Mass on the Day of Burial
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered on the day of burial for our departed brother or sister in Christ. The Scriptures bid us, as members of the Mystical Body of Christ, to pray for the souls in Purgatory who are unable to pray for themselves: “It is a holy, and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins.” --- II Machabees xii Practicing Catholics, fasting, and in the state of grace, are invited to receive our Lord in Holy Communion (if It is distributed), and are asked to offer the graces of this Communion for the Faithful Departed. In accordance with instructions of Pope Pius XII, the congregation is encouraged to respond to the words of the priest [P] with those parts of the Mass marked [C]. These dialogs between priest and congregation are the sections here given in both English and Latin. Those sections printed only in English are read by the priest alone. Prayers at the Foot of the Altar [KNEEL]
The priest says the Confiteor alone. At its end, the server and congregation respond:
The server and congregation recite the Confiteor:
Let us pray. Take away from us our sins, O Lord, that we may enter with pure minds into the holy of holies. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. We beseech Thee, O Lord, by the merits of Thy saints, whose relics lie here, and of all the saints: deign in Thy mercy to pardon me of all my sins. Amen. At solemn Mass incense is blessed and the altar incensed Be thou blessed by Him in whose honor thou shalt be consumed. Amen. INTROIT: 4 Esdras ii: 34, 35
[STAND] Collect: Let us pray:
[SIT] EPISTLE: 1 Thessalonians iv: 13-18 A reading from the epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians.
GRADUAL: 4 Esdras ii: 34, 35
TRACT:
THE SEQUENCE
[STAND] GOSPEL: John xi: 21-27
At that time, Martha said to Jesus, “Lord if thou hadst been here, my brother would not have died. But, now also I know that whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give it to Thee.” Jesus said to her, “Thy brother shall rise again." Martha said to him, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, although he be dead, shall live; and everyone that liveth and believeth in Me, shall not die forever. Believest thou this?” And she said to Him, “Yea, Lord, I have believed that Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God, who art come into this world.”
THE OFFERTORY
The priest offers the bread: Accept, O holy Father, almighty and eternal God, this spotless host, which I, Thine unworthy servant, offer Thee, my living and true God, to atone for my numberless sins, offenses, and negligences; on behalf of all here present, and likewise for all faithful Christians living and dead, that it may profit me and them as a means of salvation unto life everlasting. Amen. He mingles wine and water, omitting the sign of the Cross: O God, who hast established the nature of man in wondrous dignity, and even more wondrously hast renewed it, grant that through the mystery of this water and wine, we may be made partakers of His divinity, who has deigned to become partaker of our humanity, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the union of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. He offers the wine: We offer unto Thee, O Lord, the chalice of salvation, humbly begging of Thy mercy that it may arise before Thy divine majesty with a pleasing fragrance, for our salvation and that of all the world. Amen. He offers the bread and wine as our sacrifice: In a humble spirit and a contrite heart, may we be accepted by Thee, O Lord, and may our sacrifice so be offered in Thy sight this day as to please Thee, O Lord God. Come, Thou Sanctifier, + almighty and eternal God, and bless this sacrifice prepared for the glory of Thine holy Name. + + + + + + + If the Mass is sung, incense may be offered at this point: By the intercession of blessed Michael the Archangel, standing at the right hand of the altar of incense, and of all His elect, may the Lord deign to bless this incense, and receive it as an odor of sweetness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. May this incense, blessed by Thee, arise before Thee, O Lord, and may Thy mercy come down upon us. My prayer be an incense offering in Thy sight, my uplifted hands as an evening sacrifice. Set, O Lord, a watch over my mouth, and a guard over the door of my lips. Permit my heart not to turn to evil, seeking pretexts for wickedness, with men who work iniquity. May the Lord enkindle in us the fire of His love, and the flame of everlasting charity. Amen. All stand if the congregation is incensed. + + + + + + + The Lavabo; The priest washes his hands: Ps. xxv: 6-12 I will wash my hands among the innocent, and will walk round Thine altar, O God. To hear the voice of Thy praise, and to tell Thy wondrous deeds. Lord, I love the beauty of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwells. Destroy not my soul with the impious, O God, nor my life with men of blood. In whose hands there is iniquity, whose right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I walk in my innocence, rescue me and be gracious to me. My foot is on the straight way, in assemblies will I bless Thee, O Lord. Accept, most holy Trinity, this offering which we are making to Thee in remembrance of the passion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, our Lord; and in honor of blessed Mary, ever virgin, blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and of these, and of all the saints; that it may add to their honor and aid our salvation; and may they deign to intercede in heaven for us who honor their memory here on earth. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. The priest turns to the people, saying:
Secret Prayer(s) Be merciful, O Lord, we beseech Thee, unto the soul of Thy servant [handmaid] N., for whom we offer this sacrifice of praise, humbly beseeching Thy majesty that, by these holy peace offerings, he [she] may attain to everlasting rest.
[STAND]
PREFACE It is truly meet and just, right, and availing unto salvation, that we should in all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty and everlasting God; through Christ our Lord. In whom the hope of a blessed resurrection hath shone upon us, that those afflicted by the certainty of dying, may be consoled by the promise of a future immortality. For unto Thy faithful, O Lord, life is changed, not taken away; and the abode of this earthly sojourn being dissolved, an eternal dwelling is prepared in heaven. And therefore with angels and archangels, with thrones and dominions, and with all the heavenly hosts, we sing a hymn to Thy glory, saying without ceasing:
[KNEEL] THE CANON OF THE MASS Therefore, most gracious Father, we humbly beg of Thee and entreat Thee, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, to deem acceptable and bless these gifts, these offerings, these holy and unspotted oblations; which we offer unto Thee in first instance for Thy Holy and Catholic Church, that Thou wouldst deign to give her peace and protection, to unite and guide her the whole world over; together with Thy servant N..., our Pope, N..., our Bishop; and all true believers who cherish the Catholic and Apostolic Faith. Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants and handmaids (name those for whom you wish to pray), and of all here present, whose faith is known to Thee, and likewise their devotion, on whose behalf we offer unto Thee, or who themselves offer unto Thee, this sacrifice of praise for themselves and all their own, for the good of their souls, for their hope of salvation and deliverance from all harm, and who pay Thee the homage which they owe Thee, eternal God, living and true. In the unity of holy fellowship we observe the memory first of all of the glorious and ever virgin Mary, mother of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ; next that of blessed Joseph, spouse of the same Virgin, and of Thy blessed Apostles and martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Thaddeus, of Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, and of all Thy saints, by whose merits and prayers grant that we may always be fortified by the help of Thy protection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. Graciously accept, then, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this service of our worship and that of all Thy household. Provide that our days be spent in Thy peace, save us from everlasting damnation, and cause us to be numbered in the flock Thou hast chosen. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Do Thou, O God, deign to bless what we offer, and make it approved, effective, right, and wholly pleasing in every way, that it may be, for our good, the Body and Blood of Thy dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Acting in the person of Christ, the priest Who, the day before He suffered, took bread into His holy and venerable hands, and having raised His eyes to heaven, unto Thee, O God, His Father almighty, giving thanks to Thee, blessed, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take ye all and eat of this. FOR THIS IS MY BODY The priest genuflects, raises the sacred Host for all to
adore, In like manner, when the supper was done, taking also this goodly chalice into His holy and venerable hands, again giving thanks to Thee, He blessed it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: Take ye all, and drink of this. FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, As often as you shall do these things, in memory of Me shall you do them. The priest genuflects, raises the chalice of the Precious
Blood Mindful, therefore, O Lord, not only of the blessed passion of the same Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, but also His resurrection from the dead, and finally His glorious ascension into heaven, we, Thy ministers, as also Thy holy people, offer unto Thy supreme majesty, of the gifts bestowed upon us, the pure Victim, the holy Victim, the all-perfect Victim; the holy Bread of life eternal, and the Chalice of unending salvation. And this do Thou deign to regard with gracious and kindly attention, and hold acceptable, as Thou didst deign to accept the offerings of Abel, Thy just servant, and the sacrifice of Abraham our Patriarch, and that which Thy chief priest Melchisedech offered unto Thee, a holy sacrifice and a spotless victim. Most humbly we implore Thee, almighty God, bid these offerings be brought by the hands of Thy holy angel unto Thine altar above; before the face of Thy divine majesty; that those of us who, by sharing in the Sacrifice of this altar, shall receive the most sacred Body and Blood of Thy Son, may be filled with every grace and heavenly blessing. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. Be mindful, O Lord, also of Thy servants and handmaids who have gone before us with the sign of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace. [Name the deceased for whom you wish to pray.] To these, O Lord, and to all who sleep in Christ, we beseech Thee to grant of Thy goodness, a place of comfort, light and peace. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. To us also, sinners, yet Thy servants, trusting in the greatness of Thy majesty, deign to grant some part and fellowship with Thy holy Apostles and martyrs: with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia, and all Thy saints; into whose company we implore Thee to admit us, not weighing our merits, but freely granting us pardon. Through Christ our Lord. Through whom, Lord, Thou dost ever create, hallow, fill with life, bless and bestow upon us all these good things. Through Him, and with Him, and in Him, is unto Thee, God the Father almighty, in the union of the Holy Ghost, all honor and glory...
Deliver us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, from all evils, past, present, and to come: and through the intercession of the glorious and blessed Mary, ever virgin, mother of God, together with Thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and Andrew, and all the saints, grant of Thy goodness, peace in our days, that aided by the riches of Thy mercy, we may be always free from sin, and safe from all disquiet... The priest breaks the host over the chalice and mingles the Body and Blood of our Lord: ... through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the union of the Holy Ghost, God.
May this mingling and hallowing of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ help us who receive it unto life everlasting. Amen.
[KNEEL] O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the living God: Who by the will of the Father, with the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, hast by Thy death given life to the world, deliver me by this, Thy most sacred Body and Blood from all my sins and from every evil. Make me always cling to Thy commands, and never permit me to be separated from Thee, Who with the same God the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, God, world without end. Amen. Let not the partaking of Thy Body, O Lord, Jesus Christ, which I, though unworthy, make bold to receive, turn to my judgement and condemnation, but by reason of Thy loving kindness, may it be to me a safeguard of both soul and body, and an effective remedy. Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the union of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen. I will take the Bread of heaven, and call upon the name of the Lord. Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof; speak but the word and my soul will be healed. 3x As the priest receives the sacred Host: May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul unto life everlasting. Amen. What return shall I make to the Lord for all that He has given me? I will take the chalice of salvation, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. Praising will I call upon the Lord, and I shall be saved from mine enemies. and then the Chalice May the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul unto life everlasting. Amen. If any of the congregation are to receive they should kneel at the Communion rail at this time. The Confíteor, Misereátur, and Indulgéntiam are recited as before.
We pass a few minutes, kneeling in thanksgiving. When the Blessed Sacrament is returned to the tabernacle we sit. COMMUNION HYMN
Let us pray: Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the soul of Thy servant [handmaid] N., which has departed out of this world, may be purified by this sacrifice, and delivered from sins, and may receive forgiveness and everlasting rest. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God...
May the tribute of my worship be pleasing to Thee, most holy Trinity, and grant that the sacrifice which I, all unworthy, have offered in the presence of Thy majesty, may be acceptable to Thee, and through Thy mercy obtain forgiveness for me and for whom I have offered it. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. [Stand] THE LAST GOSPEL:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God; and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was made nothing that has been made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness; and the darkness grasped it not. There was a man, one sent from God, whose name was John. This man came as a witness, to bear witness concerning the light, that all might believe through him. He was not himself the light, but was to bear witness to the light. It was the true light that enlightens every man who comes into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But to as many as received Him, He gave the power of becoming sons of God; to those who believe in His name: who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, not of the will of man, but of God. (genuflect) AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, AND DWELT AMONG US. And we saw His glory, glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
If no ceremony directly follows a low Mass, the Leonine prayers are said. If the absolution follows, they are omitted. THE ABSOLUTION Enter not into judgement with Thy servant, O Lord: for in Thy sight shall no man be justified, save Thou grant him remission of all his sins. Therefore, let not, we beseech Thee, the sentence Thou pronouncest in judgement fall heavily upon one whom the faithful prayer of Thy Christian people commends to Thee, but rather, by the help of Thy grace, may he [she] be found worthy to escape the judgement of condemnation, who in this lifetime was sealed with the seal of the holy Trinity. [P] Who livest and reignest, world without end. [C] Amen. The following Responsory is said or sung: [All] Deliver me, O Lord, from eternal death in that awful day, When the heavens and the earth shall be moved: When Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. [All] Dread and trembling have laid hold on me, and I fear exceedingly because of the judgement and the wrath to come. When the heavens and the earth shall be shaken. O that day, that day of wrath, of sore distress and of all wretchedness, that great and exceeding bitter day. When Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. [All] Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. [All] Deliver me, O Lord, from eternal death in that awful day, When the heavens and the earth shall be moved: When Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. [P] Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. The priest recites the Pater noster as he passes round the body, sprinkling it with holy water, and then incensing it. [P] From the gate of hell. [C] Deliver his [her] soul [their souls], O Lord. [P] May he [she, they] rest in peace. [C] Amen. [P] O Lord, hear my prayer. [C] And let my cry come unto Thee. [P] The Lord be with you. [C] And with thy spirit. If the body is present the priest prays: O God, whose property is ever to have mercy and to spare, we humbly beseech Thee on behalf of thy servant [handmaid] N..., which Thou hast called out of the world, that Thou wouldst not deliver him [her] into the hands of the enemy, nor forget him [her] forever, but command that he [she] be taken up by Thy holy angels and borne to our home in paradise; that having put his [her] hope and trust in Thee, he [she] will not suffer the pains of hell, but may come to the possession of eternal joys. If the body is absent the priest says over the catafalque: Absolve, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant [handmaid] N..., that he [she] who is dead to the world, may live unto Thee, and wipe away by Thy most merciful forgiveness what sins he [she] may have committed in life through human frailty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. [P] Eternal rest grant unto him [her, them], O Lord: [C] And let perpetual light shine upon him [her, them]. [P] May he [she, they] rest in peace. [C] Amen. As the body is carried to the grave: [All] May the angels lead thee into paradise: may the martyrs receive thee at thy coming, and lead thee into the holy city of Jerusalem. May the choir of angels receive thee, and mayest thou have eternal rest with Lazarus, who once was poor. The priest blesses the grave if this has Let us pray: O god, by whose mercy the souls of the faithful find rest, vouchsafe to bless this grave, and appoint Thy holy angel to guard it; and release the souls of all those whose bodies are buried here from every bond of sin, that in Thee they may rejoice with Thy saints forever. Through Christ our Lord. [C] Amen. The body and grave are sprinkled At the grave, or wherever the body is left: [P] Antiphon: I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live; and everyone that liveth, and believeth in Me, shall not die forever. [All] + Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, * because He has visited and wrought redemption for His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us * in the house of David his servant, As He promised through the mouths of His holy ones, * the prophets from of old: Salvation from our enemies, * and from the hands of all our foes. He has fulfilled His kindness to our fathers, * and been mindful of His holy covenant In the oath to Abraham our father, * by which he swore to grant us that, delivered from the hands of our enemies, * we should serve him without fear In holiness and justice before Him * all our days. And thou, O child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; * for thou shalt go before the Lord to prepare His ways. To grant His people knowledge of salvation * through forgiveness of their sins, Because of the compassionate kindness of our God * with which the Orient from on high will visit us. To shine on those in darkness and in the shadow of death * to guide our feet into the way of peace. [P] Eternal rest grant unto him [her, them], O Lord: [C] And let perpetual light shine upon him [her, them]. [P] Antiphon: I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live; and everyone that liveth, and believeth in Me, shall not die forever. [P] Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. The priest recites the Pater noster as he passes round the body, sprinkling it with holy water, and then incensing it. [P] From the gate of hell. [C] Deliver his [her] soul [their souls], O Lord. [P] May he [she, they] rest in peace. [C] Amen. [P] O Lord, hear my prayer. [C] And let my cry come unto Thee. [P] The Lord be with you. [C] And with thy spirit. [P] Let us pray: Grant to Thy servant [handmaid] departed, O Lord, we beseech Thee, Thy mercy, that he [she], who prayed that Thy will might be done, may not receive punishments for his [her] misdeeds, but that even as here below the true Faith united him [her] to the ranks of the faithful, so in heaven by Thy mercy he [she] may have fellowship with the choirs of angels. Through Christ our Lord. [C] Amen. [P] Eternal rest grant unto him [her, them], O Lord: [C] And let perpetual light shine upon him [her, them]. [P] May he [she, they] rest in peace. [C] Amen. [P] May his [her] soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. [C] Amen.
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