Presider’s Page for Sunday 1 November (All Saints)
SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) For All The Saints; Christ be our Light; Seek Ye First; Colours of Day; Sweet Heart of Jesus.
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 one is. Today’s feast celebrates the saints in heaven, holy men and women of every time and place: we hope some of our people are among them.
Alternative Opening Prayer (from the 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 protected as they were.
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 realise that the saints are with us (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For people of every nation — that they may rid this world of hatred and injustice (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For those suffering because of COVID-19 — that they may have courage (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For people affected by doubt and despair — that God may help them (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For the sick and dying — that their friends who have reached heaven may encourage them (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For people who are self-isolating, or lonely — that God may comfort them (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
The presider prays for the dead: For all who have gone before us in faith (especially N and N, and for all victims of violent attack in Castlemagner and Dubliun this week), that they and all we have loved 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 OF 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 Lord ….
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II (with interpolation for Sunday mornings)
Lord, you are holy indeed,
you are the fountain of all holiness.
[SUNDAY MORNING ONLY: “In communion with the whole Church,
we have assembled on this day which you have made holy,
and, rejoicing that you have made us a new creation in your risen Son,
we pray:”]
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 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
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 FOR ALL SAINTS
• 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.
• May the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit,
come upon you and remain with you for ever.
R. Amen.
SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) For All The Saints; Christ be our Light; Come To Me All Who Labour…