Presider’s Page for Friday 1 November (All Saints)
Opening Comment
Today and tomorrow we remember all the dead, those in heaven and those still be on the way there: God alone knows where each soul is. Today’s feast celebrates the saints in heaven, the holy men and women of every time and place: we hope some of our people are among them.
Penitential Rite
As we prepare ourselves to offer our praise with the saints, let us call to mind our sins: (pause)
Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom: Lord, have mercy.
You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness: Christ, have mercy.
You will come in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.
Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
All-holy God,
you call your people to holiness.
As we keep the festival of your saints,
give us their meekness and poverty of spirit,
a thirst for righteousness,
and purity of heart.
May we share with them the richness of your kingdom
and be clothed in the glory you bestow.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Apocalypse 7:2-4, 9-14 — This was written to reassure Christians suffering during Nero’s persecution. Christians today are marked as they were, through baptism, and promised God’s protection.
1 John 3:1-3 — St John assures us of God’s love and the hope for the future that comes with it.
Matthew 5:1-12 — The Gospel lists the kinds of people to whom the kingdom of heaven already belongs.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring our prayers to God, who created the earth and its fullness.
- For all the baptised, that we may enter the company of the saints. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
- For Christians suffering persecution — that the witness of the saints may encourage them. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
- For people of every nation, language and way of life, that they may work to rid this world of hatred and injustice. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
- For those whose lives are plagued by doubt and despair, that they may be supported by fellow pilgrims on the road to their eternal home. (Pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For all the sick, particularly those who feel that death is near, that their friends who have already reached heaven may encourage them. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
- For people with no faith in the afterlife — that God may touch their hearts and fill them with serenity. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
The Presider prays for the dead: For all who have gone before us in faith, that they may stand with the saints before the throne of the Lamb. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God of heaven and earth, you reward those with clean hands and pure hearts: In our unworthiness we bring our prayers to you, through Christ our Lord.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Be pleased, Lord, with the gifts we offer
in honour of all the saints.
We believe they have reached the haven of eternal life;
grant that we may experience their prayers for our salvation.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE (All Saints)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
Today we keep the festival of your holy city,
the heavenly Jerusalem, our mother,
where around your throne
the saints, our brothers and sisters,
sing your praise for ever.
Their glory fills us with joy,
and through their communion with us in the Church
you give us inspiration and strength
as we press forward on our pilgrimage of faith.
In company with them and with all the angels
we cry out with a single voice
in praise of your glory: Holy, holy, holy……
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III
Lord, you are holy indeed,
and all creation rightly gives you praise.
All life, all holiness comes from you
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
by the working of the Holy Spirit.
From age to age you gather a people to yourself,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
a pure offering may be made
to the glory of your name.
And so, Lord God, we humbly pray:
by the power of your Spirit sanctify these gifts
we have brought before you,
that they may become the body + and blood
of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
at whose command we celebrate this eucharist.
On the night he was handed over to death,
he took bread and gave you thanks and praise;
he broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:
THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
When supper was ended, he took the cup;
again he gave you thanks and praise,
gave the cup to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT:
THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.
IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL,
SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
The mystery of faith…..
Calling to mind, Lord God
the death your Son endured for our salvation,
his glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven,
and eagerly awaiting the day of his return,
we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
Look with favour on your Church’s offering
and see the Victim by whose sacrifice
you were pleased to reconcile us to yourself.
Grant that we who are nourished by the body and blood of your Son
may be filled with his Holy Spirit
and become one body, one spirit in Christ.
Let him make us an everlasting gift to you,
that we may share in the inheritance of your saints,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles, the martyrs,
and all your saints,
on whose constant intercession we rely for help.
Lord, may this sacrifice
which has made our peace with you
advance the peace and salvation of all the world.
Strengthen in faith and love your pilgrim Church on earth:
your servant Pope Francis, our Bishop N.,
all bishops, priests, and deacons,
all ministers of your Church,
and the entire people your Son has gained for you.
Merciful Father,
hear the prayers of the family you have gathered here before you,
and unite to yourself all your children
now scattered over the face of the earth.
Welcome into your kingdom our departed brothers and sisters
and all who have left this world in your friendship.
We hope to enjoy with them your everlasting glory,
through Christ our Lord,
through whom you give the world everything that is good.
Through him, with him, In him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We adore you, Lord God,
for you are the holy one
and are glorified in all your saints.
We implore your grace,
that we may reach the full measure of holiness and love
and pass from this table where we gather as a pilgrim people
to the banquet prepared for us in heaven.
Grant this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.
SOLEMN BLESSING (All Saints)
Bow your heads for God’s blessing.
Today God’s holy Church rejoices
that her sons and daughters
have joined the company of heaven and are at peace.
May God, the glory and delight of all the saints,
bless and keep you through endless days.
R. Amen.
May God deliver you from present evils
through the prayers of the saints
and by their example of holy living
turn your thoughts to the service of God and neighbour.
R. Amen.
May you enter one day your true inheritance
and with all the saints
live in the heavenly city.
R. Amen.