Yesterday I received a telephone call from a care facility I regularly visit and celebrate the Eucharist. A resident is dying and the family wanted to know if I would come and anoint her today. It turns out she attended Saint Faith's in the 1960's. Since the rite in The Book of Alternative Services is not liturgically robust, I found that I needed to edit a rite for this occasion using resources from various Anglican sources.
So, on this Holy Saturday, when God's Beloved rests in the tomb awaiting the Resurrection, I share with you my work.
Prayers
with the Dying
Prepared by the Rev’d Dr Richard Geoffrey Leggett
Holy Saturday 2014
The
Gathering of the Community
Greeting
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one
God,
the fountain of living water,
the rock who gave us birth,
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection
and the life.
Those who believe in me, even
though they die, will live,
and everyone who lives and
believes in me will never die.”
John 11.25-26
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all
creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
Romans 8.38-39
Collect
Let us pray.
Eternal God,
grant to your servant
[and to us who surround her/him with our prayers]
your peace beyond understanding.
Give us faith, the comfort of your presence
and the words to say to one another and to you,
as we gather in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [ii]
The
Proclamation of the Word
One or more of the following may
be read: Psalm 23; Psalm 91; Psalm 121;
Psalm 139; John 6.35-40; John 14.1-6, 23, 27.
The
Prayers of the Community
The Litany
Let us offer our prayers for N, saying,
‘God of compassion, we commend N to you.’
Holy God, Creator of heaven and earth,
God of compassion, we
commend N to you.
Holy and Mighty, Redeemer of the world,
God of compassion, we commend N to you.
Holy Immortal One, Sanctifier of the faithful,
God of compassion, we commend N to you.
Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, one God,
God of compassion, we commend N to you.
By your Holy Incarnation,
God of compassion, we commend N to you.
By your Cross and Passion,
God of compassion, we commend N to you.
By your precious death and burial,
God of compassion, we commend N to you.
By your glorious Resurrection and Ascension,
God of compassion, we commend N to you.
By the coming of the Holy Spirit,
God of compassion, we commend N to you.
For deliverance from all evil, all sin and all tribulation,
God of compassion, we commend N to you.
For deliverance from eternal death,
God of compassion, we commend N to you.
For forgiveness of all sins,
God of compassion, we commend N to you.
For a place of refreshment at your heavenly banquet,
God of compassion, we commend N to you.
For joy and gladness with your saints in light,
God of compassion, we commend N to you.
Then may be added,
Jesus, Lamb of God:
have mercy upon your
servant.
Jesus, bearer of our sins:
have mercy upon your
servant.
Jesus, redeemer of the world:
grant her/him your peace. [iii]
The Lord’s Prayer
As our Saviour taught, let us pray,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Or
And now, as our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Our Father, who art in
heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in
heaven.
Gives 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.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The
Commendation
Anointing
If so desired, the presider may anoint the dying person using one of
the following forms.
Form 1
The presider anoints the forehead of the dying person, saying,
N, go forth upon your journey from this world,
in the name of God the Father almighty who created you;
in the name of Jesus Christ who suffered death for you;
in the name of the Holy Spirit who strengthens you;
in communion with the blessed saints,
aided by angels and archangels
and all the armies of the heavenly host.
May your portion this day be in peace
and your dwelling the heavenly Jerusalem. Amen. [iv]
Or
Form 2
The presider anoints the eyes, the ears, the nose, the mouth and the
hands of the dying person, saying,
N, may you behold the glory of the heavenly Jerusalem.
May you hear the angelic voices singing the praise of God.
May you smell the fragrance of God’s love for you and for all
creation.
May you taste the banquet prepared for all the faithful from the
beginning of time.
May you embrace once more all those whom you have loved and who have
loved you. Amen. [v]
Commendation
After the anointing, the presider then says one of the following,
N, go forth from this world:
in the love of God the Father who created you,
in the mercy of Jesus Christ who redeemed you,
in the power of the Holy Spirit who strengthens you.
May the heavenly host sustain you
and the company of heaven enfold you.
In communion with all the faithful,
may you dwell this day in peace.
Amen. [vi]
Or
Depart, O Christian soul, out of this world;
in the name of God the Father almighty who created you;
in the name of Jesus Christ who redeemed you;
in the name of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you.
May your rest be this day in peace
and your dwelling place the paradise of God. Amen.
[vii]
Or
Loving and merciful God,
we entrust our brother/sister to your mercy.
You loved her/him greatly in this life;
now that he/she is freed from all its cares,
give her/him happiness and peace for ever.
The old order has passed away;
welcome her/him into paradise
where there will be no more sorrow,
no more weeping or pain, but only peace and joy
with Jesus, your Son, and the Holy Spirit,
for ever and ever. Amen. [viii]
The Blessing
Then the presider concludes with one of the following,
God grant us to share
in the inheritance of the saints in glory;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be with us, now and always. Amen. [ix]
Or
May the eternal God,
the Lover who created all things,
the Beloved who shared our humanity
and the Love who unites all creation,
bless and keep us,
guard our bodies,
save our souls
and bring us safe to the heavenly country,
our eternal home. Amen. [x]
[iii] Enriching Our Worship 2:
Ministry with the Sick or Dying; Burial of a Child (2000), 102-103 alt.
[iv] Common Worship: Pastoral
Services (2001), 229 alt.
1 comment:
The Common worship Pastoral Services is a great addition to any clergy bookshelf
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