Presider’s Page for Monday 2 November (All Souls)
Opening Comment
On All Saints Day and today, we remember all the dead, those in heaven and those still be on the way there: God alone knows where each soul is. Today we pray for all souls, for the faithful departed still on the journey to their heavenly home.
Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
God of loving-kindness,
listen favourably to our prayers:
strengthen our belief that your Son has risen from the dead
and our hope that your departed servants will also rise again.
We ask 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
Isaiah 25: 6-9 A beautiful vision of the heavenly banquet that awaits believers, a sign of God’s salvation.
Romans 5: 5-11 Our hope comes from the death of Christ: through it, we can know how much we are loved by God.
Matthew 11:25-26 Jesus calls the burdened to himself, with a promise to help them bear the yoke of grief and loss.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Brothers and sisters, the Lord is our light and our help, so let us bring our prayers to God.
- For all who follow Christ, that our faith in life after death may be strong (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For our friends and family members who have died, that they may rest in pease (pause for silent prayer). Lord hear us.
- For those lost through war or violence, that the tragedy of their deaths may make people work for peace (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For those who have died before their time, through accidents or suicide, that their loss may remind us of the sacredness of life (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For people overcome by grief, that the power of Christ’s love may lift them up and renew their hope (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For the forgotten souls, members of our community, that they may always have the benefit of prayers offered at parish masses (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
The presider prays for all the souls — on this, their day:
For all our relatives and friends who have gone before us in faith, whom we remember now (pause)
and for the priests and people who worshipped in this parish through the ages (pause)
that they all may behold the Lord’s temple in the new and eternal Jerusalem (pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God of light, to live in your house is the desire of all your children: hear our prayers and help us in all our needs, through Christ our Lord.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
By this sacrifice, merciful God,
wash away in the blood of Christ
the sins of our departed brothers and sisters.
You cleansed them once in the water of baptism;
in your mercy grant them pardon and eternal rest.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.
PREFACE (Christian Death I)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In him, who rose from the dead,
our hope of resurrection dawned.
The sadness of certain death
gives way to the bright promise of immortality.
Lord, for your faithful people
life is changed, not ended.
When the body of our earthly dwelling is laid aside,
we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven.
And so, with angels and archangels,
with all the heavenly host,
we proclaim your glory
and join their unending chorus of praise: Holy, holy, holy….
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II
Lord, you are holy indeed,
you are the fountain of all holiness.
Send down your Spirit upon these gifts to make them holy,
that they may become for us
the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Before he was given up to death,
a death he freely accepted,
he took bread and gave you thanks;
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,
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…..
Remembering therefore his death and resurrection,
we offer you, Lord God,
this life-giving bread, this saving cup.
We thank you for counting us worthy
to stand in your presence and serve you.
We pray that all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ
may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.
Lord, remember your Church throughout the world:
perfect us in love
together with Francis our Pope and N. our Bishop,
with all bishops, priests, and deacons,
and all who minister to your people.
Remember all the Faithful Departed
whom you have called from this life.
In baptism they died with Christ:
may they also share his resurrection.
Remember our brothers and sisters
who have gone to their rest
in the sure hope of rising again;
bring them and all who have died in your mercy
into the light of your presence.
Have mercy on us all:
make us worthy to share eternal life,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles and with all the saints,
who have found favour with you throughout the ages;
in union with them
may we praise you and give you glory
through your Son, Jesus Christ.
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
Lord,
we have received the sacrament of your only Son,
who was sacrificed for us and rose in glory.
We humbly pray for the faithful departed,
that, purified by these paschal mysteries,
they may share in the glory of the final resurrection.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
SOLEMN BLESSING (The Dead)
Bow your heads for God’s blessing.
With surpassing love God has created us
and in the resurrection of Jesus Christ
given us the hope of rising again.
May the God of all consolation
send down upon you every grace and blessing.
R. Amen.
To us who are living may God grant forgiveness of sins
and to the dead a place of light and peace.
R. Amen.
May all of us live eternally with Christ,
who has truly risen from the dead.
R. Amen.
SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) “My Soul Is Longing For Your Peace”; “Be Not Afraid”; “Shepherd Me O God”; “Now The Green Blade Rises”; Abide With Me”.