London, October 2013. Every November throughout the world those who have died are especially remembered and prayed for by the Catholic community. The commemoration begins on second day of the month called All Souls when Catholics pray for the dead as they continue, ahead of the living, the journey into the fullness God’s Light. Catholics also pray for those who are left behind and are still grieving. These prayers continue throughout the month of November, with people encouraged to visit a church or cemetery to pray.
The day before All Souls, the Catholic Community celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints – a celebration of all the lives of the saints, known and unknown. Catholics give thanks for their example and everyone receives afresh the invitation to become a saint. Both All Souls and All Saints express faith in God’s invitation to share eternal life with him.
Among those remembered in prayer were:
Members of the Royal House. Their Royal Highnesses Prince Ferdinand of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duke of Castro and Grand Master, and Princess Chantal of Bourbon Two Sicilies, Duchess of Castro.
Members of the British and Irish Delegation Mr Peter Jennings, KMCO, Mr Mark Railing, KGCO, The Rt Hon Baroness Thatcher, LG, OM, GCFO, FRS, Mr Anthony Cavendish, KCFO, The Rev Fr Ian Dickie, KGCO, The Rt Hon Lord Denman, CBE, MC, KCFO, Sir John Keegan, KMCO, Mr John George, KSG, KM, KGCO, FHS, HE Mr Donal Downes, KC*SG, GCHS, KCMCO, Mr Joseph Gaggero, CBE, KHS, KFO, Mr Joseph O’Connor, KM, KC*HS, KMCO, His Excellency Frà Fredrik Crichton-Stuart, KCJCO, Mr Juliusz Englert, KMCO, The Rt Rev Mgr Charles Caruana, CBE, KCGCO, Bishop of Gibraltar, The Rt Hon Dame Angela Rumbold, DBE, DCFO, Mr Sean Kevin Cunnane, KM, KCGCO, Madame Jadwiga Sas-Skrowonska, DMCO, His Most Eminent Highness Frà Andrew Bertie, KJ, GCJCO, Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Mr Sidney Shipton, OBE, KFO, His Grace The Most Rev Maurice Couve de Murville, GCGCO, STL, Archbishop Emeritus of Birmingham, Captain Gerard Salvin, KM, KJCO, Major-General The Right Honourable Viscount Monckton of Brenchley, CB, OBE, MC, KStJ, KM, GCJCO, DL, Mr Nicola Vecchione, KSG, KCMCO, Mr John Brooke-Little, CVO, KM, GCGCO, FSA, His Excellency Sheikh Zaki Badawi, KBE, GCFO, Principal of the Muslim College, Mr John Victor Monckton, KM, KJCO, Mrs Coral Elletson, DGCO, Dr Peter Bander-van Duren, CStJ, KCSG, GCCO, GOML, CCVV, FCCR, Mrs Florence Riggs, DGCO, Mr Desmond Fitz Gerald, KM, KJCO, Mr Rory O’Donoghue, KM, KGCO, and Lady Swan, DJCO,
PRAYERS
Prayers for the Dead and Grieving
Prayer One
Father of mercies and God of all consolation,
N. is gone now from this earthly dwelling
and has left us behind mourning his/her absence.
Let us find in your Son, Jesus,
comfort in our sadness,
certainty in our doubt,
and courage to live through this hour.
Make our faith strong
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Prayer Two
Most merciful God,
whose wisdom is beyond our understanding,
surround the family of N. with your love,
that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss,
but have confidence in your goodness,
and strength to meet the days to come.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Prayer Three
To you, O God, the dead do not die,
and in death our life is changed, not ended.
Hear our prayers
and command the soul of your servant N.
to dwell with all the saints,
and be raised at last on the great day of judgement.
In your mercy cleanse him / her of any sin
which he / she may have committed through human frailty.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Prayer Four
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them,
may they rest in peace.
Amen
Where N. is found in the prayers above please insert the name of your deceased loved one(s).