Download Prayers for the Dying and the Dead: A Catholic Perspective and more Study notes Christianity in PDF only on Docsity!
Prayers for Death and Dying
Print Download PDF
"The Christian meaning of death is revealed in the light of the Paschal Mystery of the Death and Resurrection of Christ in whom resides our only hope. The Christian who dies in Christ Jesus is 'away from the body and at home with the Lord' (2 Cor 5:8)."
- Catechism of the Catholic Church , no. 1681
Prayers with the Dying
The following prayers may be recited with the dying person, alternating with times of silence. Sometimes, the same prayer should be repeated many times. The Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be are also appropriate. The dying person may be signed on the forehead with the cross, as was done at Baptism.
Short Texts
What will separate us from the love of Christ? (Rom 8:35)
Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. (Rom 14:8)
We shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thes 4:17)
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. (Ps 25:1)
Though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death, no evil would I fear, for you are with me. (Ps 23:4)
Into your hands I commend my spirit. (Ps 31:6a)
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. (Lk 23:42)
Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. (Acts 7:59)
Holy Mary, pray for me. Saint Joseph, pray for me. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Scripture Readings
Among many appropriate Scripture readings are the following:
Job 19:23- Psalm 23 Psalm 91 Psalm 121 1 John 4: Revelation 21:1- Matthew 25:1- Luke 22:39- Luke 23:44- Luke 24:1- John 6:37- John 14:16, 23, 27
Those gathered might take turns reading these passages from the family Bible.
Prayer of Commendation
As the time of death approaches, this prayer may be said.
Go forth, Christian soul, from this world in the name of God the almighty Father, who created you, in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who suffered for you, in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out upon you, go forth, faithful Christian.
May you live in peace this day, may your home be with God in Zion, with Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, with Joseph, and all the Angels and Saints.
Prayers after Death
Prayer for the Dead
In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil and bid them eternal rest.
The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. R/. Amen.
Prayers Immediately after Death
The following prayers may be recited immediately after death and may be repeated in the hours that follow.
Saints of God, come to his/her aid! Come to meet him/her, Angels of the Lord!
R/. Receive his/her soul and present him/her to God the Most High.
May Christ, who called you, take you to himself; may Angels lead you to Abraham's side. R/.
Give him/her eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on him/her forever. R/.
Let us pray. All-powerful and merciful God, we commend to you N., your servant. In your mercy and love, blot out the sins he/she has committed through human weakness. In this world he/she has died: let him/her live with you forever. Through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.
V/. Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord. R/. And let perpetual light shine upon him/her. V/. May he/she rest in peace. R/. Amen. V/. May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. R/. Amen.
All make the Sign of the Cross as one member of the family says:
May the love of God and the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ bless and console us and gently wipe every tear from our eyes: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. R/. Amen.
Prayers for Mourners
Lord God, you are attentive to the voice of our pleading. Let us find in your Son comfort in our sadness, certainty in our doubt, and courage to live through this hour. Make our faith strong through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.
Lord, N. is gone now from this earthly dwelling, and has left behind those who mourn his/her absence. Grant that we may hold his/her memory dear, never bitter for what we have lost nor in regret for the past, but always in hope of the eternal Kingdom where you will bring us together again. Through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.
May the love of God and the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ bless and console us and gently wipe every tear from our eyes: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. R/. Amen.
For those who mourn the death of a child:
O Lord, whose ways are beyond understanding, listen to the prayers of your faithful people: that those weighed down by grief at the loss of this little child may find reassurance in your infinite goodness. Through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.
Prayers at Graveside
Lord Jesus Christ, by your own three days in the tomb, you hallowed the graves of all who believe in you and so made the grave a sign of hope that promises resurrection even as it claims our mortal bodies.
Grant that our brother/sister, N., may sleep here in peace until you awaken him/her to glory, for you are the resurrection and the life. Then he/she will see you face to face and in your light will see light and know the splendor of God, for you live and reign forever and ever. R/. Amen.
O God, by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest, send your holy Angel to watch over this grave. Through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.
SHARE ON FACEBOOK
SHARE ON TWITTER
The Best of USCCB Books
Prayers to Protect Us
