Family Prayer for the Faithful Departed
Our belief in the Communion of Saints anchors us in our unity with our beloved dead. The Eucharistic Prayer for the dead tells us that in physical death, “life is changed, not ended.” Especially during All Souls Day and the whole month of November, we take this opportunity to pray for our faithful departed. We also take this time to remember and learn from them.
At home or at the cemetery, we foster an atmosphere of prayer by having a crucifix and lighting a couple of candles. The head of the family may serve as the prayer leader. If visiting the cemetery, the head of the family may sprinkle holy water on the tomb.
Introduction
Prayer leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Prayer Leader: Praise be to God our Father, who raised Jesus Christ from the dead. And we all say, Blessed be God for ever
All: Blessed be god forever.
Prayer Leader: My dear friends, we gather today to pray for our brothers and sisters whose bodies lie here in rest. They have passed from death to life in company with the Lord Jesus, who died and rose to new life, and are purified now of their faults. We pray that God may welcome them among all the saints of heaven.
Reading
Reader: A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.
The word of the Lord.
Reflection
The family may share reflections and memories about the faithful departed.
Prayer of the Faithful
Prayer Leader: Let us now join in prayer for our deceased brothers and sisters as we also pray for the church, for peace in the world, and for ourselves. For every petition, we respond: Hear us Lord and have mercy.
Reader: We pray that God may free our brothers and sisters from punishment and darkness. We pray to the Lord. (Response)
Reader: We pray that in his mercy, God may forgive all their sins. We pray to the Lord. (Response)
Reader: We pray that God may give them peace and light forever. We pray to the Lord. (Response)
Reader: We pray that God may give them joy in the company of all his saints. We pray to the Lord. (Response)
Prayer Leader: We gather all our prayers as we pray the prayer that Jesus taught us.
Our Father
Prayer Leader: Let us pray. 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 servants, now freed from the bonds of mortality, and count them among your saints in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen
Prayer Leader: Eternal rest grant them, O Lord.
All: And let perpetual light shine upon them.
Prayer Leader: May they rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Prayer Leader: May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Prayer Leader: We go in peace.