BLESSING OF A HEADSTONE ORDER OF BLESSING. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, giver of life and conqueror of death, be with you all.

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1 BLESSING OF A HEADSTONE ORDER OF BLESSING The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, giver of life and conqueror of death, be with you all. And with your spirit. Prayer Let us pray. Lord, You have made Your people a pilgrim church, to be welcomed by you into its eternal home. Bless us our gathering in this cemetery as we remember who is at rest in you. May this place, prepared in the sure hope of the resurrection, never cease to remind us of the life that we are to share in Christ, who will transform our earthly bodies to be like his in glory, for he is Lord for ever and ever. Liturgy of the Word A reading from the holy Gospel according to John. Psalm 27 A brief reflection from family, if desired, may be given at this time. Litany of Saints Presider: All: Holy Mary, Mother of God Saint Michael Saint John the Baptist Saint Joseph Saint Peter Saint Paul Saint Andrew Saint Stephen Saint Ann Saint Teresa Saint Catherine Saint Frances Cabrini Saint Elizabeth Seton All holy men and women Christ, pardon all their faults Christ, remember the good they have done Christ, receive them into eternal life Christ, comfort all those who mourn Lord have mercy Christ have mercy

2 After Litany Prayer Presider: All: Presider: All: With Christ there is mercy and fullness of redemption; Let us pray together as Jesus taught us Our Father Let us pray together the prayer to our Blessed Mother Hail Mary Presider: God, by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest, bless this memorial with which we mark the resting place of. May he/she have everlasting life and rejoice in You with Your saints forever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. (A cross is then traced on the headstone using holy water by the Presider and family.) Concluding Rite Presider: Eternal rest to, O Lord. All: And let perpetual light shine upon him/her. Presider: May soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. All: Presider: All: Presider: (Signing with the sign of the cross) May the love of God and the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ bless and console us and gently wipe every tear from our eyes: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Go in the Peace of Christ. All: Thanks be to God. BLESSING of a HEADSTONE Copyright 1999, Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany All Rights Reserved

3 BLESSING OF A HEADSTONE ORDER OF BLESSING Presider: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, giver of life and conqueror of death, be with you all. And with your spirit. (Presider, offer some words of welcome and prepare those present for the celebration.) Opening Prayer: Let us pray. (Pause for silent prayer.) Lord, you have made your people a pilgrim church, to be welcomed by you into its eternal home. Bless us our gathering in this cemetery as we remember, who is at rest in you. May this place, prepared in the sure hope of the resurrection, never cease to remind us of the life that we are to share in Christ, who will transform our earthly bodies to be like his in glory, for he is Lord for ever and ever. Liturgy of the Word A reading from the holy Gospel according to John: There are many rooms in my Father s house. Jesus said to his disciples:

4 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 if 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. Where I am going you know the way. Thomas said to him, Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. The Gospel of the Lord. Psalm 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life s refuge; of whom should I be afraid? One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, That I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate his temple. Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call; have pity on me, and answer me. Your presence, O Lord, I seek. Hide not your face from me. A brief reflection from family, if desired, may be given at this time. -2-

5 Litany of Saints While the following litany is sung or recited, the minister sprinkles the grave with holy water and, if desired, may also incense it. Holy Mary, Mother of God Saint Michael Saint John the Baptist Saint Joseph Saint Peter Saint Paul Saint Andrew Saint Stephen Saint Ann Saint Teresa Saint Catherine Saint Frances Cabrini Saint Elizabeth Seton All holy men and women Christ, pardon all their faults Christ, remember the good they have done Christ, receive them into eternal life Christ, comfort all those who mourn Christ have mercy Lord have mercy (The names of other saints may be added.) -3- (Litany continued next page)

6 After Litany Prayer Presider: (Invite those present to pray) With Christ there is mercy and fullness of redemption; Let us pray together as Jesus taught us Our Father. Mother Let us pray together the prayer to our Blessed Hail Mary. Presider: O God, by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest, bless this gravestone with which we mark the resting place of. May he/she have everlasting life and rejoice in you with your saints forever. We ask this through Christ our Lord. (A cross is then traced on the headstone using holy water in a very deliberate and unhurried manner by the Presider, family, etc.). Concluding Rite Presider: Eternal rest to, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him/her. Presider: May his/her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Presider: (Signing with the sign of the cross) -4-

7 May the love of God and the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ bless and console us and gently wipe every tear from our eyes: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Presider: Go in the Peace of Christ. Thanks be to God. -5-

8 May

9 BLESSING OF A HEADSTONE name of deceased date of blessing Presider s Order of Blessing Presented by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany