All Souls Day - November 2
GATHERING
Leader:
Praise be to Almighty God, who raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
Blessed be God forever.
Blessed be God forever.
We gather to pray for our sisters and brothers who have gone before us this year. They have ended their service on earth and passed from death to new life in company with Christ. We pray that God may welcome them and shine His face upon them in with all
the saints of heaven.
Let us listen to the words from the book of Wisdom:
SCRIPTURE
Reader: Wisdom 3:1-9
Lectura del libro de la Sabiduría:
Las almas de los justos están en las manos de Dios
y no los alcanzará ningún tormento.
Los insensatos pensaban que los justos habían muerto,
que su salida de este mundo era una desgracia
y su salida de entre
nosotros, una completa destrucción.
Pero los justos están en paz.
La gente pensaba que sus sufrimientos eran un castigo,
pero ellos esperaban confiadamente la inmortalidad.
Después de breves sufrimientos
recibirán una abundante recompensa,
pues Dios los puso a prueba
y los halló
dignos de sí.
Los probó como oro en el crisol
y los aceptó como un holocausto agradable.
En el día del juicio brillarán los justos
como chispas que se propagan en un cañaveral.
Juzgarán a las naciones y dominarán a los pueblos,
y el Señor reinará eternamente sobre ellos.
Los que confían en el Señor comprenderán la verdad
y los que son fieles a su amor permanecerán a su lado,
porque Dios ama a sus elegidos y cuida de ellos.
Palabra de dios.
Te alabamos, Señor.
English version if desired
A reading from the book of Wisdom:
The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
they shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the LORD shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Reader:
John 6:37-40
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John:
Jesus said to the crowds:
“Everything that the Father gives me will come to me,
and I will not reject anyone who comes to me,
because I came down from heaven not to do my own will
but the will of the one who sent me.
And
this is the will of the one who sent me,
that I should not lose anything of what he gave me,
but that I should raise it on the last day.
For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him
may have eternal life,
and I shall raise him on the last day.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
PREACHING
INTERCESSIONS
Leader:
We bring our prayers to God as we remember those who have gone before us in eternal life.
We pray for all who experienced especially painful deaths, particularly victims of violence, natural disaster, and covid-19, may they be brought to rest in God’s loving arms and the comfort of God’s peace. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for those who died suddenly, unexpectedly, or at a young age. May they be comforted with the eternal happiness of God’s tender gaze. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for those children who returned to God before having the opportunity to meet their parents in person. May God relish and delight in them, as their loved ones would have, and may God comfort those who feel the loss. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for the family and friends of the dead. As they struggle with the many faces of grief, may God grant them the courage to continue to work through it, and may they feel the love and support of their communities. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray in gratitude for the front-line caregivers and others in Catholic health care who passed away in service this past year. May we remember and emulate their selflessness, humility, and commitment to those who are ill. In your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for the medical teams, families, and others who care for the sick and dying. May they see the face of God the people they care for. Give them the grace to accompany suffering with courage. Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
LITANY BLESSING OF THE NAMES
Leader:
Together with all the saints, we pray for those who have gone before us in the service of Catholic health care, especially those whose names are kept in this year’s memorial book.
Reader:
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Leader:
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for them
Saint Michael, pray for them
Saint John the Baptist, pray for them
Reader:
Saint Joseph, pray for them
Saint Peter, pray for them
Saint Paul, pray for them
Leader:
Saint Andrew, pray for them
Saint Mary of Magdala, pray for them
Saint Stephen, pray for them
Reader:
Saint Ann, pray for them
Saint Teresa, pray for them
Saint Catherine, pray for them
Leader:
Saint Frances Cabrini, pray for them
Saint Elizabeth Seton, pray for them
All holy men and women, pray for them
Reader:
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
Leader:
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy Lord, have mercy
With Christ there is mercy and fullness of redemption; let us pray as Jesus taught us:
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.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
forever.
Amen
CLOSING PRAYER
Leader:
Into your hands, God of mercies, we commend our brothers and sisters in the sure hope that together with all who have died in Christ, they shall rise with him on the last day.
We give thanks for the blessing of life which you bestowed upon them in this life; they are signs of your goodness and our fellowship with the saints in Christ.
Merciful God, turn toward us and listen to our prayers. Open the gates of heaven to your servants and help us who remain a comfort to one another and t carry on in the good work we shared until we all meet in Christ in your holy and eternal presence.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Additional Resources
For celebrations with colleagues and in your homes, CHA is pleased to offer several resources: