For a Funeral Service (Section 2)Cut and paste your choice of hymns and readings Gaeilgeoirí: Click here, for readings and prayers in Irish. To format a booklet, see template |
Selection of HymnsOld Testament ReadingsResponsorial PsalmsNew Testament ReadingsGospel ReadingsIntercessionsCommunion ReflectionAdded Prayers |
Hymns for Funerals
Bí Íosa im' Chroíse
Bí 'íosa im chroíse 's im chuimhne gach uair,
bí 'íosa im chroíse le haithrí go luath,
bí 'íosa im chroíse le dúthracht go buan,
's a íosa, 'Dhia dhílis, ná scar choíche uaim.
'Sé íosa mo ríse, mo chara 's mo ghrá,
'sé íosa mo dhídean ar pheaca 's ar bhás,
'sé íosa mo aoibhneas, mo sheasamh de ghnáth,
's a íosa, 'Dhia dhílis, ná scar liom go bráth.
Bí, 'íosa, go síoraí im chroí is im bhéal,
bí, 'íosa, go síoraí im thuiscint 's im mhéin,
bí, 'íosa, go síoraí im mheabhair mar léann,
's a íosa, 'Dhia dhílis, ná fág mé liom féin.
Ag Críost an Síol
Ag Críost an síol, ag Críost an fómhar;
in iothlainn Dé go dtógtar sinn.
Ag Críost an mhuir, ag Críost an t-iasc;
i líontaibh Dé go gcastar sinn.
Ó fhás go h'aois, is ó aois go bhás,
do dhá láimh, a Chríost, anall tharainn.
Ó bhás go críoch nach críoch ach athfhás,
i bParthas na ngrást go rabhaimid.
Only in God
Only in God will my soul be at rest,
from Him comes my hope, my salvation.
He alone is my rock of safety,
my strength, my glory, my God
Trust in Him at all times, O people,
and pour out your hearts.
God Himself is a Refuge for us
and a Stronghold for our fear.
Many times have I heard of His favor
His long-lasting love.
You, Yourself, Lord, reward all who labour
for love of Your name.
Only in God will my soul be at rest,
from Him comes my hope, my salvation.
He alone is my rock of safety,
my strength, my glory, my God,
.... my God.
Abide With Me
Abide with me; fast fall the eventide;
The darkness deepens—Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me!
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day,
Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see—
O Thou who changest not, abide with me!
I need Thy presence ev'ry passing hour
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's pow'r?
Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me!
Hold Thou Thy word before my closing eyes,
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav'n's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee—
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.
Henry F. Lyte, 1840
Be Still, My Soul
Be still, my soul—the Lord is on thy side!
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide—
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul—thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul—thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past;
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake—
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul—the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.
Be still, my soul—the hour is hast'ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul—when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Katharina von Schlegel, 1752
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart—
Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought, by day or by night—
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true Word—
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son -
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise—
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart—
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'n's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
St Patrick, 5th Century
~
The Day Thou Gavest, Lord
The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended,
The darkness falls at thy behest;
To thee our morning hymns ascended,
Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.
We thank thee that thy Church unsleeping,
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
And rests not now by day or night.
As o'er each continent and island
The dawn leads on another day,
The voice of prayer is never silent,
Nor dies the strain of praise away.
The sun that bids us rest is waking
Our brethren 'neath the western sky,
And hour by hour fresh lips are making
Thy wondrous doings heard on high.
So be it, Lord; thy throne shall never,
Like earth's proud empires, pass away:
Thy kingdom stands, and grows for ever,
Till all thy creatures own thy sway.
John Ellerton, 1870
The Lord's my Shepherd
The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want.
he makes me down to lie
in pastures green; he leadeth me
the quiet waters by.
My soul he doth restore again;
and me to walk doth make
within the paths of righteousness,
even for his own Name's sake.
Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
yet will I fear no ill;
for thou art with me; and thy rod
and staff my comfort still.
My table thou hast furnishéd
in presence of my foes;
my head thou dost with oil anoint,
and my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
shall surely follow me;
and in God's house forevermore
my dwelling place shall be.
Francis Rowe, 1650
Old Testament Readings
select one of the following:
1. I know my Redeemer lives
2. God found them worthy
3. A blameless life is ripe old age
4. The Lord will wipe away all tears
5. There is a time for everything
A Reading from the Book of Job 19:1.23-27
I know that my Redeemer Lives
Then Job said: "O that my words were written down! O that they were inscribed in a book! O that with an iron pen and with lead they were engraved on a rock forever!
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
This is the Word of the Lord
A Reading from the Book of Wisdom 3:1-9
God tested them and found them worthy
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
Although in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them.
In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.
They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord will reign over them forever.
Those who trust in him will understand truth,
and the faithful will abide with him in love,
because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones,
and he watches over his elect.
This is the Word of the Lord
A Reading from the Book of Wisdom 4:7-15
A blameless life is ripe old age
But the righteous, though they die early, will be at rest.
For old age is not honoured for length of time,
or measured by number of years;
but understanding is maturity enough for anyone,
and a blameless life is ripe old age.
There were some who pleased God and were loved by him,
and while living among sinners were taken up.
They were caught up so that evil might not change their understanding
or guile deceive their souls...
Being perfected in a short time, they fulfilled long years;
for their souls were pleasing to the Lord,
therefore he took them quickly out from the midst of wickedness...
For God's grace and mercy are with his elect,
and that he watches over his holy ones.
This is the Word of the Lord
A Reading from the prophet Isaiah 25:6-9
The Lord will wipe away all tears
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
This is the Word of the Lord
A Reading from the Book of Qoheleth. 3:1-8; 14
There is a time for every season
To everything there is a season,
And a time for every purpose in this life.
A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up,
A time to wound and a time to heal,
A time to break 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 embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
A time to win and a time to lose,
A time to keep and a time to give away,
A time to rend and a time to repair,
A time to keep silence and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate,
A time to oppose and a time to make peace.
To everything there is a season,
And a time for every purpose in this life.
I know that whatever God does endures forever;
nothing can be added to it, nothing taken from it;
God has done this, and all should stand in awe of him.
This is the Word of the Lord
Responsorial Psalms
Choose one from below. In most cases, just three verses of the Psalms are used
-
Ps 23. The Lord's my Shepherd
-
Ps 26. My light and my salvation
-
Ps 42/43. My soul is thirsting for God
Psalm 23
Response:
I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life.
The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want.
He makes me down to lie ;
in green pastures he leadeth me
the quiet waters by.
My soul He doth restore again,
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E'en for His own name's sake.
Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.
My table Thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me,
And in God's house forevermore
My dwelling-place shall be.
Psalm 27
Response:
The Lord is my light and my help
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
One thing I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
and to inquire in his temple.
Hear me, O Lord, when I cry aloud,
be gracious and answer me!
Your face, Lord, do I seek.
Do not hide your face from me.
I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
-
Psalm 42
Response:
My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life
As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and behold
the face of God?
These things I remember,
as I pour out my soul:
how I went with the throng,
and led them in procession to the house of God,
with shouts of gladness and thankful songs
a multitude keeping festival.
O send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling.
Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy;
and I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God; I shall again praise him,
my helper and my God.
New Testament (Second Reading)
select one of the following:
1. He will judge the living and the dead
2. Let us live by a new way of life
3. What can separate us from his love
4. Alive or dead, we belong to the Lord
5. All will be brought to life
6. If we die with him, we shall live with him
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43
Jesus will judge the living and the dead
Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ - he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
This is the Word of the Lord
A Reading from the Letter of St Paul to the Romans 6:3-9
Let us live by a new way of life
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin.
But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.
This is the Word of the Lord
A Reading from the Letter of St Paul to the Romans 8:31-39
What can separate us from the love of Christ?
If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This is the Word of the Lord
A Reading from the Letter of St Paul to the Romans 14:7-12
Alive or dead, we belong to the Lord
We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. 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. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." So then, each of us will be accountable to God.
This is the Word of the Lord
A Reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians 15:20-28
All will be brought to life in Christ
We believe that Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.
For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. "For God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "All things are put in subjection under him," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things under him, that God may be everything to every one.
This is the Word of the Lord
A Reading from the Second Letter to Timothy 2:8-13
If we die with him, then we shall live with him
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David - that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny himself.
This is the Word of the Lord
Gospel Readings
Select one of the following:
1. Matt 5:1-12. Your reward will be great
2. Matt 25:31-46. Come, you blessed
3. Lk 7:11-17. I say to you, arise
4. Lk 12:35-40. You must stand ready
5. Jn 11:17-27. I am the resurrection
6. Jn 14:1-6. In my Father's house
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
(Mt
5:1-12
Your reward will be great in heaven
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain;
and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.
Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
"Blessed are the merciful,
for they will receive mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
(Matt 25:31-46
Come, you blessed of my Father
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left.
Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.'
Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'
Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'
Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.
(Lk 7:11-17
Young man, I say to you, arise
Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, "Do not weep." Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, arise!" The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us!" and "God has looked favorably on his people!"
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.
(Lk 12:35-40
Be ready for the Lord's return
Jesus said to his Disciples: "Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. "But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour."
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John
(Jn 11:17-27
I am the resurrection and the life
When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him."
Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
She said to him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world."
A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to John
(
Jn 14:1-6
In my Father's house there are many rooms
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going."
Thomas said to him, "Lord, 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.
Intercessions
(Prayers of the Faithful: )
These can be reworded, if desired. Have them read by friends and relatives of the departed person. Select four of five Intercessions from the examples given below
1. Let us pray for N. In baptism s/he died with Christ, may s/he now share in the fullness of his resurrection. Lord, hear us.
2. Our God and Father is full of mercy and compassion. May our heavenly Father forgive N. any sins s/he may have committed through human frailty. Lord, hear us.
3. For the sorrowing family, relatives and friends of N., that they may find strength and comfort in our Christian faith and in the love and support of this community. Lord, hear us.
4. We pray for those who mourn N.'s death. especially ..... May they be helped by the hope we have through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Lord, hear us.
5. God of all consolation, help all the bereaved to comfort each other at this time. May they find light in this time of darkness, and be strengthened in the faith. Lord, hear us.
6. We pray for all the people we have loved who have gone on ahead of us. Lord give them the reward of their goodness. Lord, hear us.
7. We pray for those who care for the sick and dying, especially those who cared so kindly for N. during his/her illness. Lord, hear us.
8. May the prayers of Mary, the Mother of God, who stood by the cross as her son was dying, help those who mourn and be with all of us in our time of need. Lord, hear us.
9. We pray for all who are gathered here today, that our memory of N. whom we knew and loved may inspire us to live our own lives to the full. Lord, hear us.
Additional Prayers
1. A Celtic Prayer
May God make safe to you each step
May God make open to you each pass
May God make clear to you each road,
And may He take you in the clasp of His own two hands.
2. A Providence Prayer
Gracious God
You surround us all our days
We walk and work in the light of your world
and sleep and dream in
the gentle dark you created.
Now that our working and dreaming are done,
Give us rest and a place to call home,
within the great city of your love.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Amen.
3. John Henry Newman's Prayer for serenity
May He support us all the day long,
till 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 His mercy -
may He give us safe lodging
and a holy rest
and peace at the last.
4. J. H. Newman's Prayer for the Departed
O Jesus, Lover of souls, we recommend to You the souls of all those your servants, who have departed with the sign of faith and sleep the sleep of peace. We beg You, O Lord and Saviour, that, as in your mercy to them You became man, so now You would hasten the time, and admit them to your presence above. Remember, O Lord, that they are your creatures, not made by strange gods, but by You, the only Living and True God; for there is no other God but You, and none that can equal your works.
Let their souls rejoice in your light, and impute not to them their former iniquities, which they committed through the violence of passion, or the corrupt habits of their fallen nature. For, although they have sinned, yet they always firmly believed in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and before they died, they reconciled themselves to You by true contrition and the Sacraments of your Church.
5. St. Patrick's Breastplate
I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same
The Three in One and One in Three.
I bind this today to me forever
By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;
His baptism in Jordan river,
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spiced tomb,
His riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom
I bind unto myself today.
I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward;
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.
By Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.
Loricum, or Breastplate of St. Patrick. 5th c.
~
Communion Reflections
One of these (or from the additional prayers) can be read by a relative, in the quiet after Holy Communion.
1. Miss me but let me go
2. Death is just a Horizon
3. Stranger at our side
4. Builders of Eternity
5. Gone from our sight
6. Footprints
7. For one who died young
1. Miss me but let me go
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little, but not too long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone
It's all a part of the master plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury the sorrow in doing good deeds
Miss me but let me go.
2. Death is just a Horizon
We give them back to you, O Lord, who first gave them to us; and as you did not lose them in the giving so we do not lose them in the return. Not as the world gives do you give O Lord. For what is yours is ours also, if we belong to you. Life is unending because love is undying and the boundaries of this life are but an horizon and an horizon is but the limit of our vision. Lift us up, strong Son of God, that we may see further. Strengthen our faith that we may see beyond the horizon. And while you prepare a place for us as you have promised, prepare us also for that happy place; that where you are we may be also, with those we have loved, forever. [Bede Jarett, O.P.]
3. Stranger at our side
All through life's day our risen Lord walks with us. Often, however, he is a stranger to us, for he never forces himself upon us. Before the day's end, we will ask many questions, experience many failures, disappointments and heartaches. And then, suddenly, whether we are young, middle aged or old, we will find that the shadows are lengthening and night is fast approaching. In that moment we pray that, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, our eyes will be opened and that we will recognise him - the stranger who walked at our side - as our risen Lord. And he will not vanish from our sight. Instead he will guide us through the dark valley of death to the safety of the Father's house.
~
4. Builders of Eternity
Isn't it strange that princes and kings
And clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
And ordinary folks, like you and me,
Are builders of eternity.
To each is given a bag of tools,
An hour-glass and a book of rules;
And each must build 'ere time has flown,
A stumbling block or a stepping stone.
5. Gone from our sight
I am standing on the seashore. Suddenly a ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts out for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch her until at length she is only a ribbon of white cloud just above where the sea and sky mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says: "There! She's gone!" Gone where? Gone from my sight - that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull as she was when she left my side and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her and just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There! She's gone!" there are other voices ready to greet her with a glad shout: "There! She comes!"And that is dying.
6. Footprints
One night a man had a dream. He dreamt that he was walking along a beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed the scenes of his life. For each scene he noticed not one, but two sets of footprints in the sand. He understood immediately that one belonged to him and the other to the Lord. But then he noticed a curious thing. At the lowest and saddest times in his life there was only one set of footprints. This bothered him and so he asked the Lord: "How come that during the most difficult times in my life, the very times when I most needed you, you left me on my own?" Then the Lord replied: "My friend, during your trials and sufferings when you see only one set of footprints, those footprints are mine. It was then that I carried you.
7. For one who died young
To my dear Parents...
Do not grieve that I died so young. I lived my span of life to the full, well cared for and always aware of your love. There are many who have lived long lives but have not been as well loved as me. If you would honour me, then continue to mention my name and to number me still among your family. If you would show me honour, keep alive your best memories of me, and keep your lives full of love, for it is love that lets us live. And above all, do not doubt that we will meet again in the loving arms of God our Father.
Paidreacha as Gaeilge
Léachtaí do'n Aifreann Socraide, Guí an Phobail agus Paidreacha Eile
An chéad Léacht
Sliocht as leabhar na hEagna (3:1-6.9
Tá anamacha na bhfíréan i láimh Dé agus ní bhainfidh piolóidí leo choíche.
Ba dhóigh le lucht na díchéille go raibh siad marbh,
agus measadh gur thubaiste ab ea a mbás,
agus gurbh ionann agus díothú a n-imeacht uainn.
Ach is amhlaidh atá siad faoi shuaimhneas anois.
Óir bíodh gur fhulaing siad pionós os comhair an tsaoil,
bhí siad lán de dhóchas go mairfidís go deo.
Tar éis dóibh beagán smachtaithe a fhulaingt
bronnfar mórán tíolacthaí orthu.
Mar chuir Dia féachaint orthu, agus fuair sé a dhíol iontu.
Thástáil sé iad mar ór i bhfoirnéis
agus ghlac sé leo ina n-íobairt lándóite.
Na daoine a chuireann a muinín ann, tuigfidh siad an fhírinne;
agus na daoine a fhanann dílis dó,
cónóidh siad ina fhochair faoi ghrá;
mar faigheann a phobal tofa grásta agus trócaire uaidh.
(Sin é briathar Dé)
Nó : Sliocht as litir Naoimh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh (14:17-12
Ní dó féin a mhaireann aon duine againn ná ní dó féin a fhaigheann sé bás. Má mhairimid beo is don Tiarna a mhairimid, agus más bás a fhaighimid is don Tiarna a fhaighimid bás chomh maith. Cibé acu beo nó marbh dúinn, mar sin, is leis an Tiarna sinn. Mar is chuige seo a fuair Críost bás agus a d'éirigh beo: chun go mbeadh tiarnas ar bheo agus ar mhairbh araon aige. Caithfimid go léir seasamh os comhair suí breithiúnais Dé, mar tá scríofa: “Dar mo bheo,” a deir an Tiarna, “ach go bhfeacfar gach glúin os mo chomhair agus déanfaidh gach teanga admháil do Dhia.” Dá réir sin tabharfaidh gach duine dínn cuntas air féin do Dhia.
(Sin é briathar Dé)
Nó : Sliocht as leabhar Iób (19:1.23-27
Dúirt Iób:
“Mo mhairg nár scríobhadh síos mo bhriathra,
Nár inscríobhadh iad ar scrolla,
Nár greanadh iad, le peann iarainn agus le luaidhe,
Ar charraig go brách.
Is eol dom go maireann mo chosantóir beo,
Agus go seasóidh seisean, an neach deireanach, an fód go daingean ar talamh.
Dá bhfeicfinn é ar scaradh le mo chneas,
Dá bhfaighinn radharc ar mo Dhia agus mé díchollaithe,
An té a d'fheicfinn, bheadh sé ar mo thaobh,
An té a bhfeicfeadh mo shúile é, ní bheadh sé eascairdiúil liom.
Tá mo leasracha á gcnaí!
(Sin é briathar Dé)
Nó : Sliocht as litir Naoimh Pól chuig na Rómhánaigh (8:31-35, 37-39
Má tá Dia ar ár dtaobh, cé atá inár gcoinne? Nuair nár lig sé uaidh a mhac féin ach é a thabhairt suas ar mhaithe linne go léir, cén fáth nach mbronnfaidh sé gach grásta eile orainn ina theannta chomh maith? Agus cé a dhéanfaidh lucht tofa Dé a chúisiú? Nuair atá Dia dár saoradh, cé a dhéanfaidh ár ndaoradh? An é Críost a dhéanfaidh é, an té a fuair bás agus a tógadh ó mhairbh, atá fós ar dheis Dé agus atá ag idirghuí ar ár son? Cé a scarfaidh ó ghrá Chríost sinn? Trioblóid an ea? nó cruatan, nó géarleanúint, nó gorta, nó nochtacht, nó guais, nó an claíomh féin? Ach sna cúrsaí seo go léir, beirimid an bua go caithréimeach tríd an té úd a thug grá dúinn. Mar táim cinnte dearfa de nach bhféadfaidh bás ná beatha, aingil ná prionsaí ná cumhachtaí, nithe atá ann anois ná nithe atá le teacht, an domhan thuas ná an domhan thíos, ná dúil chruthaithe ar bith eile sinn a scaradh ó ghrá Dé atá in Íosa Críost ár dTiarna.
(Sin é briathar Dé)
Salm le Freagra
(Salm 114
Freagra: Siúlfaidh mé I bhfianaise an Tiarna I ndúiche na mbeo.
Is ceansa an Tiarna agus is cóir;
is trócaireach é ár nDia.
Cosnaíonn an Tiarna lucht na simplíochta.
Bhí mé go hainnis agus shábháil sé mé. F.
Bhí muinín agam fiú amháin nuair a dúirt mé:
“Táim do mo bhuaireamh go mór.”
Nuair a dúirt mé le corp eagla:
“Is bréagach gach aon neach.” F.
Is luachmhar i bhfianaise an Tiarna
bás a chuid naomh
A Thiarna, is mise do ghiolla,
scaoil tú mo chuibhreacha díom. F.
Nó : (Salm 26
Freagra: Is é an Tiarna mo sholas is mo shlanú.
Is é an Tiarna mo sholas is mo shlánú,
cé a chuirfidh eagla orm?
Is é an Tiarna dúnáras mo bheatha;
cé a chuirfidh ar crith mé? F.
Aon ní amháin a iarriaim ar an Tiarna, éilím é seo:
Bheith i mo chónaí i dteach an Tiarna fad a bheidh mé beo,
chun go mblaisfinn aoibhneas an Tiarna,
agus go bhfeicfinn a theampall. F.
A Thiarna, éist le mo ghuth nuair a screadaim ort;
dean trócaire orm is freagair mé.
A Thiarna, táim ag cuardach do ghnúise;
ná folaigh orm do ghnúis. F.
Creidim go bhfeicfidh mé maitheas an Tiarna
i dtír na mbeo.
Fan leis an Tiarna, bi cróga,
bíodh do chroí go tréan
is fan leis an Tiarna. F.
Nó : (Salm 24
Freagra: Chugatsa a thógaim m'anam, a Thiarna.
Cuimhnigh ar do thrócaire, a Thiarna,
agus ar do bhuanghrá atá ann ó na cianta.
De réir do bhuanghrá cuimhnigh orm,
as ucht do mhaitheasa, a Thiarna. F.
Tabhair faoiseamh don chroí atá cráite
agus beir mé slán ón anacair.
Tabhair do d'aire mo bhrón is mo bhuairt
agus maith dom mo pheacaí go léir. F.
Déan m'anam a chosaint, agus fuascail mé;
nár náirítear mé toisc mo thriall a bheith ort.
Go gcumhdaí an neamhurchóid is an t-ionracas mé,
óir is ionat atá mo dhóchas, a Thiarna. F.
Nó : (Salm 22
Freagra: Is é an Tiarna m'aoire, ní bheidh aon ní de dhith orm.
Is é an Tiarna m'aoire,
ní bheidh aon ní de dhíth orm.
Cuireann sé féin i mo luí mé
i móinéar féir ghlais.
Seolann sé ar imeall an uisce mé
mar a bhfaighim suaimhneas. F.
Seolann sé ar rianta díreacha
mar gheall ar a ainm.
Fiú dá siúlfainn i ngleann an dorchadais,
níor bhaol liom an t-olc
agus tú faram le do shlat is do bhachall
chun sólás a thabhairt dom. F.
Cóiríonn tú bord chun béile dom
i láthair mo naimhde.
Ungann tú mo cheann le hola;
tá mo chupán ag cur thar maoil. F.
Leanfaidh cineáltas is fabhar mé
gach uile lá de mo shaol;
i dteach an Tiarna a mhairfidh mé
go brách na breithe. F.
Guí an Phobail
-
Guímid ar son na hEaglaise -- go raibh an Eaglais i gcónaí dílis do shoiscéal Chríost: soiscéal leighis, maithúnas agus dóchais. (A Thiarna, éist linn).
-
Guímid orthu siúd a bhfuil cúram poiblí orthu. Go saothraí siad ar son an chirt agus ar son na síochána. (A Thiarna, éist linn).
-
Sa bhaisteadh gealladh an bheatha shíoraí dár (mbráthair/ siur), (AINM). Tabhair dó (di) páirt a bheith aige (aici) i gcomaoin na naomh go deo. (A Thiarna, éist linn).
-
Guímid ar son muintir agus cairde ár (mbráthar/ siúrach), (AINM) -- go bhfaighe siad sólás ina mbuairt ón Tiarna a shil na deora os cionn uaigh Lazaras. (A Thiarna, éist linn).
-
Guímid ar ár ngaolta atá marbh agus orthu siúd go léir a bhí go maith dúinn. Go bhfáiltí Dia rompu isteach sa solas soilseach ina láthair féin. (A Thiarna, éist linn).
-
Guímid orthu sin a fuair bás sa chreideamh. Go bhfáiltí an Tiarna rompu isteach ina láthair féin. (A Thiarna, éist linn).
Paidreacha Eile
MAGNIFICAT
Mórann m'anam an Tiarna,
agus rinne mo spiorad gairdeas i nDia, mo shláinaitheoir;
Óir dhearc sé le fabhar ar ísle a bhanóglaigh,
Mar féach, déarfaidh na glúine uile feasta gur méanar dom.
Óir rinne an Té atá cumhachtach nithe móra dom
agus is naofa a ainm.
Agus tá a thrócaire ó ghlúin go glúin,
dóibh seo ar a mbíonn a eagla.
Thaispeáin sé neart a láimhe.
Scaip sé an dream a bhí uaibhreach i smaointe a gcroí.
Leag sé prionsaí óna gcathaoireacha
agus d'ardaigh se daoine ísle.
Líon sé lucht an ocrais le nithe maithe
agus chuir sé na saibhre uaidh folamh.
D'fhóir sé ar Iosrael, a sheirbhíseach,
ag cuimhneamh dó ar a thrócaire
de réir mar a gheall sé dár n-aithreacha,
d'Abráhám agus dá shliocht go brách.
Glóir don Athair agus don Mhac
agus don Spiorad Naomh;
mar a bhí ar dtús, mar atá anois
agus mar a bhéas go brách le saol na saol. Amen.
REGINA COELI (AM NA CÁSCA
Déan gairdeas, a Bhanríon na bhflaitheas, alleluia,
Óir an Té arbh fhiú thú é a iompar, alleluia.
D'aiséirigh sé mar a dúirt, alleluia,
Guigh orainn chun Dé, alleluia.
R. Déan áthas agus gairdeas, a Mhaighdean Mhuire, alleluia,
F. Óir d'éirigh an Tiarna go fíor, alleluia.
Guímis
A Dhia a dheonaigh áthas a thabhairt don domhan trí aiséirí do Mhic,
Ár dTiarna Íosa Críost, tabhair dúinn, impímid ort, trí idirghuí na Maighdine Muire, a Mháthair, go bhfaighimis gairdeas na beatha síoraí.
Tríd an gCríost céanna ár dTiarna. Amen.
SALVE REGINA
Go mbeannaíthear duit, a Bhanríon, a Mháthair na trócaire,
ár mbeatha, ár milseacht agus ár ndóchas, go mbeannaíthear duit.
Is ort a ghlaoimid, clann dhíbeartha Éabha.
Is chugat a chuirimid suas ár n-urnaí,
Ag caoineadh agus ag gol, sa ghleann seo na ndeor.
Ar an ábhar sin, ós tú ár n-abhcóide,
iompaigh orainn do shúile atá lán de thrua,
agus taréis na deoraíochta seo taispeáin dúinn Íosa,
toradh beannaithe do bhroinne.
A Mhaighdean Mhuire cheansa, ghrámhar, mhilis
Guigh orainn a Naomh-Mháthair Dé,
Ionas go mb'fhiú sinn geallúna Chríost.
PSALM 62
(A Soul Thirsting For God)
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you
like a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to see your strength and your glory.
For your love is better than life,
my lips will speak your praise.
So I will bless you all my life,
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,
my mouth shall praise you with joy.
On my bed I remember you.
On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help;
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you, o God;
your right hand holds me fast.