MORNING PRAYERS

Lord, grant that with peace in mind I may face all that this new day is to bring. Grant me grace to surrender myself completely to your holy will. Instruct and prepare me in all things for every hour of this day. Whatever tidings I may receive during the day, teach me to accept them calmly, in the firm conviction that all eventualities fulfill Thy holy will. Govern my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say. When unforeseen things occur, let me not forget that all comes from you. Teach me to behave sincerely and reasonably toward every member of my family and all other human beings that I may not cause confusion and sorrow to anyone. Bestow upon me, my Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day and to bear my share in all its passing events. Guide my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love. Amen. Eternal God, Creator of all things, who, out of your infinite goodness you called me to this life, gave me the grace of Baptism and the Seal of the Holy Spirit, diffused me with the desire to seek you, the one true God: hear my prayer. I have no life, no light, no joy or wisdom; no strength except in you. Because of my unrighteousness I so not dare to raise my eyes to you. Yet you said to your disciples, 'Whatever you ask in prayer believing, you shall receive.' and 'Whatever you ask in my name, that will I do.' Therefore I dare to invoke you. Purify me from all taint of flesh and spirit. Teach me to pray aright. Bless this day which you give to me, your unworthy servant. By the power of your blessing enable me at all times to speak and act to your glory with a pure spirit, with humility, patience, love, gentleness, peace, courage and wisdom: aware always of your presence. In your immense goodness, Lord God, show me the path of your will, and grant me to walk in your sight without sin. O Lord, to whom all hearts be open, you know what I need. You are acquainted with my blindness and my ignorance, you know my

infirmity and my soul's corruption; but neither are my pain and anguish hidden from you. Therefore I ask you to hear my prayer and by your Holy Spirit teach me the way I should walk; and when my perverted will would lead me down other paths spare me not, O Lord, but force me back to you. By the power of your love, grant me to hold fast to that which is good. Preserve me from every word or deed that corrupts the soul; from every impulse unpleasing in your sight and hurtful to my brother-man. Teach me what I should say and how I should speak. If it be your will that I make no answer, inspire me to keep silent in a spirit of peace that causes neither sorrow nor hurt to my fellow man. Establish me in the path of your commandments and to my last breath let me not stray from the light of your ordinances, that your commandments may become the sole law of my being on this earth and all eternity. Lord, have pity on me. Spare me in my affliction and my misery and hide not the way of salvation from me. In my foolishness, I plead with you for many and great things, yet am I ever mindful of my wickedness, my baseness, my vileness. Have mercy on me. Do not cast me away from your presence because of my presumption. Rather increase in me this presumption, and grant me, the worst of men, to love you as you have commanded, with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind, and with all my strength: with my whole being. O Lord, by your Holy Spirit, teach me good judgment and knowledge. Grant me to know your truth before I go down into the grave. Maintain my life in this world until I may offer to you worthy repentance. Do not take me away in the midst of my days, nor while my mind is still blind. When you shall be pleased to bring my life to an end, forewarn me that I may prepare my soul to come before you. Be with me, O Lord, at that dread hour and grant me the joy of salvation. Cleanse me from secret faults, from all iniquity that is hidden in me; and give me a right answer before your judgment-seat. Yes, Lord, in your great mercy and immeasurable love for mankind. My God-Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I offer you all my prayers, actions and sufferings of this day, in union with the merits of Jesus Christ, for your greater glory and in fulfillment of your most holy will. I offer them also in honor of mother Mary most holy, in honor of St. Joseph, of my guardian angel and of all my patron saints. I offer them for the remission and atonement of my sins; for the conversion of sinners and the dying; for the perseverance of the just, according to the intentions of the sovereign Pontiff, and to gain indulgences to

help the poor souls in Purgatory. I offer them for my own spiritual advantage and that of my brethren, and of all those for whom I am bound to pray; and finally, I offer them in thanksgiving for all the graces which I have received and shall yet receive through the merits of Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen. O Jesus, I come before you at the beginning of this day. I gaze at your face, I look upon your side pierced by the lance. Your wounded heart speaks to me of God's love poured out for us. Take, Lord, and receive my heart: the words of faith that I speak, the works of justice I would do, my joys and sufferings. When I come to the Eucharistic altar, gather my offerings to your own for the life of the world. At the end of the day, place me with Mary, your mother, with St. N. and all the saints by your side, forever surrounded by your love. Amen. Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day: my work, my prayers, my apostolic efforts; my time with family and friends; my hours of relaxation; my difficulties, problems and distress, which I shall try to bear with patience. Join these, my gifts, to the unique offering which Jesus Christ, your Son, renews today in the Eucharist. Grant, I pray, that, vivified by the Holy Spirit, my life this day may be of service to you and your children and help consecrate the world to you. Amen. God, our Father, I offer you my day, my prayers, thoughts and words, my actions, joys, and sufferings in union with the Christ your Son, for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit, who guided Jesus, be my guide and my strength today so that I may witness to your love. With Mary, the mother of our Lord and the Church, with St. N and all your saints I pray for my family and friends, for the sick and the suffering, those at home and those who are travelling (mention other particular intentions)and all the clergy and religious especially our Holy Father Benedict XVI and bishop N. both of whose intentions I commend to your goodness.

NIGHT PRAYERS
Prayer for Chastity O good Jesus, I now that every perfect gift and, above all others, that of chastity depends on the powerful action of your providence; I know that without you a creature can do nothing. This is why I beseech you to defend, by your grace, the purity of my soul and of my body. And if I have received any impression whatsoever of a sentiment capable of soiling this ineffable virtue, do you, O supreme Master of my faculties, blot it out from my soul that with a clean heart I may advance in your love and in your service, offering myself chaste all the days of my life on the most pure altar of your divinity. It is the Cross that I adore. The Cross of the Lord is with me. The Cross is my refuge. Confirm me, O God, by the grace of your Holy Spirit. Grant me the power to be strengthened in the inner man, and to cast out of my heart all unclean thoughts; not to be drawn away with various desires but to view all things as passing away, and myself also as passing with them. For nothing is lasting under the sun, where all is vanity and affliction of spirit. Oh, how wise is he who judges in this way. Prayer to the Holy Angels Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day, be at my side to light and guard, to rule and guide. St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and you, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power

of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. Byzantine Prayer for the Deceased God of the spirits and of all flesh, who have trampled death and annihilated the devil and given life to your world, may you yourself, O Lord, grant to the soul of your deceased servant N., rest in a place of light, a verdant place, a place of freshness, from where suffering, pain and cries are far removed. Do You, O good and compassionate God forgive every fault committed by him in word, work or thought because there is no man who lives and does not sin. You alone are without sin and your justice is justice throughout the ages and your word is truth. Since you, O Christ our God, are the resurrection, the life and the repose of your deceased servant N., we give you glory together with your un-begotten Father and your most holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Daily Prayer of Petition to St. Joseph Beloved St. Joseph, adopt me as your child. Take care of my salvation and watch over me day and night, preserve me from the occasion of sin, obtain for me purity of soul and body. Through your intercession with Jesus, grant me a spirit of sacrifice, of humility and self-denial, a great love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and a tender love for Mary, my mother. St. Joseph, be with me living, be with me dying, and obtain for me a favorable judgment from Jesus, my merciful Savior. Prayer of Abandonment Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures. I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands I commend my soul; I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself, to surrender myself into your hands, without reserve, and with boundless confidence, for you are my Father. Amen. Prayer of Trust My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will

does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you and I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road although I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death, I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.

PREPARATION FOR MASS

I draw near, loving Lord Jesus Christ, to the table of your most delightful banquet in fear and trembling, a sinner, presuming not upon my own merits, but trusting rather in your goodness and mercy. I have a heart and body defiled by my many offenses, a mind and tongue over which I have kept no good watch. Therefore, O loving God, O awesome Majesty, I turn in my misery, caught in snares, to you the fountain of mercy, hastening to you for healing, flying to you for protection; and while I do not look forward to having you as Judge, I long to have you as Savior. To you, O Lord, I display my wounds, to you I uncover my shame. I am aware of my many and great sins, for which I fear, but I hope in your mercies, which are without number. Look upon me, then, with eyes of mercy, Lord Jesus Christ, eternal King, God and Man, crucified for mankind. Listen to me, as I place my hope in you, have pity on me, full of miseries and sins, you, who will never cease to let the fountain of compassion flow. Hail, O Saving Victim, offered for me and for the whole human race on the wood of the Cross. Hail, O noble and precious Blood, flowing from the wounds of Jesus Christ, my crucified Lord, and washing away the sins of all the world. Remember, Lord, your creature, whom you redeemed by your Blood. I am repentant of my sins, I desire to put right what I have done. Take from me, therefore, most merciful Father, all my iniquities and sins, so that, purified in mind and body, I may worthily taste the Holy of Holies. And grant that this sacred foretaste of your Body and

Blood which I, though unworthy, intend to receive, may be the remission of my sins, the perfect cleansing of my faults, the banishment of shameful thoughts, and the rebirth of right sentiments; and may it encourage a wholesome and effective performance of deeds pleasing to you and be a most firm defense of body and soul against the snares of my enemies. Amen. (St. Ambrose) Almighty eternal God, behold, I come to the Sacrament of your Only Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, as one sick to the physician of life, as one unclean to the fountain of mercy, as one blind to the light of eternal brightness, as one poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. I ask, therefore, for the abundance of your immense generosity, that you may graciously cure my sickness, wash away my defilement, give light to my blindness, enrich my poverty, clothe my nakedness, so that I may receive the bread of Angels, the King of kings and Lord of lords, with such reverence and humility, such contrition and devotion, such purity and faith, such purpose and intention as are conducive to the salvation of my soul. Grant, I pray, that I may receive not only the Sacrament of the Lords Body and Blood, but also the reality and power of that Sacrament. O most gentle God, grant that I may so receive the Body of your Only Begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ, which he took from the Virgin Mary, that I may be made worthy to be incorporated into his Mystical Body and to be counted among its members. O most loving Father, grant that I may at last gaze for ever upon the unveiled face of your beloved Son, whom I, a wayfarer, propose to receive now veiled under these species: Who lives and reigns with you forever and ever. Amen. (St. Thomas Aquinas) O Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, our God, Fountain of life and immortality, Creator of all things visible and invisible; Consubstantial and Co-eternal Son of the eternal Father, who in your exceeding great love became incarnate in the latter days, and was crucified for us ungrateful and wicked children, and by your own Blood renewed our nature corrupted by sin; Do you, O Immortal King, receive me, a repentant sinner; incline your ear unto me and hear my prayer. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am not worthy to lift up my eyes to the majesty of your glory, for I have affronted your goodness, and broken your commandments, and disobeyed your laws. But you, O Lord most loving, long-suffering and merciful, has not given me over to perish

in my sin, but ever await my return. For, O you who love mankind, you have said, by your Prophet, that you have no pleasure in the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live. You do not desire, O Master, to destroy the works of your hands or that they should perish, but wills that all men should be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth. Therefore I, although unworthy both of heaven and of earth and of this temporary life, even I, a wretched sinner who had given myself over to every evil desire, despair not of salvation, though I have been wholly subject to sin, a slave to passion, and have defiled your image within me, who am your creation and your work; but trusting in your infinite compassion, draw nigh to you. Receive me, O Lord, you that loves mankind, as you received the sinful woman, the thief, the publican and the prodigal son. Take away the heavy burden of my sins, O you that takes away the sins of the world, and heals the infirmities of men, and calls all that are weary and heavy laden to yourself and gives them rest; you who came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance, cleanse me from all stain of body and soul and teach me to fulfill holiness in your fear, that with the witness of my pure conscience, I may receive a portion of your Holy Gifts, and be united to your Holy Body and Precious Blood, and may have you, with your Father and Holy Spirit, dwelling and abiding in me. And grant, O Lord Jesus Christ, my God, that the partaking of your precious and Lifegiving Mysteries may not be to my condemnation, nor may not through the weakness of my soul and body be received unworthily; but grant that, even until my last breath, I may partake of a portion of your Holy Gifts without condemnation, to the Communion of your Holy Spirit, as a preparation for eternal Life and for a good defense at thy dread Judgment Seat; so that I, together with all your elect, may also receive those incorruptible good things which you hast prepared for them that love you, O Lord; in whom you art glorified forever. Amen. (St. Basil) O Lord my God, I know that I am neither worthy nor sufficient that you should enter the habitation of my soul, for it is all deserted and in ruins, and you do not have a fitting place in me to lay your head. But as from the heights of your glory you humble yourself, so now bear me in my humility; as you deigned to lie in a manger in a cave, so deign now also to come into the manger of my mute soul and corrupt body. As you did not refrain from entering into the house of Simon the leper, or shrink from eating there with sinners, so also,

enter the house of my poor soul, all leprous and full of sin. You did not reject the sinful woman who ventured to draw near to touch you, so also have pity on me, a sinner, approaching to touch you. And grant that I may partake of your All-holy Body and Precious Blood for the sanctification, enlightenment and strengthening of my weak soul and body; for the relief from the burden of my many sins; for my preservation against all the snares of the devil; for victory over all my sinful and evil habits; for the mortification of my passions; for obedience to your Commandments; for growth in your divine Grace and for the inheritance of your Kingdom. For it is not with careless heart that I approach thee, O Christ my God, but I come trusting in your infinite goodness, and fearing lest I may be drawn afar from you and become the prey of the wolf of souls. Therefore I pray, O Master, who alone are holy, that you sanctify my soul and body, my mind and heart and reins, and renew me entirely. Implant in my members the fear of you, be my helper and guide, directing my life in the paths of peace, and make me worthy to stand at your right hand with your Saints; through the prayers and intercessions of your immaculate Mother, of your Bodiless Servitors, of the immaculate Powers, and of all the Saints who from all ages have been well-pleasing to you. Amen. ________________________________________________________________________ I believe, O Lord, and I confess that you are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. And I believe that this is truly your own immaculate Body, and that this is truly your own precious Blood. Therefore I pray, have mercy on me and forgive my transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, of word and of deed, of knowledge and of ignorance; and make me worthy to partake without condemnation of your immaculate Mysteries, for the remission of my sins and for life everlasting. Amen. Of thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of your Mystery to your enemies, neither will I give you a kiss as did Judas; but like the thief will I confess you: Remember me, O Lord, in your Kingdom. Neither for judgment nor for condemnation be my partaking of your Holy Mysteries, O Lord, but for the healing of soul and body. (St. John Chrysostom)

THANKSGIVING AFTER MASS

I give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, who have been pleased to nourish me, a sinner and your unworthy servant, with the precious Body and Blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: this through no merits of mine, but due solely to the graciousness of your mercy. And I pray that this Holy Communion may not be for me an offense to be punished, but a saving plea for forgiveness. May it be for me the armor of faith, and the shield of good will. May it cancel my faults, destroy concupiscence and carnal passion, increase charity and patience, humility and obedience and all the virtues, may it be a firm defense against the snares of all my enemies, both visible and invisible, the complete calming of my impulses, both of the flesh and of the spirit, a firm adherence to you, the one true God, and the joyful completion of my lifes course. And I beseech you to lead me, a sinner, to that banquet beyond all telling, where with your Son and the Holy Spirit you are the true light of your Saints, fullness of satisfied desire, eternal gladness, consummate delight and perfect happiness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (St. Thomas Aquinas) O sweetest Lord Jesus Christ, I implore you, pierce the very marrow of my soul with the delightful, health-giving dart of your love, with true, tranquil, holy, apostolic charity, so that my whole soul may ever languish and faint for love of you and for desire of you alone. May it long and pine for you courts; may it ever desire to be dissolved and to be with you. Grant that my soul may hunger for you, the bread of angels, the comforting nourishment of all holy souls, our daily and most delectable bread, our supersubstantial bread, in which is found every sweet delight. May my heart ever hunger for you, on whom the angels lovingly gaze; may it feed on you; and may the innermost

depths of my being be filled with the sweetness which comes from having tasted you. May my soul ever thirst for you, the source of life, the fount of wisdom and knowledge, the brightness of everlasting light, the flood of all true happiness, the riches of the house of God. May I at all times think of you; may I ever seek you and ever find you; may I always follow you and reach you; may your holy name be in my heart and on my lips; and to your praise and glory may every work of mine be done. Humble and discreet, loving and happy, ever ready and cheerful in your service, may I persevere, by you grace, even unto the end. Be alone and evermore my hope; all my trust; my wealth, my delight, my joy, my consolation, my rest, my endless peace. Be to me as a goodly taste, as a pleasant perfume, as a soothing sweetness. Be my food and my refreshment; my refuge and my help; my wisdom; my portion, mine own possession and my treasure. In you, O Lord, may my mind and my heart remain fixed and firm, and rooted immovably for evermore. Amen. (St. Bonaventure) Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have you present so that I do not forget you. You know how easily I abandon you. Stay with me Lord, because I am weak, and I need your strength, so that I may not fall so often. Stay with me Lord, for you are my life, and without You, I am without fervor. Stay with me Lord, for you are my light, and without you, I am in darkness. Stay with me Lord, to show me your will. Stay with me Lord, so that I hear your voice and follow you. Stay with me Lord, for I desire to love you very much, and always be in your Company. Stay with me Lord, if you wish me to be faithful to you. Stay with me Lord, for as poor as my soul is, I want it to be a place of consolation for you, a nest of Love. Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late, and the day is coming to a close, and life passes, death, judgment, eternity approach. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need you. It is getting late and death approaches. I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need you, my Jesus, in this night of exile. Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers, I need you. Let me recognize you as your disciples did at the breaking of bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart. Stay with me Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to you, if not by Communion, at least by grace and love. Stay with me Jesus, I do not ask for divine consolation

because I do not merit it, but the gift of your presence, oh yes, I ask this of you. Stay with me Lord, for it is you alone I look for, your Love, your Grace, your Will, your Heart, your Spirit, because I love you and ask no other reward but to love you more and more. With a firm love, I will love you with all my heart while on earth and continue to love you perfectly during all eternity. Amen. (St. Pio of Pietrelcina) Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, embolden me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within your wounds hide me. Never permit me to be parted from you. From the evil Enemy defend me. At the hour of my death call me and bid me come to you, that with your Saints I may praise you for age upon age. Amen. (Anima Christi, St. Ignatius of Loyola) Receive, Lord, my entire freedom. Accept the whole of my memory, my intellect and my will. Whatever I have or possess, it was you who gave it to me; I restore it to you in full, and I surrender it completely to the guidance of your will. Give me only love of you together with your grace, and I am rich enough and ask for nothing more. Amen. (Prayer of Self-Offering, St. Ignatius of Loyola) Behold, O good and loving Jesus, that I cast myself on my knees before you and, with the greatest fervor of spirit, I pray and beseech you to instill into my heart ardent sentiments of faith, hope and charity, with true repentance for my sins and a most firm purpose of amendment. With deep affection and sorrow I ponder intimately and contemplate in my mind your five wounds, having before my eyes what the prophet David had already put in your mouth about yourself, O good Jesus: They have pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones. (Prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ Crucified) I believe, O Lord, but may I believe more firmly; I hope, but may I hope more securely; I love, but may I love more ardently; I sorrow, but may I sorrow more deeply. I adore you as my first beginning; I long for you as my last end; I praise you as my constant benefactor; I invoke you as my gracious protector. By your wisdom direct me, by your righteousness restrain me, by your indulgence console me, by your power protect me. I offer you, Lord, my thoughts to be directed

to you, my words, to be about you, my deeds, to respect your will, my trials, to be endured for you. I will whatever you will, I will it because you will it, I will it in the way you will it, I will it for as long as you will it. Lord, enlighten my understanding, I pray: arouse my will, cleanse my heart, sanctify my soul. May I weep for past sins, repel future temptations, correct evil inclinations, nurture appropriate virtues. Give me, good God, love for you, hatred for myself, zeal for my neighbor, contempt for the world. May I strive to obey superiors, to help those dependent on me, to have care for my friends, forgiveness for my enemies. May I conquer sensuality by austerity, avarice by generosity, anger by gentleness, lukewarmness by fervor. Render me prudent in planning, steadfast in dangers, patient in adversity, humble in prosperity. Make me, O Lord, attentive at prayer, moderate at meals, diligent in work, steadfast in intent. May I be careful to maintain interior innocence, outward modesty, exemplary behavior, a regular life. May I be always watchful in subduing nature, in nourishing grace, in observing your law, in winning salvation. May I learn from you how precarious are earthly things, how great divine things, how fleeting is time, how lasting things eternal. Grant that I may prepare for death, fear judgment, flee hell, gain paradise. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Universal Prayer, Pope Clement XI) O Mary, Virgin and Mother most holy, behold, I have received your most dear Son, whom you conceived in your immaculate womb, brought forth, nursed and embraced most tenderly. Behold him at whose sight you used to rejoice and be filled with all delight; him whom, humbly and lovingly, once again I present and offer him to you to be clasped in your arms, to be loved by your heart, and to be offered up to the Most Holy Trinity as the supreme worship of adoration, for your own honor and glory and for my needs and for those of the whole world. I ask you therefore, most loving Mother: entreat for me the forgiveness of all my sins and, in abundant measure, the grace of serving him in the future more faithfully, and at the last, final grace, so that with you I may praise him for all the ages of ages. Amen. (Prayer to the Virgin Mary) Remain in peace, O Altar of God. May the offering that I have taken from you be for the remission of my debts and the pardon of my sins and may it obtain for me that I may stand before the tribunal of Christ without condemnation and without confusion. I do not know if

I will have the opportunity to return and offer another sacrifice upon you. Protect me, O Lord, and preserve your holy Church as the way to truth and salvation. Amen. (Syro-Maronite Farewell to the Altar)

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE Use the following questions as a guide for self-evaluation. First Commandment Thou shall have none other gods before Me (Deuteronomy 5:7). Have I believed in God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God in Three Persons? Have I acknowledged God as the Lord, the Source of all good things, the Savior of my soul and body? Have I loved God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength? Have I constantly had the thought of God in my mind and the fear of God in my heart? Have I failed to trust in God and His mercy? Has my faith in God been shaken by skepticism or doubt? Have I complained against God in time of adversity? Have I been thankful for Gods blessings? Have I questioned or doubted the holy tenets of the Catholic Faith? Have I asked God to strengthen my faith? Have I despaired of Gods mercy or help?

Have I prayed to God every day, morning and evening? Have I prayed with zeal? Have I always attended Divine Services whenever possible? Have I missed any of them without good reason? Have I tried to serve God and keep His commandments? Have I preferred religious books over others? Have I, in fact, read them? Have I read atheistic or heretical books out of sinful curiosity? Have I attended the meetings of heretics and schismatics? Have I willingly contributed to charitable causes and to the Church? Have I given a sacrificial portion of my resources? Have I neglected my duties to God through fear of ridicule or persecution? Have I denied that I am a Christian? Have I denied any teaching of the Orthodox Faith? Have I given way to superstition? Have I consulted astrologers, fortune-tellers or spiritualists? Have I put myself before God? Have I forgotten or neglected the most important thing in life, that is, preparing for eternity? How will I answer God if I have given myself up to vanity, sloth, pleasure and carelessness?

Second Commandment Thou shall not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself untothem, nor serve them ... (Deuteronomy 5:8,9a). Have I made an idol of any person or thing? Have I given to any one or to any thing the worship that is due to God alone? Have I put God first? Or have I given first place to: accumulation of money, acquisition of property, amusement or entertainment, food and drink, clothes, self-adornment, attention to myself, eliciting praise, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, spending time in distractions, obsession with myself or with other persons or things?

Have I been distracted from God by a passion for watching television or movies, attending the theater or playing games of one sort or another? Have I been so anxious about myself, my family or my friends that I have neglected God, failed to serve Him and not carried out what is required of me by the Church? Have I given too much attention to my home and its furnishings, its decoration and repair? Have I paid too much attention to a car, truck, van, boat or other vehicle of travel? Have I been irreverent during Divine Services, let my attention wander or been insincere? Have I neglected to receive Holy Communion regularly? Have I received the Divine Gifts without due preparation? Have I made an idol of myself? Have I made an idol of some passion? love of money? gluttony? sexual obsession? anger? Have I allowed a passion to take possession of my heart? Have I read the Holy Scriptures regularly? Have I read books that would be spiritually nourishing? Have I set before myself the holy life of Jesus my Savior and tried to imitate Him? Have I called on Him to help me? Have I read the lives of the Saints and tried to imitate their virtues, especially those of my Patron Saint? Have I asked for their prayers and their strength?

Third Commandment Thou shaft not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain (Deuteronomy5:11). Have I profaned the name of God in any way? Have I been thoughtless or irreverent with the name of God? Have I used the name of God in a curse? Have I treated something holy as a joke, or joked about holy things? Have I grumbled toward God or even renounced Him at any time? Have I shown due respect to the clergy and the faithful or hindered them in their work?

Have I shown respect for all other people? Have I prayed absent-mindedly or inattentively? Have I cursed anyone or anything? Have I sworn a false oath? Have I broken an oath or a promise? Have I entered into any sinful or unlawful contract or made such a promise? Have I given in to despondency?

Fourth Commandment Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee (Deuteronomy 5:12). Have I failed to attend Divine Services on the Lords Day or on a Great Feast Day without just cause? Have I kept others from attending Divine Services? Have I done unnecessary work on Sundays or on Great Feast Days? Have I violated the sanctity of the Lords Day or Great Feasts by unwholesome or frivolous activities? Have I distracted others from keeping these days in a godly way? Did I pray at home if I was unable to attend Divine Services on the Lords Day or a Great Feast Day? Did I make every effort to worship "in spirit and in truth" while I was at a Divine Service? Did I allow myself to be distracted by worldly concerns at a Divine Service? to judge others? to think of unwholesome or frivolous things? Did I make the effort to come to Divine Services on time? Have I diligently kept the fasts of the Church? Have I caused anyone else to violate the fasts or tempted anyone to do so? Have I fasted properly in my heart, realizing a hunger for God and life in Him, rather than legalistically, just to fulfill the letter?

Fifth Commandment Honor thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go

well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee (Deuteronomy 5:16). Have I been disrespectful to my parents or inattentive to their advice and concern for me? Have I been lacking in love for them? Have I withheld love from them? Have I disobeyed them? Have I neglected them or failed to help them? Have I cared for my parents in their illnesses or old age? Have I deceived my parents or caused them pain by my words or actions? Have I prayed for my parents and other relatives? Have I prayed for the repose of my parents and other relatives who are departed? Have I done my duty toward my family? Husbands: Have I sacrificed my life for my wife? Wives: Have I been obedient to my husband? Have I encouraged peace and mutual respect among the members of my family? Have I been responsible toward my spouse, children and others who depend on me for help, counsel, guidance or support? Have I been wanting in love for my spouse or harmed her/him in any way? Have I set a good example for my children? Have I tried to rear my children in godliness? Have I disciplined them with patience? or in anger? Have I been overindulgent with my children? Have I been stingy with any members of my family or with others? Have I neglected my godparents or failed to honor them? Have I neglected my godchildren or failed to instruct, guide or encourage them in the Orthodox Faith? Have I worked for my employer honestly and diligently? Have I treated fairly and respectfully all who worked with me or who are under my supervision? Have I respected and prayed for the civil authorities? Have I honored those who are older than I? Have I shown respect for all others?

Have I mocked anyone or made fun of him? Have I respected the clergy of the Church and prayed for them? Have I criticized them or mocked them? Have I been embittered against them, especially when they chastised or corrected me? Have I honored God as my Father, the Church as my Mother, and other human beings as my fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters?

Sixth Commandment Thou shalt not kill (Deuteronomy 5:17). Have I killed another person, or have I contributed to the death of another person? Have I had an abortion or given support or encouragement to someone else to have one? Have I wanted another person to die? Have I wanted any type of harm to come to another person or group of people? Have I tried to kill myself or thought seriously about doing it? Have I caused injury to another person? Have I caused injury to myself through smoking, overindulgence, drinking too much alcohol, taking drugs or too much medicine or through evil and intemperate living? Have I given way to anger? Have I cursed anyone or hurt anyone with unduly harsh words? Have I been cruel to anyone? Have I ignored someone who needed help or failed to defend someone who was being treated unjustly or cruelly? Have I failed to respond to those who are in need: to the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the imprisoned, the homeless, the ill, the troubled, the afflicted, the depressed or those with other needs that I could help? Have I harmed someone spiritually by leading him into temptation to commit spiritual death through heresy, schism or by some other sin? Have I shown malice or hatred toward another person? Do I bear any malice or resentment or hatred in my heart toward anyone else?

Have I failed to forgive anyone or harbored evil thoughts against anyone? Have I mistreated animals or destroyed or harmed any living creature unnecessarily?

Seventh Commandment Neither shalt thou commit adultery (Deuteronomy 5:18). Have I committed the sins of adultery or fornication? Have I committed the sin of masturbation? Have I had any sexual experiences outside of marriage? Have I done anything impure alone or with any other person(s)? Have I engaged in bestiality, transvestitism, sodomy or any other abnormal sexual practice? Have I degraded myself or another person in any way? Have I forgotten or ignored human dignity? Have I been immodest? Have I lived in an improper way with anyone else? Have I read or looked at immoral, suggestive or pornographic books, magazines, pictures, websites, movies, tapes, dances, plays or performances? Have I entertained impure thoughts or fantasies? Have I been unfaithful to my spouse through impure thoughts or fantasies? Have I looked at any person or thing in an impure way? Have I spoken or listened to impure or suggestive language, dirty jokes or lewd songs? Have I eaten or drunk too much? Have I tempted others to do so? Have I associated with bad companions? Have I been a to unsavory place? Have I been lazy, idle or wasteful of time? Have I tempted others or led them to commit sinful acts or to entertain sinful thoughts? Have I tempted others through my own immodesty or through suggestive language or actions? Have I been unfaithful to any trust? Have I betrayed the confidence of anyone else? Have I judged any other person?

Eighth Commandment Neither shall thou steal (Deuteronomy 5:19). Have I stolen anything or wished to do so? Have I stolen by fraud, deception or conspiracy? Have I kept anything that did not belong to me? Have I stolen by not rendering a service for which I was compensated? Have I tried honestly to find the owner of lost articles I found, when it was reasonable to do so? Have I cheated or defrauded anyone? Have I accepted or purchased stolen goods? Have I disposed improperly of the goods of another? Have I paid my debts in a timely way? Have I lived within my means? Have I lived extravagantly or wastefully? Have I been selfish with what is entrusted to me? Have I been miserly in soul? Have I shared with others? Have I been stingy? Have I given to those in need? Have I given a sacrificial proportion of my goods to the Church for Gods service? Have I been honest and upright in my dealings with others?

Ninth Commandment Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbor (Deuteronomy5:20) Have I slandered anyone? Have I lied? Have I added to or taken away from the truth? Have I made careless statements or spoken evil of anyone? Have I betrayed the confidence of another person? Have I criticized others? Have I rejoiced in the failings or downfall of others? Have I covered my brothers shame as Shein and Japheth covered their father Noahs? Have I spread gossip or scandal? Have I hurt the reputation of anyone else?

Have I concealed the truth or assisted in carrying out a lie? Have I confessed to sins I have not committed? Have I confessed all the sins I have committed? Have I failed to come forward to defend another person when I knew lie was being slandered or spoken against unjustly? Have I tried to see the good in others? Have I concentrated on the shortcomings of others? Have I engaged in idle chatter? Have I spoken unnecessarily? Have I laughed or acted frivolously? Have I made a real effort to be truthful at all times?

Tenth Commandment Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbors wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbors house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbors (Deuteronomy 5:2 1). Have I envied others? either their lives or their goods? Have I desired anything that was anothers? Have I damaged or destroyed the possessions or property of others? Have I desired things God has not given me? Have I been discontent with my life? Have I held back anything due to another because I wanted it myself or for any other reason? Have I hoped for the downfall of another so that I might gain by it? Have I failed to be gracious and generous to anyone? Have I wanted from God what I refused to give to a fellow man: forgiveness? goods? grace? physical or spiritual blessings? Have I been greedy? Have I been jealous of another persons goods, money, appearance, success, love, popularity, being loved by another or others? Have I concentrated my time, efforts and thoughts on the things of the world rather than on the things of the spirit?

Acts of Contrition

O my God, I am sorry for my sins because I have offended you. I know I should love you above all things. Help me to do penance, to do better, and to avoid anything that might lead me to sin. Amen. O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you, and I detest all my sins because of your just punishments, but most of all because they offend you, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Forgive me my sins, O Lord, forgive me my sins; the sins of my youth, the sins of my age, the sins of my soul, the sins of my body; my idle sins, my serious voluntary sins; the sins I know, the sins I do not know; the sins I have concealed for so long, and which are now hidden from my memory. I am truly sorry for every sin, mortal and venial, for all the sins of my childhood up to the present hour. I know my sins have wounded your Sacred Heart, O my Savior, let me be freed from the bonds of evil through your most bitter Passion, my Redeemer. Amen. My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Remember, Lord, your compassion and mercy which you showed long ago. Do not recall the sins and failings of my youth. In your mercy remember me, Lord, because of your goodness. (Psalm 24:6-7) Father of mercy, like the prodigal son I return to you and say: "I have sinned against you and am no longer worthy to be called your son." Christ Jesus, Savior of the world, I pray with the repentant thief to whom you promised Paradise: "Lord, remember me in your kingdom." Holy Spirit, fountain of love, I call on you with trust: "Purify my heart, and help me to walk as a child of light." Lord Jesus, you opened the eyes of the blind, healed the sick, forgave the sinful woman, and after Peter's denial confirmed him in your

love. Listen to my prayer: forgive all my sins, renew your love in my heart, help me to live in perfect unity with my fellow Christians that I may proclaim your saving power to all the world. Lord Jesus, you chose to be called the friend of sinners. By your saving death and resurrection free me from my sins. May your peace take root in my heart and bring forth a harvest of love, holiness, and truth. Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Lamb of God; you take away the sins of the world. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit restore me to friendship with your Father, cleanse me from every stain of sin in the blood you shed for me, and raise me to new life for the glory of your name. Lord God, in your goodness have mercy on me: do not look on my sins, but take away all my guilt. Create in me a clean heart and renew within me an upright spirit. Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Thanksgiving After Confession Almighty and merciful God, how wonderfully you created man and still more wonderfully remade him. You do not abandon the sinner but seek him out with a father's love. You sent your Son into the world to destroy sin and death by his passion, and to restore life and joy by his resurrection. You sent the Holy Spirit into our hearts to make us your children and heirs of your kingdom. You constantly renew our spirit in the sacrament of your redeeming love, freeing us from slavery to sin and transforming us ever more closely into the likeness of your beloved Son. We thank you for the wonders of your mercy, and with heart and hand and voice we join with the whole Church in a new song of praise: Glory to you through Christ in the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

WAY OF THE CROSS

SPIRITUAL WARFARE Most glorious Prince of the Heavenly Armies, Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in "our battle against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places." (Ephes. 6:12) Come to the assistance of men whom God has created to their image and likeness and whom Jesus has redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil. Holy Church venerates thee as her guardian and protector; to thee, the Lord has entrusted the souls of the redeemed to be led into heaven. Pray therefore that the God of Peace allows men of faith to expel Satan, that he may no longer retain men captive and do injury to the Church. Offer our prayers to the Most High, that without delay they may draw His mercy down upon us; take hold of "the dragon,

the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan," bind him and cast him into the bottomless pit "so that he may no longer seduce the nations." (Apoc. 20:2) EXORCISM (Prayer) 1(Lay people omit this content.) In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, strengthened by the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of our Savior, of Blessed Michael the Archangel, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and all the Saints, 1(and powerful in the holy authority of our ministry), we confidently undertake to repulse the attacks and deceits of the devil. Psalm 67: God arises; His enemies are scattered and those who hate Him flee before Him. As smoke is driven away, so are they driven; as wax melts before the fire, so the wicked perish at the presence of God. V. Behold the Cross of the Lord, flee bands of enemies. R. He has conquered, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the offspring of David. V. May thy mercy, Lord, descend upon us. R. As great as our hope in Thee. The crosses indicate a blessing to be given if a priest recites the Exorcism; if a lay person recites it, they indicate the Sign of the Cross to be made silently by that person. We drive you from us, whoever you may be, unclean spirits, all satanic powers, all infernal invaders, all wicked legions, assemblies and sects; in the Name Make the Sign of the Cross and by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, do may you be snatched away and driven from the Church of God and from the souls made to the image and likeness of God and redeemed by the Precious Blood of the Divine Lamb. Most cunning serpent, you shall no more dare to deceive the human race, persecute the Church, torment God's elect and sift them as wheat. The Most High God commands you, They (Trinity) with whom, in your great insolence, you still claim to be equal; "They who want all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (I Tim., 1I, 4) Yahweh commands you. The eternal Son commands you. The eternal Holy Ghost commands you. Jesus, God's Word made flesh, commands you; He who to save our race outdone through your

envy, "humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death;" (Phil., 11, 8) He who built His Church on the firm rock and declared that the gates of hell shall not prevail against Her commands you, because He will dwell with Her "all days even to the end of the world." (Mat. 28:20) The sacred Sign of the Cross commands you, as does also the power of the mysteries of the Christian Faith. The glorious Mother of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, commands you; She who by her humility and from the first moment of her Immaculate Conception, crushed your proud head. The faith of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and of the other Apostles command you. The blood of the Martyrs and the pious intercession of all the Saints command you. Thus, cursed dragon, and you, diabolical legions, we adjure you by the living God, by the true God, by the Holy God, by Yahweh "who so loved the world that He gave up His only Son, that every soul believing in Him might not perish but have life everlasting;" (John 3:16) stop deceiving human creatures and pouring out to them the poison of eternal damnation; stop harming the Church and hindering her liberty. Begone, Satan, inventor and master of all deceit, enemy of man's salvation. Give place to Christ in whom you have found none of your works; give place to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church acquired by Christ at the price of His Blood. Stoop beneath the all-powerful Hand of God; tremble and flee when we invoke the Holy and Terrible Name of Jesus, this Name to which the Virtues, Powers and Dominations of heaven are humbly submissive, this Name which causes hell to tremble, this Name which the Cherubim and Seraphim praise unceasingly repeating: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord, the God of Armies. V. R. V. R. O Lord, hear my prayer. And let my cry come unto Thee. May the Lord be with you. And also with you.

Let us pray. - God of heaven, God of earth, God of Angels, God of Archangels, God of Patriarchs, God of Prophets, God of Apostles, God of Martyrs, God of Confessors, God of Virgins, God who has power to give life after death and rest after work, because there is no other God than Thee and there can be no other, for Thou art the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, of whose reign there shall be no end, we humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy glorious Majesty and we

beseech Thee to deliver us by Thy power from all the tyranny of the infernal spirits, from their snares, their lies and their furious wickedness; deign, O Lord, to grant us Thy powerful protection and to keep us safe and sound. We beseech Thee through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. From the snares of the devil, deliver us, O Lord. That Thy Church may serve Thee in peace and liberty, we beseech Thee to hear us. That Thou may crush down all enemies of Thy Church, we beseech Thee to hear us. (Holy water is sprinkled in the place where we may be)

VIRGIN MARY THE ROSARY The Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen The Apostles' Creed: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He arose again; He ascended into heaven,and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgivness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen

The Our Father: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name: Thy kingdom come: Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread: and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil. Amen. The Hail Mary: Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen Glory Be to the Father: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. The Fatima Prayer: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those in most need of Your Mercy". The Five Joyful Mysteries Monday & Saturday The Annunciation: Humility The Visitation: Charity The Birth of Our Lord: Poverty, or detachment from the world The Presentation of Our Lord: Purity of heart, obedience The Finding of Our Lord in the Temple: Piety The Five Sorrowful Mysteries Tuesday & Friday The Agony in the Garden: Contrition for our sins The Scourging at the Pillar: Mortification of our senses The Crowning with Thorns: Interior mortification The Carrying of the Cross: Patience under crosses The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord: That we may die to ourselves The Five Glorious Mysteries Wednesday & Sunday The Resurrection: Conversion of heart The Ascension: A desire for heaven The Coming of the Holy Ghost: The Gifts of the Holy Ghost

The Assumption of our Blessed Mother into Heaven: Devotion to Mary The Coronation of our Blessed Mother: Eternal happiness The Five Luminous Mysteries Thursday The Baptism in the Jordan The Wedding at Cana The Proclamation of the Kingdom The Transfiguration The Institution of the Eucharist

DEVOTION TO ST. JOSEPH

FAITHFUL DEPARTED

RESPONSORY FOR THE DEAD V. Do not remember my sins, O Lord. R. When you come to judge the world by fire. V. Direct my way in your sight, O Lord, my God. R. When you come to judge the world by fire. V. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon him. R. When you come to judge the world by fire. V. Lord, have mercy. R. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Our Father... V. And lead us not into temptation. R. But deliver us from evil. V. From the gates of hell. R. Deliver his soul, O Lord. V. May he rest in peace. R. Amen. V. Lord, hear my prayer. R. And let my cry come to you. V. The Lord be with you. R. And also with you. Let us pray. Lord, welcome into your presence your son, N., whom you have called from this life. Release him from all his sins, bless him with eternal light and peace, raise him up to live for ever with all your saints in the glory of the resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. ORDER FOR VISITING A CEMETERY

ON ALL SOULS DAY, MEMORIAL DAY, OR ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH OR BURIAL This order is a solemn commemoration of the departed whose bodies lie in a cemetery. It may be used on All Souls Day, Memorial Day, on the anniversary of the death or burial of a particular deceased person, or when a gravestone or cemetery monument is erected. The service may also be adapted for use by individuals when they visit the grave of a relative or friend. The service may be used immediately following Mass or apart from Mass. If the service takes place immediately after Mass and there is to be a procession to the cemetery, the blessing and dismissal of the Mass are omitted. During the procession a psalm or other suitable song may be sung. The priest may wear the chasuble or a cope for the procession and for the service in the cemetery. This order may be used by a priest, deacon, or a lay minister. On those occasions when this service is used by a family, one of the family members takes the minister's parts. ORDER FOR VISITING A CEMETERY PROCESSION If the service is to take place immediately after Mass and the cemetery is close to the parish church, the blessing and dismissal of the Mass are omitted and the procession to the cemetery is formed. During the procession Psalm 25, Psalm 116, Psalm 118, or Psalm 42 may be sung. Other suitable songs may also be used. When all have reached the cemetery, the minister addresses the people, using the introduction below. If there is no procession, or the service takes place apart from Mass, a psalm or other suitable song may be sung after all have gathered at the cemetery. GREETING

A minister who is a priest or deacon greets the people in the following or other words preferably taken from Scripture: The grace and peace of God our Father, who raised Jesus from the dead, be with you always. All reply: And also with you. A lay minister greets those present in the following words: Praise be to God our Father, who raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Blessed be God for ever. R. Blessed be God for ever. The minister using these or similar words, says: My dear friends, we gather today to pray for our brothers and sisters whose bodies lie here in rest. They have passed from death to life in company with the Lord Jesus, who died and rose to new life, and are purified now of their faults. We pray that God may welcome them among all the saints of heaven. READING OF THE WORD OF GOD If Mass has not preceded, a reader, another person present, or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture. Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians: 13-18 We shall stay with the Lord for ever. We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and the trumpet of

God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words. Or one of the Scripture texts in Part III of the Order of Christian Funerals may be chosen. As circumstances suggest, one of the following responsorial psalms may be sung, or some other suitable song. R. To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalm 25 In you I trust; let me not be put to shame, let not my enemies exult over me. No one who waits for you shall be put to shame; those shall be put to shame who heedlessly break faith. R. Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths, Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and for you I wait all the day. R. Remember that your compassion, O Lord, and your kindness are from of old. The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not; in your kindness remember me, because of your goodness, O Lord. R. Good and upright is the Lord; thus he shows sinners the way. He guides the humble to justice, he teaches the humble his way. R. All the paths of the Lord are kindness and constancy toward those who keep his covenant and his decrees. For your name's sake, O Lord, you will pardon my guilt, great as it is. R.

Or: Psalm 27:1, 2, 3, 4, 13 R. (v. 1) The Lord is my light and my salvation. Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 R. (v. 5) My soul has hoped in the Lord. Psalm 143:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7, 9-10, 11-12 R. (v. 1) O Lord, hear my prayer. LITANY While the following litany is sung or recited, the minister sprinkles the graves with holy water and, if desired, may also incense them. Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for them Saint Michael, pray for them Saint John the Baptist, pray for them Saint Joseph, pray for them Saint Peter, pray for them Saint Paul, pray for them Saint Andrew, pray for them Saint Stephen, pray for them Saint Ann, pray for them Saint Teresa, pray for them Saint Catherine, pray for them Saint Frances Cabrini, pray for them Saint Elizabeth Seton, pray for them (The names of other saints may be added.)

All holy men and women, pray for them Christ, pardon all their faults: Lord, hear our prayer Christ, remember the good they have done: Lord, hear our prayer Christ, receive them into eternal life: Lord, hear our prayer Christ, comfort all those who mourn: Lord, hear our prayer Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy The minister then invites those present to pray the Lord's Prayer, in these or similar words: With Christ there is mercy and fullness of redemption; let us pray as Jesus taught us: All: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. PRAYER

The minister then says the following prayer or another taken from the Order of Christian Funerals, no. 398. All-powerful God, whose mercy is never withheld from those who call upon you in hope, look kindly on your servants (N. and N.), who departed this life confessing your name, and number them among your saints for evermore. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. Or: Almighty God and Father, by the mystery of the cross, you have made us strong; by the sacrament of the resurrection you have sealed us as your own. Look kindly upon your servants, now freed from the bonds of mortality, and count them among your saints in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. Or: For one person Almighty God and Father, it is our certain faith that your Son, who died on the cross, was raised from the dead, the first fruits of all who have fallen asleep. Grant that through this mystery your servant N., who has gone to his/her rest in Christ, may share in the joy of his resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. Or: For the blessing of a gravestone or monument O God, by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest, bless this gravestone

with which we mark the resting place of N. May he/she have everlasting life and rejoice in you with your saints for ever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. CONCLUDING RITE The minister says: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. R. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. R. Amen. May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. R. Amen. A priest or deacon adds: May the peace of God, which is beyond all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. R. Amen. Then he blesses all present. And may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. R. Amen. The service may be concluded by a suitable psalm or other song. VESPERS FOR THE DEAD

LECTIO DIVINA

VARIOUS PRAYERS

COMMENDATION OF THE DYING