Monastery of St. Alphonsus
Prelude Romance – Gadfly Suite (D. Shostakovich 1906 -1975)
Song Jesus Remember Me (Taizé)
All sing: Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom
Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom
Reading Revelation 21:1-7
I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. God will dwell with them; they will be God’s peoples, and God himself will be with them; God will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’
Song Jerusalem (Kilmore Carol – 16th c.)
Jerusalem our happy home When shall we come to thee? When shall our sorrows have an end? Thy joys when shall we see?
Forever more the trees perfumed And ever more they spring And ever more the saints are glad And ever more they sing
Prayer Blessed John Henry Newman (1801-1890)
All say: May He support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest and peace at the last.
Song Do No Let Your Hearts be Troubled (David Haas)
All sing: Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Have faith in God and faith in me.
I will go forth to prepare a place for you and I’ll come back to take you with me that where I am you may also be.
Song Bist Du Bei Mir (G.H. Stölzel 1690 – 1749)
If you are with me, then I will go gladly unto death and to my rest.
Reading John 12:24
I tell you, most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest.
Song Ag Críost An Síol (Michael Sheehan, 1916/Seán Ó Riada)
All sing: Ag Críost an síol, ag Críost an fómhar,
In iothlainn Dé go dtugtar sinn.
Ag Críost an mhuir, ag Críost an t-iasc,
I líonta Dé go gcastar sinn
Ó fhás go haois, is ó aois go bás,
Do dhá láimh, a Chríost, anall tharainn.
Ó bhás go críoch, ní críoch ach athfhás,
I bParthas na nGrást go rabhaimid.
Reading Revelation 14:3
John, heard a voice from heaven say to me, ‘Write down: Happy are those who die in the Lord! Happy indeed, the Spirit says; now they can rest for ever after their work, since their good deeds go with them.’
Song Soon And Very Soon (Andrae Crouch Arr.)
Reflection Jalaluddin Rumi (1207 -1273)
I will soothe you and heal you, I will bring you roses. I too have been covered with thorns /The wound is the place where the light enters you
Song Be Still My Soul (J. Sibelius 1865-1957)
Reflection Stabat Mater (13th c.)
The sorrowful Mother stood full of tears by the Cross while her Son was hanging there…Who would not share her sorrow, seeing the loving Mother grieving with her Son?…Come then, Mother, fount of love, make me feel the strength of your sorrow so that I may mourn with you…Let me carry Christ’s death, the destiny of his Passion and meditate upon his wounds…
Christ, when it is time to pass away, grant that through your Mother I may come to the palm of victory… When my body dies, may my soul be granted the glory of paradise. Amen.
Song Lacrimosa (W. A. Mozart 1756-1791)
That day of tears and mourning……grant them rest
Reflection Guardian of the Grieving (Joyce Rupp)
Guardian of the Grieving,
You do much more than stand there
Being attentive to heart-sore spirits.
You lovingly embrace and closely guard
Those who feel bereft and lonely.
You vigilantly attend to each one
Lest they be overtaken by their sadness.
Your protective gaze of compassion
Softens the blows of their sorrow.
Guardian of those who have lost much,
Watch devotedly over those who mourn.
Song God Is (La Rue/Stevens)
Reflection Bede the Venerable (673-735)
Christ is the morning star who,
when the night of this world is past,
brings to his saints the promise of the light of life
and opens everlasting day.
Song Christ In Me Arise (Trevor Thomson)
All sing: Christ in me arise and dispel all the darkness
Christ in me arise with your power and your strength
Christ in me pour out your blessing and healing
Christ in me arise and I will rise with you.
Intercessions
Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and sits at the right hand of the Father where he intercedes for his Church. Confident that God hears the voices of those who trust in the Lord Jesus, we join our prayers to his:
Many friends and members of our families have gone before us and await the kingdom. Grant them an everlasting home with your Son. Lord Hear Us.
All: Lord, graciously hear us.
Those who mourn seek comfort and consolation. Heal their pain and dispel the darkness and doubt that come from grief. Lord Hear Us.
All: Lord, graciously hear us.
Throughout the world people die by violence, war, and famine each day. Show your mercy to those who suffer so unjustly these sins against your love, and gather them into the eternal kingdom of peace. Lord Hear Us.
All: Lord, graciously hear us.
God our shelter and our strength,
You listen in love to the cry of your people:
Hear the prayers we offer for our departed brothers and sisters.
Cleanse them from their sins
And grant them the fullness of redemption.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Song Think Of Me (Andrew Lloyd Webber)
Reflection On The Death Of The Beloved (John O’Donohue)
Though we cannot see you with outward eyes,
We know our soul’s gaze is upon your face,
Smiling back at us from within everything
To which we bring our best refinement,
Let us not look for you in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows
And music echoes eternal tones.
When orchids brighten the earth,
Darkest winter has turned to spring;
May this dark grief flower with hope
In every heart that loves you.
Reading Revelation 2:17
Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying … to everyone who conquers … I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.
Song May The Road Rise To Meet You (Lori True)
All sing: May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be at your back.
May the sunshine warm up on your face,
May the rain fall softly on your fields,
And until we meet again
May you keep safe in the gentle loving arms of God.