A Prayer Guide for a Wake Vigil

LETTING GO & COMING HOME

A Prayer guide during wake for the dead

*A Note on this Prayer Guide

The Vigil Service for the deceased is an important part of the funeral rite and should not be eliminated. This can be used instead of a wake mass, especially if a priest is not available. A priest, deacon or layperson (preferably members of the family) may preside or take lead at this rite. The ritual and prayer guide consists of scripture, intercessory prayer. This is also a good time for family members and friends to share stories or to give a eulogy. Appropriate songs may also be sung to begin and end this rite

Text only Version

I. OPENING PRAYER

LEADER: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

ALL: Amen.

LEADER: Lord, open my lips.

All: And my mouth shall declare your praise.

LEADER: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

All: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

LEADER: Lord, help us to see death for what it really is: the end of poverty and the beginning of riches; the end of frustration and the beginning of tranquility, the end of pain and the beginning of joy: the end of weakness and the beginning of strength.

All: O Lord Jesus, let not grief overwhelm us, or a sense of loss embitter us. But out of our sadness let there arise a new joy and hope for so much is given to us. Help us to stand strong in the resurrection, believing that there is something beyond death. There is something beyond pain and hurt and heartache. This is where our strength and hope lie. This is the power of the resurrection at work in us. Remind us of our own sad-heart time not to lose sight of the other side of ache, that glorious moment of a happy homecoming, waiting for all of us in the loving hello of the Father.

LEADER: O gracious Spirit of Peace, come alive within our experiences and hurts; sustain us during this time of grief; comfort us as we experience this great loss in our life. Deepen our faith and soften our sadness so that the hope of homecoming will overpower the aches and struggles in all of life's farewells and goodbyes. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

II. SCRIPTURE READING

A Reading from the Second Letter of Paul to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:8-13)

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,

we will also live with him;

if we endure,

we will also reign with him.

If we disown him,

he will also disown us;

if we are faithless,

he remains faithful,

for he cannot disown himself.

The Word of the Lord

III. WE NEVER LOSE THOSE WE GIVE TO GOD

LEADER: We gave back (Name of the departed) to you, O God, whom you gave to us. As you did not lose her/him in giving, so we do nor lose her/him by her/his return to you. Not as the world give do you give, O Lord. For what you give you do not take away, for what is yours is also ours, Life is eternal. Love is immortal and death is only a horizon, and a horizon is nothing except the limit of our sight.

ALL: Lift us up, O Son of God, that we may see farther. Cleanse our eyes that we may see life clearly. Draw us close to you so that we may be nearer to our loved ones who are now with you and prepare us also for that happy place, so that where you are, we may also be forevermore.

LEADER: God, our loving Father, open our lips and inflame our hearts with the Spirit of your love. Enlighten our minds, so that we may reverently meditate on our Son's suffering and death, the pains and humiliations he endured and his glorious rising to new life. In your great mercy, listen to our prayers for we ask these through Christ our Lord. Amen.

IV. LITANY

LEADER: Merciful Jesus, look down with eyes of pity on your faithful daughter/ son (Name of the departed), for whom you have suffered and died on the cross. My Jesus, through your bloody sweat in the Garden of Gethsemane…