Wake Prayer for a Young Person
GREETING
Leader:
The grace and peace of
God our Father,
who raised Jesus
from the dead,
be always with you.
All: And with your spirit.
INVITATION TO PRAYER
Leader:
We are gathered here
to commend the soul
of our little brother/sister (N...)
to Almighty God,
and to give thanks
for his /her brief life.
It is sad to see someone die
while in the springtime of life.
Still, to die in springtime
is to die full of promise,
and fragrant with innocence.
Besides, we have
the consolation of knowing
that the little ones
go straight to the
kingdom of heaven.
We have Christ's word for it.
So let us close our eyes
and experience God
reaching out to heal us
of our pain and sorrow.
(Pause for a moment and allow for personal prayer)
OPENING PRAYER
God of love and mercy,
your Son assured us
that you notice and are concerned
about a single sparrow
that falls to the ground.
We know that you
have seen the fall of
our little brother/sister (N...)
We are confident that
you will receive him/her
with joy into your kingdom.
We make this prayer
in the name of Jesus your Son,
our Lord and Saviour.
All: Amen
READING
Reader:
A reading from the first letter
of St John ( 1 Jn 3:1-2)
See what love
the Father has for us
that we should be called
children of God;
and that is what we really are.
The reason the world
does not know us
is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are
God's children now;
what we will be
has not yet been revealed.
What we do know is this:
when he is revealed,
we will be like him,
for we will see him as he is.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Response:
My soul is longing
for the courts of the Lord.
Response:
My soul is longing
for the courts of the Lord.
The sparrow
finds herself a home
and the swallow a nest
for her brood;
she lays her young
by your altars,
Lord of hosts,
my king and my God.
Response:
My soul is longing
for the courts of the Lord.
They are happy
who dwell in your house,
forever singing your praises.
They are happy
whose strength is in you,
in whose hearts
are the roads to Zion.
Response:
My soul is longing
for the courts of the Lord.
As they go through
the bitter valley
they make it
a place of springs.
They walk
with ever-growing strength,
they will see
the God of gods in Zion.
Response:
My soul is longing
for the courts of the Lord.
For the Lord God is a rampart,
a shield;
he will give us
his favour and glory.
The Lord will not refuse
any good to those
who walk without blame.
Response:
My soul is longing
for the courts of the Lord.
GOSPEL
Leader:
A reading from the holy Gospel
according to Matthew (Mt 19:13-14)
Little children
were brought to Jesus
in order that
he might lay his hands on them
and pray over them.
The disciples spoke sternly
to the people who brought them,
but Jesus said:
"Let the little children
come to me
and do not stop them,
for it is to such as these that
the kingdom of heaven belongs."
Leader:
The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
INTERCESSIONS
Reader:
Christ showed in word
and in deed
that the little ones
are precious to him
and to the heavenly Father.
Therefore, we are confident
that he will hear our prayers
on behalf of
our little brother/ sister (N...).
That Christ may take (N...)
by the hand
and lead him/her
into the kingdom of heaven.
Lord, in your mercy.
Response: Hear our prayer.
That from his/her
place in heaven,
(N...) may intercede for us.
Lord, in your mercy.
Response: Hear our prayer.
For his/her parents,
family and friends;
that God may comfort them
with his loving presence.
Lord, in your mercy.
Response: Hear our prayer.
For our deceased
relatives and friends
and for all the faithful departed.
Lord, in your mercy.
Response: Hear our prayer.
For all here present,
that we may always be conscious
of our great dignity,
as children of God.
Lord, in your mercy.
Response: Hear our prayer.
All:
O God,
Creator and ruler of the universe,
you have shown us in Christ
how much you love the little ones.
Write (N... 's) name
on the palm of your hand
and bestow on him/her
the freedom of your kingdom.
This we ask
through Christ our Lord.
Amen .
THE LORDS' PRAYER &
THE ANGELIC SALUTATION
At the Saviour's command
and formed by divine teaching,
we dare to say:
All:
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.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you amongst women
and blessed is the
fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD
All:
Lord, whose wisdom
governs the length of our days,
we entrust our brother/sister (N...)
to your tender mercy.
You have chosen to take him/her
into your heavenly home,
grant him/her a place
of everlasting joy.
This we ask
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE MOURNERS
All :
Lord our God, the death of
our little brother/ 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 your Son's disciples
and the hope
of the children of God.
Bring the light of
Christ's resurrection
to this time of testing
and pain as we pray for (N...)
and for those
who love him/her,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
CONCLUDING RITE
Leader :
Jesus said:
"Let the little children come to me
for it is to such as these that
the kingdom of heaven belongs."
Eternal rest grant unto (N...), O Lord
All: And let perpetual light
shine upon him/ her.
Leader: May he/she rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Leader:
May his /her soul
and the souls of
all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God,
rest in peace.
All: Amen.
Leader :
May God,
whose precious sons
and daughters we are,
console you in your grief
and strengthen your faith
in his love.
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
All : Amen