La Capilla del Verbo Encarnado
Vigil for a deceased Sister
Introductory Rite
Introductory Verse
Leader: God come to our assistance.
All: O Lord make haste to help us.
All: Glory to you, Source of all Being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit.
As always before, so now and evermore.
Hymn
1. Day is done, but Love unfailing
Dwells ever here;
Shadows fall, but hope, prevailing,
Calms ev’ry fear.
God, our Maker, none forsaking,
Take our hearts, of Love’s own making;
Watch our sleeping, guard our waking,
Be always near.
Opening Prayer
2. Eyes will close, but you unsleeping
Watch by our side;
Death may come, in Love’s safekeeping
Still we abide.
God of love, all evil quelling,
Sin forgiving, fear dispelling:
Stay with us, our hearts in dwelling,
This eventide.
Good and gracious God,
the death of our Sister N.
recalls our human condition
and the brevity of our lives on earth.
But for those who believe in your love,
death is not the end,
nor does it destroy the bonds
that you forge in our lives.
We share the faith of disciples,
and the hope of the children of God.
Bring the light of Christ's resurrection
to this time of loss and pain
as we pray for N. and those who love her,
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians
We do not want you to be unaware, friends,
about those who have fallen asleep,
so that you may not grieve like the rest,
who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose,
so too will God, through Jesus,
bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
Therefore, console one another with these words.
The Word of the Lord.
Sacred Silence
Response
Sacred Silence
Gospel
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.
Shared Reflection
Video
Sharing
Response
Sacred Silence
Intercessions
Response: Incarnate Word, hear our prayer.
The Lord's Prayer
Concluding Rites
Concluding Prayer
Good and gracious God, we give you thanks for the life of Sister N.; for her call, and for her years of faithful commitment to you, and to this Congregation. We celebrate the gift she was to her family and friends, and to her religious Sisters. We humbly ask that she is rewarded with eternal life in your presence. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Dismissal
Blessed are those who have died in the Lord;
let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.
Eternal rest grant unto Sister N., O Lord.
R./ And let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace.
R./ Amen.
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R./ Amen.
Let us go in peace.
R./ Amen.