When my last sighs shall force my soul to issue from my body, accept them as the children of a loving impatience to come to Thee, When my soul, trembling on my lips, shall bid adieu to the world, and leave my body lifeless, pale, and cold, receive this separation as a homage which I willingly pay to Thy Divine Majesty, and in that last moment of my mortal life, When at length my soul, admitted to Thy Presence, shall first behold the splendour of Thy Majesty, reject me not, but receive me into Thy bosom, where I may for ever sing Thy praise, and in the moment when eternity shall begin to me, Let us pray. Merciful Jesus, have mercy on me. GOD, who hast doomed all men to die, but hast concealed from all the hour of their death, grant that I may pass my days in the practice of holiness and righteousness, and that I may quit this world in the peace of a good conscience and in the embrace of Thy love. Through CHRIST Our LORD. Amen. L ORD JESUS CHRIST! Thou dost desire that no one should perish. It is Thy will that whoever prays to Thee may hope for mercy, for Thou hast said, "Whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name that will I do." I ask, then, through Thy Holy Name that, when I am dying, I may be able to think and speak, that may have a very great sorrow for my sins, I A true faith, a sincere hope, and perfect charity, that I may be able to say with a pure heart, "Into Thy Hands I commend my spirit, for Thou hast redeemed me, O LORD, Thou GOD of Truth, Who art blessed for ever. Amen. S. VINCENT FERRIER. A SHORT OFFICE FOR THE DEAD. N the Name, &c. (See p. 9.) IN Our FATHER, &c. I believe, &c. V. Our help is in the Name of the LORD: Ant. Remember not. Ps. LI. Miserere mei Deus. Ps. CXXX. De profundis. (See p. 18.) (See p. 27.) Ant. Remember not, LORD, our of fences, nor the offences of our forefathers, neither take Thou vengeance of our sins; spare us, good LORD, spare Thy people whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious Blood, and be not angry with us for ever.' A THE LECTION. S. JOHN VI. 37–40. LL that the FATHER giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the FATHER'S will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the SON, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day. V. But Thou, O LORD, have mercy upon us. R. Thanks be to GOD. HYMN. Dies Ira. (See p. 49.) W. Grant them, O LORD, eternal rest : B. And let light perpetual shine upon them. V. From the gate of hell: R. Deliver their souls, O LORD. R. Amen. V. O LORD, hear our prayer : R. And let our cry come unto Thee. B. And with thy spirit. O Let us pray. GOD the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants and Thy handmaidens, the remission of all their sins, that through Thy bountiful goodness they may obtain the pardon they have desired, Who livest and reignest with GOD the FATHER in the unity of the HOLY GHOST, GOD for ever and ever. Amen. 1 REMEMBER, O LORD, Thy servants and Thy handmaidens, who are departed before us with the sign of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace. To them, O LORD, and to all who rest in CHRIST, grant, we beseech Thee, the place of refreshment, light, and peace, through CHRIST our LORD. Amen. Lamb of GOD, that takest away the sins of the world, grant them rest. Lamb of GOD, that takest away the sins of the world, grant them rest. Lamb of GOD, that takest away the sins of the world, grant them eternal rest. Amen. The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, and the love of GOD, and the fellowship of the HOLY GHOST, be with them, evermore. Amen. 1 These prayers to be said especially at Holy Communion, after the Prayer of Consecration. |