Leader: We pray for family, friends, relatives, and neighbors who have died. We ask God to bring them to Heaven so that they can be with God and the saints forever. We remember them, especially during the month of November.

• Sacred Space: A Remembrance Tree on the altar, a Candle, A crucifix, the Bible: Thess 4: 13-14
• Preparation: Each one writes the name of the Departed Loved ones: a name on a leaf
• Opening Song: I am the Bread of Life.

https://youtu.be/IvD0XJzOWQ4  (optional)

Leader: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.

Leader: Let us begin our Prayer in Communion with all our Departed Loved Ones.

Father in heaven, you love me, You are with me night and day. I want to love you always in all I do and say. I`ll try to please you, Father. Bless me through the day. Amen

Leader: We gather together today in communion with all our dear ones who have gone ahead of us. Earlier we wrote their names on prayer leaves and we now hold them in our hands. We can read out their names as we silently pray for them…

Leader: While it may be sad for us to think about people who have died, we know that Jesus brought us Good News. Let us listen to that Good News now.

Reading: (1 Thess 4: 13-14) “We believe that Jesus died and rose again and that it will be the same for all those who love Jesus. Then they die, and God will bring them with him. When we die we will meet the Lord in heaven, and stay with him forever”.

REFLECTION, REMEMBERING OUR LOVED ONES.

By asking our loved ones to gift us with their positive qualities, our lives, too, can have God-ness shining through them. This November, let us cast our glance back to those dear ones who left us the essence of their goodness. As we ponder their qualities and pray to have these traits come alive more fully in us, “the best” of our loved ones will continually live on in us and be a blessing for others.

(PAUSE)

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

Leader: Together, we pray for those who have died. The response iwill be: “May the light of Christ shine on them”.

1. Reader: For all grandparents who have died. (Response)
2. Reader: For all parents who have died. (Response)
3. Reader: For all our friends, relatives, and neighbors who have died. (Response)
4. Reader: For all victims of war, natural calamities, and the Pandemic. (Response)
5. Reader: For those who have died and have no one to remember them. (Response)
6. Reader: For all those whose names are included on our Remembrance Tree. (Response)
7. Reader: We pause for other intentions…

Leader: We know that Jesus prayed constantly to his Father in heaven. He asked us to pray to God the Father. As Jesus asked us we dare to say: “Our Father…”.

POEM/ RESURRECTION

The autumn leaves were laid to rest
But now the trees are green,
And signs that God brings all to life
Throughout the world are seen.
And Jesus is alive, they say,
And death is not the end.

CONCLUDING PRAYER.

Loving God, we thank you for the lives of our loved ones who have died. We ask you to care for those who are missing them at this time. May we always remember your promise that one day we will all be together in heaven. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for All Souls

• Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
• And let the perpetual light shine upon them.
• May the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace through God’s mercy. Amen.

Salve Regina. https://youtu.be/CAmydVsNMqM