During a wake it may happen that family members would like to have a structured time of prayer beside the deceased. Sometimes, however, they find it difficult because they can’t find the words or because no-one feels comfortable taking the lead. In these circumstances, the rosary – even a single decade – is the ideal prayer to use. But if the family would like a more elaborate prayer session, they might consider using the following suggestions.
Let one member of the family or a family friend take the lead, as people gather round the coffin. Wait until everyone is gathered near the bed or coffin. Then ask one person to light a candle in the centre of the group.
All
Leader
READINGS
Choose one of the following readings. Perhaps the family will gather at different times during the wake, making use of a different reading each time. The reader should call for a moment of silent pondering after the the reading, before moving on to the prayers.
1. A Reading from The Book of Ecclesiastes
To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven;
A time to be born, a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance;
A time to keep and a time to cast away.
This is the Word of the Lord.All: Thanks be to God
Pause for silent reflection.
All
2. A Reading from the Prophet Isaiah
But now, thus says the Lord who created you;
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name and you are mine.
When you pass through the water, I will be with you;
In the river you shall not drown.
When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned;
The flames shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God, your Saviour.
This is the Word of the Lord.All: Thanks be to God
Pause for silent reflection.
All: Amen
3. A Reading from the Gospel of St. Matthew
Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Pause for silent reflection.
Prayer: Lord, the loss of our beloved XX is a weight and burden to us who mourn him/her. In this time of mourning we need to meet you who are meek and humble of heart. Give us rest for ourselves and bring XX into your presence forever. May we all be united one day in the love of your divine heart. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Leader
Lord hear us
All: Lord, graciously hear us.
Leader: As we grieve we know that at this very time others are grieving great losses too. Teach us to be sensitive to the sufferings and pains of others. Help us to take strength from the community of our brothers and sisters in the faith.
Lord hear us
All: Lord, graciously hear us.
Leader: We pray for those others, whom we may not know, whom XX touched during his/her life. May we all be united one day in the joy of Heaven.
Lord hear us
All: Lord, graciously hear us.
Leader: We pray for anyone whom XX offended against during his/her life. We pray that you will heal their hurt. Lead us all to the harmony and peace of God’s children.
Lord hear us
All: Lord, graciously hear us.
Leader: We pray for the whole people of God. Give us all the grace, in our own neighbourhood and throughout the world to be a light of truth, justice and love.
Lord hear us
All: Lord, graciously hear us.
At this point the Leader should invite all present to voice a particular prayer.
Leader: Let us pray together in the words that Jesus taught us.
All: Our Father…
All: Glory be to the Father…
Leader: Let us pray:
Lord God, you are compassion and love;
Our loved one, XX, has been called home to you.Welcome him/her into the love of heaven; console us in our loss and make us truly grateful for all he/she was to us in life.
Fill our home now empty with his/her loss with your love and care.
Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen
A decade of the rosary would be appropriate here.
Leader: The first glorious mystery of the rosary: “The Resurrection”.
: Lord we have loved XX in this life and will sorely miss him/her. Out of that love we pray that you take him/her to yourself, forgive his/her sins and give him/her eternal joy with you.: Amen All: Thanks be to GodPrayer: Lord, we are grieving now for someone we loved and cherished. The experience of death and bereavement can stir up in us feelings of fear for the future andlack of confidence. Renew our confidence that you are always with us no matter what trials face us now or in the future. We ask this through Christ our Lord. : Amen Prayer: We have known the time for planting, for laughing and for dancing. The joys of happier days can never be taken from us. Let those joys soften the pain of our suffering now. May our acceptance of this time of sadness help to prepare us for future joys with you and with XX in your Kingdom of peace and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.Leader: We comfort ourselves by listening to a short extract from the Word of God.
: We gather as family and friends who loved XX in this life. Now that he/she has gone from us we come into the Lord’s presence to remember and give thanks for the good the Lord has done in him/her and the richness that we have received. We also ask the Lord’s forgiveness forall his/her sins and entrust his/her soul to the tender mercy of God. : In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
