The Matt Talbot Retreat Movement
Memorial
Funeral Service for Dead Members
As revised by one of our Retreat Masters
Leader: In this time of sorrow, we believe that the Lord is in our minds to confort us with His word:
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart: and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light." (Mt 11: 28-30)
Leader: May the Father of mercies, the God of all consolation, be with you.
R. And also with you.
Leader: My brothers and sisters, we believe that all the ties of friendship and affection which knit us as one throughout our lives do not unravel with death. Confident that God always remembers the good we have done and forgive our sins, let us pray, asking God to gather (N.) to himself.
Lord, our God, the death of our 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, the hope of all the children of God; the same faith and hop» which sustained our patron Venerable Matt Talbot. Bring the light of Christ's resurrection to this time of testing and pain as we pray for (N.) and for all those who love him/her. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord
R. Amen.
Leader: My brothers and sisters, Jesus said:
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in god: have faith also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And it I go and prepare a place for you. I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am, you also may be." (Jn 14:1-3)
Leader: God, the almighty Father, raised his Son from the dead: with confidence, we ask him to save all his people, living and dead; For (N.), who was given the pledge of eternal life on earth; may he now be admitted to the company of our patron, Matt Talbot, and all the saints. Let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord hear our prayer.
Leader: For our deceased relatives and friends and for all who have helped us, that they may have the reward of their goodness. Let us pray to the Lord.
R Lord hear our prayer.
Leader: For all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of rising again, that they may see God face to face. Let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: For the family and friends of our brother/sister (N.), that they may be consoled in their grief. Let us pray to the Lord.
R., Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader: For all of us assembled hear to worship in faith, that we may be gathered together again in God's kingdom. Lot us pray to the Lord.
R Lord hear our prayer.
[Family members who wish to say a few words about the deceased member may be invited to do so at this time.]
The names of four members of the Matt Talbot Retreat Movement who are present at the service are called, and each answers in turn, “Present”. Then, the name of the deceased member is called twice. After the second call, a member present responds, “Here in spirit.”
Leader: Friends {Brothers and sisters), our true home is in Heaven. Therefore, let us pray to our Heavenly Father as Jesus taught us:
ALL: Our Father….
Leader: Into your Hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brother, (N.). In this life, you embraced him with your tender love; deliver him now from every evil and bid him enter eternal rest. The old order has passed away; welcome him then into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping nor pain, but only the fullness of peace and joy, with your Son and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever.
R. Amen.
The Blessing.
Leader: 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 him/her, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon him/her.
Leader: May he/she rest in peace.
R Amen.
Leader: May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen
Leader: May the love and peace of the Lord God bless and console us, and gently wipe away every tear from our eyes.
And, may almighty God bless you: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen
(Adapted from the Order of Christian Funerals, © Catholic Book Publishing Co., NY, 1989; and The Funeral Rites © Catholic Book Publishing Co., NY, 1990.)