Dear Commander at the Roman Emperor’s court, you chose to be also a soldier of Christ and dared to spread faith in the King of Kings, for which you were condemned to die. Your body, however, proved athletically strong and the executing arrows extremely weak. So another means to kill you was chosen and you gave your life to the Lord. May athletes be always as strong in their faith as their Patron Saint so clearly has been. Amen.
St. Therese
O little flower of Jesus,
Ever consoling troubled souls
With Heavenly Graces,
In your unfailing intercession
I place my confident trust.
From the Heart of our Blessed
Savior petition these Blessings
of which I stand in greatest need.
Shower upon me your promised Roses of Virtue and Grace, dear
St. Therese, so that swiftly advancing in sanctity and in perfect love of neighbor, I may someday receive the
Crown of Life Eternal.
Amen.
Sunny Skies
All sunny skies would be
too bright,
All morning hours mean
too much light,
All laughing days too gay a strain;
There must be clouds,
and night, and rain, And shut-in days, to make us see The beauty of life’s tapestry.
Taps
Day is done, gone the sun
From the lake, from the hill
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest
God is nigh.
Thanks and praise, for our days,
‘Neath the sun, ‘neath the stars,
‘neath the sky.
As we go, this we know,
God is nigh.
TO ALL PARENTS
For all the joy thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we will run. We’ll shelter them with tenderness, We’ll love them while we may. And for all the happiness we’ve known, forever grateful stay. But shall the angels call the much sooner than we planned, We’ll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.
To all there comes the moment
To all there comes the moment
When the way of life divides.
To have, to hold, then to part.
You gave us years of Happiness
Then came sorrow and tears,
But you left behind precious memories
We will treasure always and forever.
To One in Sorrow
Let me come in where you
are weeping, friend,
And let me take your hand.
I, who have known a sorrow
such as yours,
Can understand.
Let me come in ~~I would be
very still
Beside you in your grief;
I would not bid you cease
your weeping, friend,
Tears bring relief.
Let me come in ~~ I would only
breathe a prayer,
And hold your hand,
For I have known a sorrow such
as yours, and understand.
Too Little Time
I still find each day too short for
all the thoughts
I want to think,
all the walks
I want to take,
all the books
I want to read, and
all the friends
I want to see.
The longer I live the more my mind dwells upon the beauty and the wonder of the world.
John Burroughs
Treasured Season
For everything there is
an appointed season,
And a time for everything
under heaven-
A time for sharing
a time for caring.
A time for loving,
a time for giving;
A time for remembering,
a time for parting.
You have made everything beautiful in its time. For everything You do remains forever.
Turn to Life Again
If I should die and leave you here awhile, Be not like others, sore undone, who keep
Long vigil by the silent dust
and weep. For my sake turn again to life and smile,
Nerving thy heart and trembling
hand to do That which will comfort other souls than thine;
Complete these dear unfinished
tasks of mine,
And I, Perchance, may therein
comfort you.
We give them back to you
We give them back to you, O Lord,
Who first gave them to us; yet as you did not lose them in the giving, so we do not lose them by their return….
For what is yours is ours also, if we belong to you.
Love is unending, and the boundary of this mortal life is but a horizon, and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.
Lift us up, strong Son of God, that we may see more clearly…
And while you prepare a place for us, prepare us also for that happy place, that we may be with you and with those we loved for evermore.
We Would Not:
WE WOULD not have you lack
Understanding concerning those in the sleep of death, lest you yield
To grief like others, who have
No hope. For if we believe
that Jesus died and yet rose,
so also will God bring forth with him those who have fallen asleep
believing in Jesus.
When I must leave
When I must leave you for a little while-Please do not grieve and shed wild tears and hug your sorrow to you through the years, But start out bravely with a gallant smile: And for my sake and in my name live on and do all things the same, Feed not your loneliness on empty days, But fill each waking hour in useful ways, Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer and I in turn will comfort you and hold you near; And never, never be afraid to die, For I am waiting for you in the sky.
When Curtain Falls:
When through our tears
of sorrow we see a curtain fall, And know a dearly-loved one has gone beyond our call,
We must have faith and confidence in God and in His way, For He will raise the curtain on a fairer scene some day.
Wind Beneath My Wings
Did you ever know
that you’re my hero And everything I
would like to be? I can fly higher
than an eagle For you are the wind
beneath my wings
Wings against the Sun
Forever earthbound are my feet, Upon the rocky road ahead, but high among the clouds. My thoughts, And so my heart is comforted. And if one shoulder aches, I shift The burden to the other side, Remembering the times I’ve laughed, And not the ones in which I’ve cried.
Too short indeed precious years, To let a dream die needlessly, Beyond tomorrow there awaits A time and place designed for me, And old hopes rising one by one, Are golden wings against the sun.
You Only Have One Mother
You can only have one mother,
Patient, kind and true.
No other friend in all the world,
Will be the same to you.
When other friends forsake you,
To mother you will turn,
For all her loving kindness,
She asks nothing in return.
As I look upon her picture,
Sweet memories I recall,
Of a face so full of sunshine,
And a smile for one and all.
Sweet Jesus, take this message,
To my dear mother up above;
Tell her how I miss her,
And give her all my love.
You have given us Love
You have given us love stronger than any love we’ve felt. We
will cherish those short months we were together. The feel of your soft skin, tiny face, toes and fingers. Tears fill our eyes with joy and sorrow for we miss you.
Our little angel…you must
sleep now. So—Please forgive us for we must say—-GOODBYE.
You toiled so hard
You toiled so hard for those you loved. The hearts of all you won.
Your spirit flew before we knew,
Your work on earth was done.
We miss you now, Our hearts are sore, As time goes by we miss
you more. Your loving smile,
your gentle face; No one can fill your vacant place. Your life was love and labor, Your love for family true,
You did the best for all of us,
We will always remember you.
Your Gentle Face
Your gentle face and patient smile
With sadness we recall,
You had a kindly word for each
And died beloved by all.
The voice is mute and stilled the heart,
That loved us well and true.
Ah, bitter was the trial to part
From one so good as you.
You are not forgotten loved one
Nor will you ever be
As long as life and memory last
We will remember thee.
We miss you now, our hearts are sore,
As time goes by we miss you more,
Your loving smile, your gentle face
No one can fill your vacant place.