The Burial of the Dead: Rite One
Concerning the Service
The death of a member of the Church should be reported as soon as
possible to, and arrangements for the funeral should be made in
consultation with, the Minister of the Congregation.
Baptized Christians are properly buried from the church. The service
should be held at a time when the congregation has opportunity to be
present.
The coffin is to be closed before the service, and it remains closed thereafter.
It is appropriate that it be covered with a pall or other suitable covering.
If necessary, or if desired, all or part of the service of Committal may be
said in the church. If preferred, the Committal service may take place
before the service in the church. It may also be used prior to cremation.
A priest normally presides at the service. It is appropriate that the bishop,
when present, preside at the Eucharist and pronounce the Commendation.
It is desirable that the Lesson from the Old Testament, and the Epistle, be
read by lay persons.
When the services of a priest cannot be obtained, a deacon or lay reader
may preside at the service.
At the burial of a child, the passages from Lamentations, 1 John, and
John 6, together with Psalm 23, are recommended.
It is customary that the celebrant meet the body and go before it into the
church or towards the grave.
The anthems at the beginning of the service are sung or said as the body is
borne into the church, or during the entrance of the ministers, or by the
celebrant standing in the accustomed place.
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All stand while one or more of the following anthems are sung or said
I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord;
he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live;
and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
I know that my Redeemer liveth,
and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth;
and though this body be destroyed, yet shall I see God;
whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold,
and not as a stranger.
For none of us liveth to himself,
and no man dieth to himself.
For if we live, we live unto the Lord.
and if we die, we die unto the Lord.
Whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord;
even so saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labors.
The Celebrant says one of the following Collects, first saying
| The Lord be with you. | |
| People | And with thy spirit. |
| Celebrant | Let us pray. |
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At the Burial of an Adult
O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our
prayers on behalf of thy servant N., and grant him an
entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of
thy saints; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now
and for ever. Amen.
At the Burial of a Child
O God, whose beloved Son did take little children into his
arms and bless them: Give us grace, we beseech thee, to
entrust this child N. to thy never-failing care and love, and
bring us all to thy heavenly kingdom; through the same thy
Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee
and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The people sit
One or more of the following passages from Holy Scripture is read. If
there is to be a Communion, a passage from the Gospel always
concludes the Readings.
From the Old Testament
Isaiah 25:6-9 (He will swallow up death in victory)
Isaiah 61:1-3 (To comfort all that mourn)
Lamentations 3:22-26, 31-33 (The Lord is good unto them
that wait for him)
Wisdom 3:1-5,9 (The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God)
Job 19:21-27a (I know that my Redeemer liveth)
After the Old Testament Lesson, a suitable canticle or one of the
following Psalms may be sung or said.
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Psalm 42 Quemadmodum
Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks, *
so longeth my soul after thee, O God.
My soul is athirst for God, yea, even for the living God; *
when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?
My tears have been my meat day and night, *
while they daily say unto me, Where is now thy God?
Now when I think thereupon, I pour out my heart by myself; *
for I went with the multitude, and brought them forth into
the house of God;
Why art thou so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
and why art thou so disquieted within me?
O put thy trust in God; *
for I will yet thank him, which is the help of my
countenance, and my God.
Psalm 46 Deus noster refugium
God is our hope and strength, *
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved, *
and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof rage and swell, *
and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same.
There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, *
the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most Highest.
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God is in the midst of her,
therefore shall she not be removed; *
God shall help her, and that right early.
Be still then, and know that I am God; *
I will be exalted among the nations,
and I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us; *
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Psalm 90 Domino, refugium
LORD, thou hast been our refuge, *
from one generation to another.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever the earth and the world were made, *
thou art God from everlasting, and the world without end.
Thou turnest man to destruction; *
again thou sayest, Come again, ye children of men.
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday
when it is past, *
and as a watch in the night.
As soon as thou scatterest them they are even as a sleep, *
and fade away suddenly like the grass.
In the morning it is green, and groweth up; *
but in the evening it is cut down, dried up, and withered.
For we consume away in thy displeasure, *
and are afraid at thy wrathful indignation.
Thou hast set our misdeeds before thee, *
and our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
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For when thou are angry all our days are gone; *
we bring our years to an end, as it were a tale that is told.
The days of our age are threescore years and ten;
and though men be so strong that thy come to fourscore years, *
yet is their strength then but labor and sorrow,
so soon passeth it away, and we are gone.
So teach us to number our days, *
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Psalm 121 Levavi oculos
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills; *
from whence cometh my help?
My help cometh even from the LORD, *
who hath made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved, *
and he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD himself is thy keeper; *
the LORD is thy defence upon thy right hand;
So that the sun shall not burn by day, *
neither the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil; *
yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
The LORD shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.
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Psalm 130 De profundis
Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O LORD; *
Lord, hear my voice.
O let thine ears consider well *
the voice of my complaint.
If thou, LORD, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, *
O Lord, who may abide it?
Fore there is mercy with thee, *
therefore shalt thou be feared.
I look for the LORD; my soul doth wait for him; *
in his word is my trust.
My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning watch; *
I say, before the morning watch.
O Israel, trust in the LORD,
for with the LORD there is mercy, *
and with him is plenteous redemption.
And he shall redeem Israel *
from all his sins.
Psalm 139 Domine, probasti
O LORD, thou hast searched me out, and known me. *
Thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-rising;
thou understandest my thoughts long before.
Thou art about my path, and about my bed, *
and art acquainted with all my ways.
For lo, there is not a word in my tongue, *
but thou, O LORD, knowest it altogether.
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Thou hast beset me behind and before, *
and laid thine hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me; *
I cannot attain unto it.
Whither shall I go then from thy Spirit? *
or whither shall I go then from thy presence?
If I climb up into heaven, thou art there; *
if I go down to hell, thou art there also.
If I take the wings of the morning, *
and remain in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there also shall thy hand lead me, *
and thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, Peradventure the darkness shall cover me, *
then shall my night be turned to day.
Yea, the darkness is no darkness with thee,
but the night is as clear as day; *
the darkness and light to thee are both alike.
From the New Testament
Romans 8:14-19, 34-35, 37-39 (The glory that shall be revealed)
1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 35-38, 42-44, 53-58 (Raised in incorruption)
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:9 (Things which are not seen are eternal)
1 John 3:1-2 (We shall be like him)
Revelation 7:9-17 (God shall wipe away all tears)
Revelation 21:2-7 (Behold, I make all things new)
After the New Testament Lesson, a suitable canticle or hymn, or one of
the following Psalms may be sung or said
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Psalm 23 Dominus regit me
The LORD is my shepherd; *
therefore can I lack nothing.
He shall feed me in a green pasture, *
and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
He shall convert my soul, *
and bring me forth 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 comfort me.
Thou shalt prepare a table before me in the presence of them
that trouble me; *
thou hast anointed my head with oil,
and my cup shall be full.
Surely thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the
days of my life; *
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalm 23 King James Version
The LORD is my shepherd; *
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; *
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul; *
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his
Name’s sake.
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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 for ever.
Psalm 27 Dominus illuminatio
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear? *
the LORD is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?
One thing have I desired of the LORD, which I will require, *
even that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the
days of my life,
to behold the fair beauty of the LORD, and to visit his temple.
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle; *
yea, in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me,
and set me up upon a rock of stone.
And now shall he lift up mine head *
above mine enemies round about me.
Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation with
great gladness; *
I will sing and speak praises unto the LORD.
Hearken unto my voice, O LORD, when I cry unto thee; *
have mercy upon me, and hear me.
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My heart hath talked of thee, Seek ye my face. *
Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
O hide not thou thy face from me, *
nor cast thy servant away in displeasure.
I should utterly have fainted, *
but that I believe verily to see the goodness of the LORD in
the land of the living.
O tarry thou the LORD’s leisure; *
be strong, and he shall comfort thine heart;
and put thou thy trust in the LORD.
Psalm 106 Confitemini Domino
O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is gracious, *
and his mercy endureth for ever.
Who can express the noble acts of the LORD, *
or show forth all his praise?
Blessed are they that alway keep judgment, *
and do righteousness.
Remember me, O LORD, according to the favor that thou
bearest unto thy people; *
O visit me with thy salvation.
That I may see the felicity of thy chosen, *
and rejoice in the gladness of thy people,
and give thanks with thine inheritance.
Psalm 116 Dilexi, quoniam
My delight is in the LORD, *
because he hath heard the voice of my prayer;
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Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, *
therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
The snares of death compassed me round about, *
and the pains of hell gat hold upon me.
I found trouble and heaviness;
then called I upon the Name of the LORD; *
O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; *
yea, our God is merciful.
The LORD preserveth the simple; *
I was in misery, and he helped me.
Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul, *
for the LORD hath rewarded thee.
And why? thou hast delivered my soul from death, *
mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
I will walk before the LORD *
in the land of the living.
I will pay my vows now in the presence of all his people; *
right dear in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
The Gospel
Then, all standing, the Deacon or Minister appointed reads the Gospel,
first saying
| The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. | |
| People | Glory be to thee, O Lord. |
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John 5:24-27 (He that believeth hath everlasting life)
John 6:37-40 (All that the Father giveth me shall come to me)
John 10:11-16 (I am the good shepherd)
John 11:21-27 (I am the resurrection and the life)
John 14:1-6 (In my Father’s house are many mansions)
At the end of the Gospel, the Reader says
| The Gospel of the Lord. | |
| People | Praise be to thee, O Christ. |
A homily may be preached, the people being seated.
The Apostle’s creed may be said, all standing
If there is not to be a Communion, the Lord’s Prayer is said here, and
the service continues with the following prayer of intercession, or with
one or more suitable prayers (see pages 487-489).
When there is a Communion, the following serves for the Prayers of the
People.
The People respond to every petition with Amen.
The Deacon or other leader says
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Almighty God, who hast knit together thine elect in one
communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son
Christ our Lord: Grant, we beseech thee, to thy whole
Church in paradise and on earth, thy light and thy peace.
Amen.
Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ’s death and
resurrection may die to sin and rise to newness of life, and
that through the grave and gate of death we may pass with
him to our joyful resurrection. Amen.
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Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as
yet by faith, that thy Holy Spirit may lead us in holiness and
righteousness all our days. Amen.
Grant to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that we may
be cleansed from all our sins, and serve thee with a quiet
mind. Amen.
Grant to all who mourn a sure confidence in thy fatherly
care, that, casting all their grief on thee, they may know the
consolation of thy love. Amen.
Give courage and faith to those who are bereaved, that they
may have strength to meet the days ahead in the comfort of a
reasonable and holy hope, in the joyful expectation of eternal
life with those they love. Amen.
Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand,
to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness
of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting. Amen.
Grant us grace to entrust N. to thy never-failing love; receive
him into the arms of thy mercy, and remember him according
to the favor which thou bearest unto thy people. Amen.
Grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of thee, he may
go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in
thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.
Grant us, with all who have died in the hope of the
resurrection, to have our consummation and bliss in thy
eternal and everlasting glory, and, with [blessed N. and]
all thy saints, to receive the crown of life which thou dost
promise to all who share in the victory of thy Son Jesus
Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
When there is no Communion, the service continues with the
Commendation, or with the Commital.
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At the Eucharist
The service continues with the Peace and the Offertory. Preface of the Commemoration of the Dead
In place of the usual postcommunion prayer, the following is said
Almighty God, we thank thee that in thy great love thou hast
fed us with the spiritual food and drink of the Body and
Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, and hast given unto us a
foretaste of thy heavenly banquet. Grant that this Sacrament
may be unto us a comfort in affliction, and a pledge of our
inheritance in that kingdom where there is no death, neither
sorrow nor crying, but the fullness of joy with all thy saints;
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
If the body is not present, the service continues with the [blessing and]
dismissal.
Unless the Committal follows immediately in the church, the following
Commendation is used.
The Commendation
The Celebrant and other ministers take their places at the body.
This anthem, or some other suitable anthem, or a hymn, may be sung or
said
Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant(s) with thy saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more,
neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Thou only art immortal, the creator and maker of mankind;
and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and unto earth shall
we return. For so thou didst ordain when thou createdst me,
saying, “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” All
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we go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make
our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant(s) with thy saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more,
neither sighing, but life everlasting.
The Celebrant, facing the body, says
Into thy hands, O merciful Savior, we commend thy servant
N. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech thee, a sheep of thine
own fold, a lamb of thine own flock, a sinner of thine own
redeeming. Receive him into the arms of thy mercy, into the
blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious
company of the saints in light. Amen.
The Celebrant, or the Bishop if present, may then bless the people, and
a Deacon or other Minister may dismiss them, saying
Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
As the body is borne from the church, a hymn, or one or more of these
anthems may be sung or said
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death,
and giving life to those in the tomb.
The Sun of Righteousness is gloriously risen, giving light to
those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death.
The Lord will guide our feet into the way of peace, having
taken away the sin of the world.
Christ will open the kingdom of heaven to all who believe in
his Name, saying, Come, O blessed of my Father; inherit the
kingdom prepared for you.
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Into paradise may the angels lead thee; and at thy coming
may the martyrs receive thee, and bring thee into the holy
city Jerusalem.
or one of these Canticles
The Song of Zechariah, Benedictus
The Song of Simeon, Nunc dimittis
Christ our Passover, Pascha nostrum
The Committal
The following anthem is sung or said
In the midst of life we are in death;
of whom may we seek for succor,
but of thee, O Lord,
who for our sins art justly displeased?
Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty,
O holy and most merciful Savior,
deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.
Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts;
shut not thy merciful ears to our prayer;
but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty,
O holy and merciful Savior,
thou most worthy Judge eternal.
Suffer us not, at our last hour,
through any pains of death, to fall from thee.
or this
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me;
and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
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He that raised up Jesus from the dead
will also give life to our mortal bodies,
by his Spirit that dwelleth in us.
Wherefore my heart is glad, and my spirit rejoiceth;
my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Thou shalt show me the path of life;
in thy presence is the fullness of joy,
and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore.
Then, while earth is cast upon the coffin, the Celebrant says these words
In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life
through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty
God our brother N.; and we commit his body to the ground; *
earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless
him and keep him, the Lord make his face to shine upon him
and be gracious unto him, the Lord lift up his countenance
upon him and give him peace. Amen.
* Or the deep, or the elements, or its resting place.
The Celebrant says
| The Lord be with you. | |
| People | And with thy spirit. |
| Celebrant | Let us pray. |
Celebrant and PeopleOur 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.
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And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Then the Celebrant may say
O Almighty God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, who by a
voice from heaven didst proclaim, Blessed are the dead who
die in the Lord: Multiply, we beseech thee, to those who rest
in Jesus the manifold blessings of thy love, that the good
work which thou didst begin in them may be made perfect
unto the day of Jesus Christ. And of thy mercy, O heavenly
Father, grant that we, who now serve thee on earth, may at
last, together with them, be partakers of the inheritance of
the saints in light; for the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
In place of this prayer, or in addition to it, the Celebrant may useany of
the Additional Prayers.
Then may be said
Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord:
And let light perpetual shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
The Celebrant dismisses the people with these words
The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our
Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through
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the blood of the everlasting covenant: Make you perfect in
every good work to do his will, working in you that which is
well pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be
glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Consecration of a Grave
If the grave is in a place that has not previously been set apart for
Christian burial, the Priest may use the following prayer, either before
the service of Committal or at some other convenient time.
O God, whose blessed Son was laid in a sepulcher in the
garden: Bless, we pray, this grave, and grant that he whose
body is (is to be) buried here may dwell with Christ in
paradise, and may come to thy heavenly kingdom; through
thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Additional Prayers
Almighty and everliving God, we yield unto thee most high
praise and hearty thanks for the wonderful grace and virtue
declared in all thy saints, who have been the choice vessels
of thy grace, and the lights of the world in their several
generations; most humbly beseeching thee to give us grace so
to follow the example of their steadfastness in thy faith, and
obedience to thy holy commandments, that at the day of the
general resurrection, we, with all those who are of the
mystical body of thy Son, may be set on his right hand, and
hear that his most joyful voice: “Come, ye blessed of my
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world.” Grant this, O Father, for the sake
of the same thy Son Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and
Advocate. Amen.
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Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of those who
depart hence in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the
faithful, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh,
are in joy and felicity: We give thee hearty thanks for the
good examples of all those thy servants, who, having finished
their course in faith, do now rest from their labors. And we
beseech thee that we, with all those who are departed in
the true faith of thy holy Name, may have our perfect
consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in thy
eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Into thy hands, O Lord, we commend thy servant N., our
dear brother, as into the hands of a faithful Creator and most
merciful Savior, beseeching thee that he may be precious in
thy sight. Wash him, we pray thee, in the blood of that
immaculate Lamb that was slain to take away the sins of the
world; that, whatsoever defilements he may have contracted
in the midst of this earthly life being purged and done away,
he may be presented pure and without spot before thee;
through the merits of Jesus Christ thine only Son our Lord.
Amen.
Remember thy servant, O Lord, according to the favor which
thou bearest unto thy people; and grant that, increasing in
knowledge and love of thee, he may go from strength to
strength in the life of perfect service in thy heavenly kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the
living and the dead: We give thee thanks for all thy servants
who have laid down their lives in the service of our country.
Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence; and
give us such a lively sense of thy righteous will, that the work
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which thou hast begun in them may be perfected; through
Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen.
O God, whose days are without end, and whose mercies
cannot be numbered: Make us, we beseech thee, deeply
sensible of the shortness and uncertainty of life; and let thy
Holy Spirit lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days;
that, when we shall have served thee in our generation, we
may be gathered unto our fathers, having the testimony of a
good conscience; in the communion of the Catholic Church;
in the confidence of a certain faith; in the comfort of a
reasonable, religious, and holy hope; in favor with thee our
God; and in perfect charity with the world. All which we ask
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, the King of saints, we praise and magnify thy holy
Name for all thy servants who have finished their course in
thy faith and fear; for the blessed Virgin Mary; for the holy
patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs; and for all other
thy righteous servants, known to us and unknown; and we
beseech thee that, encouraged by their examples, aided by
their prayers, and strengthened by their fellowship, we also
may be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;
through the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, we pray thee to
set thy passion, cross, and death, between thy judgment and
our souls, now and in the hour of our death. Give mercy and
grace to the living, pardon and rest to the dead, to thy holy
Church peace and concord, and to us sinners everlasting life
and glory; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and
reignest, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort:
Deal graciously, we pray thee, with all those who mourn, that
casting every care on thee, they may know the consolation of
thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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