Pastoral Care
of the Sick

Contents

Pastoral Care of the Sick

Greeting

Penitential Act

Liturgy of the Word

Communion

Prayer after Communion

Concluding Rite & Blessing

Anointing of the Sick

Instruction

Sprinkling With Holy Water

Liturgy of the Word

Liturgy of Anointing

Litany

Laying on of Hands

Thanksgiving over blessed Oil

Blessing of Oil

Anointing

Prayer after Anointing

The Lord’s Prayer

Pastoral Care of the Dying

Apostolic Pardon

Liturgy of the Word

Litany

Communion as Viaticum

Commendation of the Dying

Short Texts

Litany of the saints

Prayer of Commendation

Prayer after Death

Prayer For The Family And Friends

Longer Readings from Sacred Scripture

Full Litany of the Saints

Greeting

The minister greets the sick person and the others present.

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

Peace be with you (this house) and with all who live here.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

And with your spirit.

Penitential Act

The minister invites the sick person and all present to join in the penitential rite, using these or similar words:

To prepare ourselves for this celebration, let us call to mind our sins.

Lord Jesus, you healed the sick:
Lord, have mercy.       Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, you forgave sinners:
Christ have mercy.       Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you give us yourself to heal us and bring us strength:
Lord, have mercy.       Lord, have mercy.

or

I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

The minister concludes the penitential rite with the following:

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins,

and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

Liturgy of the Word

The word of God is proclaimed by one of those present or by the minister.

John 6:51

A reading from the holy gospel according to John

Jesus says:

‘I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.

Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever;

and the bread that I shall give

is my flesh, for the life of the world.’

John 14:6

A reading from the holy gospel according to John

Jesus says:

‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.

No one can come to the Father except through me.’

John 15:5

A reading from the holy gospel according to John

Jesus says: ‘I am the vine, you are the branches.

Whoever remains in me, with me in him,

bears fruit in plenty;

for cut off from me you can do nothing.’

John 6:54-58

A reading from the holy gospel according to John

Jesus says:

‘Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life,

and I shall raise them up on the last day.

For my flesh is real food

and my blood is real drink.

The one who eats my flesh and drinks my blood

lives in me, and I live in them.

As I, who am sent by the living Father,

myself draw life from the Father,

so whoever eats me will draw life from me.

This is the bread come down from heaven;

not like the bread our ancestors ate:

they are dead,

but anyone who eats this bread
will live for ever.’

1 John 4:16

A reading from the first letter of John

We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves.

God is love and anyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in him.

Psalm 101 (102)

O Lord, hear my prayer; let my cry come to you.

O Lord, listen to my prayer and let my cry for help reach you.

Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress.

Turn your ear towards me and answer me quickly when I call.

O Lord, hear my prayer; let my cry come to you.

He has broken my strength in mid-course; he has shortened the days of my life.

I say to God ‘Do not take me away before my days are complete,

you, whose days last from age to age.

O Lord, hear my prayer; let my cry come to you.

Let this be written for ages to come

that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord;

for the Lord leaned down from his sanctuary on high.

He looked down from heaven to the earth

that he might hear the groans of the prisoners

and free those condemned to die.

O Lord, hear my prayer; let my cry come to you.

Psalm 26 (27)

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink?

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

When evil-doers draw near to devour my flesh,

it is they, my enemies and foes, who stumble and fall.

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

For there he keeps me safe in his tent in the day of evil.

He hides me in the shelter of his tent, on a rock he sets me safe.

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Brief Response

I am the living bread come down from heaven.

If you eat this bread you will live for ever.

The bread I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.

Communion

The minister shows the eucharist to those present, saying:

Behold the bread of life.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.

Jesus Christ is food for our journey and the centre of the banquet. Receive these holy gifts with thanksgiving.

The sick person and all who are to receive communion say:

Lord, I am not worthy to enter under your roof,

but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Brief Responses

How holy this feast in which Christ is our food:

his passion is recalled; grace fills our hearts;

and we receive a pledge of the glory to come.

How gracious you are, Lord:
your gift of bread from heaven

reveals a Father’s love and brings us perfect joy.

You fill the hungry with good things

and send the rich away empty.

Prayer after Communion

6 OPTIONS >>>

Let us pray.       (silence)

God our Father, you have called us to share the one bread and one cup

and so become one in Christ.

Help us to live in him that we may bear fruit,

rejoicing that he has redeemed the world.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.       Amen.

All-powerful God,
you nourish us through your holy gift.

Pour out your Spirit upon us

and in the strength of this food from heaven

keep us single-minded in your service.

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.       Amen.

Father, your Son accepted our sufferings
to teach us the virtue of patience in human illness. May all who suffer pain, illness, or disease realise that they have been chosen to be saints and know that they are joined to Christ in his suffering for the salvation of the world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.       Amen.

All-powerful and ever-living God, the lasting health of all who believe in you,

hear us as we ask your loving help for the sick; restore their health, that they may again offer joyful thanks in your Church.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.       Amen.

All-powerful and ever-living God,

we find security in your forgiveness.

Give us serenity and peace of mind;

may we rejoice in your gifts of kindness

and use them always for your glory and our good.

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.       Amen.

All-powerful and ever-living God,

may the body and blood of Christ your Son

be for our brothers and sisters

a lasting remedy for body and soul.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.      Amen.

Concluding Rite & Blessing

The minister may give a blessing. One of the following may be used.

2 OPTIONS >>>

All praise and glory is yours, Lord our God,

for you have called us to serve you in love.

Bless those who bear this illness

in union with your Son’s obedient suffering.

Restore them to health,
and lead them to glory.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.       Amen.

Or             (In Advanced Age)

All praise and glory are yours, Lord our God,

for you have called us to serve you in love.

Bless all who have grown old in your service

and give them strength and courage

to continue to follow Jesus your Son.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.       Amen

The minister invokes God’s blessing and makes the sign of the cross while saying:

May the Lord bless us,

protect us from all evil,

and bring us to everlasting life.       Amen.

or

May God Our Father bless you.
May God the Son heal you.
May God the holy Spirit enlighten you.

May almighty God bless and protect us,

In the name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

or

May the Lord be with you to protect you.
May he guide you and give you strength.
May he watch over you, keep you in his care,
and bless you with his peace.

Anointing of the Sick

Instruction

My dear friends, we are gathered here in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who is present among us. As the gospels relate, the sick came to him for healing: moreover he loves us so much that he died for our sake. Through the apostle James, he has commanded us:

‘Are there any who are sick among you? Let them send for the priests of the Church, and let the priests pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick persons, and the Lord will raise them up; and if they have committed any sins, their sins will be forgiven them.’

Let us therefore commend our sick to the grace and power of Jesus, that he may save them and raise them up.

Sprinkling With Holy Water

If it seems desirable, the priest may sprinkle the sick person and those present with holy water. One of the following may be used:

A      The Lord is our Shepherd and leads us to streams of living water.

B      Like a stream in parched land,
may the grace of the Lord refresh our lives.

C      Let this water call to mind our baptism into Christ, who by his death and resurrection has redeemed us.

Liturgy of the Word

2 OPTIONS >>>

Matthew 11:25–30

From the holy gospel according to Matthew

Jesus exclaimed,

‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do.

Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Luke 7:19–23

From the holy gospel according to Luke

The healing hand of Christ is a sign of the presence of God; that same hand is extended to us in this sacrament now, to console and strengthen us.

John, summoning two of his disciples, sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or must we wait for someone else?’ When the men reached Jesus they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you, to ask, “Are you the one who is to come or have we to wait for someone else?”‘

It was just then that he cured many people of diseases and afflictions and of evil spirits, and gave the gift of sight to many who were blind. Then he gave the messengers their answer,

‘Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the Good News is proclaimed to the poor and happy is the one who does not lose faith in me.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Liturgy of Anointing

Litany

My brothers and sisters, in our prayer of faith let us seek compassion and healing on all God’s family.

Come and strengthen them through this holy anointing:

Lord have mercy.      Lord, have mercy.

Free them from all harm:

Lord, have mercy.       Lord, have mercy.

Free them from sin and all temptation:

Lord have mercy.       Lord, have mercy.

Relieve the sufferings of all the sick:

Lord, have mercy.       Lord, have mercy.

Assist all those dedicated to the care of the sick:

Lord, have mercy.       Lord, have mercy.

Give life and health to those on whom we lay our hands in your name:

Lord, have mercy.       Lord, have mercy.

Laying on of Hands

In silence, the priest lays his hands on the head of the sick person.

Thanksgiving over blessed Oil

If the oil is already blessed:

Praise to you, God, the almighty Father.

You sent your Son to live among us and bring us salvation. Blessed be God!

Blessed be God who heals us in Christ.

Praise to you, God, the only-begotten Son.

You humbled yourself to share in our humanity

and you heal our infirmities. Blessed be God!

Blessed be God who heals us in Christ.

Praise to you, God, the Holy Spirit, the Consoler.

Your unfailing power gives us strength

in our bodily weakness. Blessed be God!

Blessed be God who heals us in Christ.

God of mercy, ease the sufferings and comfort the weakness of your servants, whom the Church anoints with this holy oil. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Blessing of Oil

If the oil needs to be blessed:

Let us pray.

God of all consolation, you chose and sent your Son to heal the world.

Graciously listen to our prayer of faith:

send the power of your Holy Spirit, the Consoler,

into this precious oil, this soothing ointment,

this rich gift, this fruit of the earth.

Bless this oil + and sanctify it for our use.

Make this oil a remedy for all who are anointed with it;

heal them in body, in soul, and in spirit,

and deliver them from every affliction.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Anointing

The priest anoints the sick person with the blessed oil.
First, he anoints the forehead, saying:

Through this holy anointing

may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Then he anoints the hands, saying:

May the Lord who frees you from sin

save you and raise you up.

Amen.

The sacramental form is said only once, for the anointing of the forehead and hands, and is not repeated.

Prayer after Anointing

4 OPTIONS >>>

Let us pray.

Father in heaven,       General

through this holy anointing

grant N. comfort in their suffering.

When they are afraid, give them courage,

when afflicted, give them patience,

when dejected, afford them hope,

and when alone, assure them of the support of your holy people.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

or             In mild sickness

Lord Jesus Christ, our Redeemer,

by the grace of your Holy Spirit

cure the weakness of your servant N.

Heal their sickness and forgive their sins;

expel all afflictions of mind and body;

mercifully restore them to full health,

and enable them to resume their former duties, for you are Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

or            In extreme or terminal illness

Lord Jesus Christ,

you chose to share our human nature,

to redeem all people, and to heal the sick.

Look with compassion upon your servant N.,

whom we have anointed in your name with this holy oil

for the healing of their body and spirit.

Support them with your power,

comfort them with your protection,

and give them the strength to fight against evil.

Since you have given them a share in your own passion,

help them to find hope in suffering,

for you are Lord for ever and ever.      Amen.

or      In advanced age

God of mercy, look kindly on your servant N.
who has grown weak under the burden of years.

In this holy anointing they ask for healing in body and soul.

Fill them with the strength of your Holy Spirit.

Keep them firm in faith and serene in hope,

so that they may give us all an example of patience and joyfully witness to the power of your love.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.      Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

At the Saviour's command, we dare to pray:

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.

Pastoral Care
of the Dying

Apostolic Pardon

201 At the conclusion of the sacrament of penance or the penitential rite, the priest may give the apostolic pardon for the dying, using one of the following.

Through the holy mysteries of our redemption,

may almighty God release you from all punishments

in this life and in the life to come.

May he open to you the gates of paradise and welcome you to everlasting joy.      Amen.

or

By the authority which the Apostolic See has given me,

I grant you a full pardon and the remission of all your sins

in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit.

Liturgy of the Word

John 6:54-55

A reading from the holy gospel according to John

Jesus says:

‘Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood

has eternal life,

and I shall raise him up on the last day.

For my flesh is real food

and my blood is real drink.’

John 14:23

A reading from the holy gospel according to John

Jesus says:

‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,

and my Father will love him,

and we shall come to him

and make our home with him.’

John 15:4

A reading from the holy gospel according to John

Jesus says:

Make your home in me, as I make mine in you.

As a branch cannot bear fruit all by itself,

but must remain part of the vine,

neither can you unless you remain in me.’

1 Corinthians 11:26

A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians

Until the Lord comes, therefore, every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming his death.

Litany

My brothers and sisters, with one heart let us call on our Saviour Jesus Christ.

You loved us to the very end
and gave yourself over to death
in order to give us life.

For our brother/sister, Lord, we pray:

Lord, hear our prayer.

You said to us: “All who eat my flesh and drink my blood will live for ever.”

For our brother/sister, Lord, we pray:

Lord, hear our prayer.

You invite us to join in the banquet where pain and sorrow, sadness and separation will be no more.

For our brother/sister, Lord, we pray:

Lord, hear our prayer.

Communion as Viaticum

Immediately, or after giving communion to the sick person, the minister adds:

May the Lord Jesus Christ protect you

and lead you to eternal life. Amen.

Commendation
of the Dying

Short Texts

Romans 8:35

Who can separate us from the love of Christ?

Romans 14:8

Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

2 Corinthians 5:1

We have an everlasting home in heaven.

1 Thessalonians 4:17

We shall be with the Lord for ever.

1 John 3:2

We shall see God as he really is.

1 John 3:14

We have passed from death to life because we love each another.

Psalm 24:1

To you, Lord, I lift up my soul.

Psalm 26:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Psalm 26:13

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Psalm 41:3

My soul thirsts for the living God.

Psalm 22:4

Though I walk in the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.

Matthew 25:34

Come, blessed of my Father, says the Lord Jesus, and take possession of the kingdom prepared for you.

Luke 23:43

The Lord Jesus says, today you will be with me in paradise.

John 14:2

In my Father’s home there are many dwelling places, says the Lord Jesus.

John 14:2–3

The Lord Jesus says, I go to prepare a place for you, and I will come again and will take you to myself.

John 17:24

I desire that where I am, they also may be with me, says the Lord Jesus.

John 6:40

Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life.

Psalm 30:5

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Acts 7:59

Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

Holy Mary, pray for me.

Saint Joseph, pray for me.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,

assist me in my last agony.

Litany of the saints

A brief form of the litany may be prayed. Other saints may be added, including the patron saints of the dying person, of the family, and of the parish; saints to whom the dying person may have a special devotion may also be included.

Holy Mary, Mother of God       pray for us

Holy angels of God       pray for us

Saint John the Baptist       pray for us

Saint Joseph       pray for us

Saint Peter and Saint Paul       pray for us

Other saints may be included here.

All holy men and women       pray for us

Prayer of Commendation

When the moment of death seems near, some of the following prayers may be said:

4 OPTIONS >>>

Go forth, Christian soul, from this world

in the name of God the almighty Father,

who created you,

in the name of Jesus Christ,
Son of the living God,

who suffered for you,

in the name of the Holy Spirit,

who was poured out upon you:

go forth, faithful Christian.

May you live in peace this day,

may your home be with God in Zion,

with Mary and with Joseph, and all the angels and saints. Amen.

or

Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world,

we pray for your servant,

and commend them to your mercy.

For their sake you came down from heaven;

receive them now into the joy of your kingdom.

For though all sin, they have believed in God

and have worshipped their Creator. Amen.

or

I commend you, to almighty God,

and entrust you to your Creator.
May you return to God who formed you from the dust of the earth.

May holy Mary, the angels, and all the saints come to meet you as you go forth from this life.

May Jesus who was crucified for you
bring you freedom and peace.

May Jesus who died for you
admit you into his garden of paradise.

May Jesus, the true Shepherd,
acknowledge you as one of his flock.

May he forgive all your sins,
and set you among those he has chosen.

May you see your Redeemer face to face,
and enjoy the vision of God for ever.

or

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy,

hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.

To you we cry, the children of Eve;

to you we send up our sighs,

mourning and weeping in this land of exile.

Turn, then, most gracious advocate

your eyes of mercy towards us;

lead us home at last and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus:

O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Pray for us, O holy mother of God.

That we may be made worthy of the promises of God.

Prayer after Death

221 When death has occurred, one or more of the following prayers may be said:

6 OPTIONS >>>

Saints of God, come to their aid!

Come to meet them, angels of the Lord!

Receive their soul and present them to God the Most High.

May Christ, who called you, take you to himself;

may angels lead you to Abraham’s side.

Receive their soul and present them to God the Most High.

Give them eternal rest, O Lord,

and may your light shine on them for ever.

Receive their soul and present them to God the Most High.

The following prayer is added:      Let us pray.

All-powerful and merciful God,

we commend to you N, your servant.

In your mercy and love,

blot out any sins they have committed

through human weakness.

In this world they have died:

let them live with you for ever.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.       Amen.

B

My soul hopes in the Lord.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord,
Lord. hear my voice!
O let your ears be attentive
to the voice of my pleading.

My soul is waiting for the Lord,
I count on his word.
My soul is longing for the Lord
more than watchman for daybreak.

Because with the Lord there is mercy
and fullness of redemption,
Israel indeed he will redeem
from all its iniquity.

The following prayer is added:

Let us pray.

God of love,
welcome into your presence your son/daughter N, whom you have called from this life.

Release them from all their sins, bless them with eternal light and peace, raise them up to live for ever with all your saints in the glory of the resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

C

Lord, remember me in your kingdom.

The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me,
to revive my drooping spirit.

He guides me along the right path;
he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort.

You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever.

The following prayer is added:      Let us pray.

God of mercy, hear our prayers and be merciful to your son/daughter,

whom you have called from this life.

Welcome them into the company of your saints, in the kingdom of light and peace.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.       Amen.

D

Almighty and eternal God,

hear our prayers for your son/daughter N.,

whom you have called from this life to yourself.

Grant them light, happiness, and peace.

Let them pass in safety through the gates of death,

and live for ever with all your saints

in the light you promised to Abraham

and to all his descendants in faith.

Guard them from all harm and on that great day of resurrection and reward

raise them up with all your saints.

Pardon their sins and give them eternal life in your kingdom.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.      Amen.

E

Loving and merciful God,

we entrust our brother/sister to your mercy.

You loved them greatly in this life:

now that they are freed from all its cares,

give them happiness and peace for ever.

The old order has passed away:

welcome them now into paradise

where there will be no more sorrow,

no more weeping or pain,

but only peace and joy

with Jesus, your Son,

and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.       Amen.

F

God of our destiny,
into your hands we commend N.

We are confident that with all who have died in Christ they will be raised to life on the last day and live with Christ for ever.

Lord, hear our prayer: welcome them into paradise and help us to comfort each other

with the assurance of our faith until we all meet in Christ to be with you and with N. for ever.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.      Amen.

Prayer For The Family And Friends

One of the following prayers may be said:

2 OPTIONS >>>

Let us pray.

God of all consolation, in your unending love and mercy for us

you turn the darkness of death

into the dawn of new life.

Show compassion to your people in their sorrow.

[Be our refuge and our strength

to lift us from the darkness of this grief

to the peace and light of your presence.]

Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by dying for us, conquered death

and by rising again, restored life.

May we then go forward eagerly to meet him,

and after our life on earth

be reunited with our brothers and sisters

where every tear will be wiped away.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.       R. Amen.

or

Lord Jesus, our Redeemer,

you willingly gave yourself up to death

so that all people might be saved

and pass from death into a new life.

Listen to our prayers,

look with love on your people

who mourn and pray for their brother/sister N.

Lord Jesus, holy and compassionate:

forgive his/her sins.

By dying you opened the gates of life

for those who believe in you:

do not let our brother/sister be parted from you,

but by your glorious power

give him/her light, joy, and peace in heaven

where you live for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

Longer Readings
from Sacred Scripture

13 OPTIONS >>>

Job 19:23–27

A reading from the book of Job

Job’s act of faith is a model for our own; God is the God of the living.

Ah, would that these words of mine were written down,

inscribed on some monument

with iron chisel and engraving tool,

cut into the rock for ever.

This I know; that my Avenger lives,

and he, the Last, will take his stand on earth.

After my awaking, he will set me close to him,

and from my flesh I shall look on God.

He whom I shall see will take my part:

these eyes will gaze on him and find him not aloof.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd;

there is nothing I shall want.

Fresh and green are the pastures

where he gives me repose.

Near restful waters he leads me,

to revive my drooping spirit.

He guides me along the right path;

he is true to his name.

If I should walk in the valley of darkness

no evil would I fear.

You are there with your crook and your staff;

with these you give me comfort.

You have prepared a banquet for me

in the sight of my foes.

My head you have anointed with oil;

my cup is overflowing.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me

all the days of my life.

In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell

for ever and ever.

Psalm 25

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Lord, make me know your ways.

Lord, teach me your paths.

Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:

for you are God my Saviour.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

In you I hope all day long

because of your goodness, O Lord.

Remember your mercy, Lord,

and the love you have shown from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth.

In your love remember me.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

The Lord is good and upright.

He shows the path to those who stray,

he guides the humble in the right path,

He teaches his way to the poor.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

His ways are faithfulness and love

for those who keep his covenant and law.

Lord, for the sake of your name

forgive my guilt, for it is great.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

Psalm 91

The one who dwells in the shelter of the Most High / and abides in the shade of the Almighty / says to the Lord: ‘My refuge,

my stronghold, my God in whom I trust!’

It is he who will free you from the snare

of the fowler who seeks to destroy you;

he will conceal you with his pinions

and under his wings you will find refuge.

You will not fear the terror of the night

nor the arrow that flies by day,

nor the plague that prowls in the darkness

nor the scourge that lays waste at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side,

ten thousand fall at your right,

you, it will never approach;

his faithfulness is buckler and shield.

Your eyes have only to look

to see how the wicked are repaid,

you who have said: ‘Lord, my refuge!’

and have made the Most High your dwelling.

Upon you no evil shall fall,

no plague approach where you dwell.

For you has he commanded his angels,

to keep you in all your ways.

They shall bear you upon their hands

lest you strike your foot against a stone.

On the lion and the viper you will tread

and trample the young lion and the dragon.

Since they cling to me in love, I will free them;
protect them for they know my name.

When they call I shall answer: ‘I am with you,’

I will save them in distress / and give them glory. / With length of life I will content them; / I shall let them see my saving power.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the mountains;

from where shall come my help?

My help shall come from the Lord

who made heaven and earth.

May God never allow you to stumble!

Let them sleep not, your guard.

No, God sleeps not nor slumbers, Israel’s guard.

The Lord is your guard and your shade;

at your right side he stands.

By day the sun shall not smite you

nor the moon in the night.

The Lord will guard you from evil,

he will guard your soul.

The Lord will guard your going and coming

both now and for ever.

1 John 4:16

We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves.

God is love and anyone who lives in love lives in God,

and God lives in them.

Revelation 21:1–5. 6–7

A reading from the book of the Apocalypse

I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the holy city, and the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, as beautiful as a bride all dressed for her husband. Then I heard a loud voice call from the throne, ‘You see this city? Here God lives among men. He will make his home among them; they shall be his people, and he will be their God; his name is God-with-them. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness. The world of the past has gone.’

Then the One sitting on the throne spoke: ‘Now I am making the whole of creation new’, he said. ‘Write this: that what I am saying is sure and will come true.’ And then he said, ‘It is already done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give water from the well of life free to anybody who is thirsty; it is the rightful inheritance of the one who proves victorious; and I will be his God and he a son to me.’

Matthew 25:1–13

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus bids us he prepared for eternal life.

Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples:

‘The kingdom of heaven will be like this: Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

Five of them were foolish and five of them were sensible: the foolish ones did take their lamps, but they brought no oil, whereas the sensible ones took flasks of oil as well as their lamps.

The bridegroom was late, and they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a cry, “The bridegroom is here! Go out and meet him.”

At this, all those bridesmaids woke up and trimmed their lamps, and the foolish ones said to the sensible ones, “Give us some of your oil: our lamps are going out.”

But they replied, “There may not be enough for us and for you; you had better go to those who sell it and buy some for yourselves.” They had gone off to buy it when the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall and the door was closed.

The other bridesmaids arrived later. “Lord, Lord,” they said, “open the door for us.” But he replied, “I tell you solemnly, I do not know you.” So stay awake, because you do not know either the day or the hour.’

Luke 22:39–46

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Jesus is alive to our pain and sorrow,
because faithfulness to his Father’s will cost him life itself.

Jesus left the upper room to make his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, with the disciples following. When they reached the place he said to them, ‘Pray not to be put to the test.’

Then he withdrew from them, about a stone’s throw away, and knelt down and prayed. ‘Father,’ he said, ‘if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.’ Then an angel appeared to him coming from heaven to give him strength. In his anguish he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

When he rose from prayer he went to the disciples and found them sleeping for sheer grief. ‘Why are you asleep?’ he said to them. ‘Get up and pray not to be put to the test.’

Luke 23:44–49

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Jesus’ death is witnessed by his friends.

It was now about the sixth hour and, with the sun eclipsed, a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. The veil of the Temple was torn right down the middle; and when Jesus had cried out in a loud voice, he said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ With these words he breathed his last.

When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said, ‘This was a great and good man.’ And when all the people who had gathered for the spectacle saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts.

All his friends stood at a distance; so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee, and they saw all this happen.

Luke 24:1–8

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke

Jesus is alive; he gives us eternal life with the Father.

On the first day of the week, at the first sign of dawn, the women went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, but on entering discovered that the body of the Lord Jesus was not there. As they stood there not knowing what to think, two men in brilliant clothes suddenly appeared at their side. Terrified, the women lowered their eyes. But the two men said to them, ‘Why look among the dead for someone who is alive? He is not here; he is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee: that the Son of Man had to be handed over into the power of sinful men and be crucified, and rise again on the third day?’ And they remembered his words.

John 6:37–40

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus will raise his own from death and give them eternal life.

Jesus says:

‘All that the Father gives me will come to me,

and whoever comes to me

I shall not turn him away;

because I have come from heaven,

not to do my own will,

but to do the will of the one who sent me.

Now the will of him who sent me

is that I should lose nothing

of all that he has given to me,

and that I should raise it up on the last day.

Yes, it is my Father’s will

that whoever sees the Son and believes in him

shall have eternal life,

and that I shall raise him up on the last day.’

John 14:1–6. 23. 27

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

The love of Jesus can raise us up from the sorrow of death to the joy of eternal life.

Jesus said to the disciples:

‘Do not let your hearts be troubled.

Trust in God still, and trust in me.

There are many rooms in my Father’s house;

if there were not, I should have told you.

I am going now to prepare a place for you,

and after I have gone and prepared you a place,

I shall return to take you with me;

so that where I am you may be too.

You know the way to the place where I am going.’

Thomas said, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’

Jesus said:

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.

No one can come to the Father
except through me.’

‘If anyone loves me he will keep my word,

and my Father will love him,

and we shall come to him

and make our home with him.

‘Peace I bequeath to you,
my own peace I give you,
a peace the world cannot give,
this is my gift to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

Full Litany of the Saints

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 us

Holy angels of God       pray for us

Abraham, our father in faith       pray for us

David, leader of God’s people       pray for us

Saint John the Baptist       pray for us

Saint Joseph      pray for us

All holy patriarchs and prophets       pray for us

Saint Peter and Saint Paul       pray for us

Saint Andrew and Saint John       pray for us

Saint Mary Magdalene       pray for us

Saint Stephen and Saint Lawrence       pray for us

Saint Ignatius       pray for us

Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity       pray for us

Saint Gregory       pray for us

Saint Augustine and Saint Monica       pray for us

Saint Athanasius      pray for us

Saint Benedict       pray for us

Saint Francis and Saint Dominic       pray for us

Saint Francis Xavier       pray for us

Saint John Vianney       pray for us

Saint Catherine       pray for us

Saint Teresa of Jesus       pray for us

Saint John of the Cross      pray for us

Other saints may be included here.

All holy men and women       pray for us

Lord, be merciful      Lord, save your people

From all evil       Lord, save your people

From every sin       Lord, save your people

From Satan’s power       Lord, save your people

At the moment of death       Lord, save your people

From everlasting death       Lord, save your people

On the day of judgment       Lord, save your people

By your coming as a human       Lord, save your people

By your suffering and cross       Lord, save your people

By your death and rising to new life

      Lord, save your people

By your return in glory to the Father      

      Lord, save your people

By your gift of the Holy Spirit       Lord, save your people

By your coming again in glory      Lord, save your people

Be merciful to us sinners       Lord, hear our prayer

Bring them to eternal life,
first promised to them in baptism.      Lord, hear our prayer

Raise them on the last day,
for they have eaten the bread of life.      Lord, hear our prayer

Let them share in your glory,
for they have shared in your suffering and death      Lord, hear our prayer

Jesus, Son of the living God.

      Lord Jesus, hear our prayer