Service for the Remembrance of All Souls

Silence and the room is darkened.

Officiant Light and Peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord.

People Thanks be to God.

Then the angel showed me the river of life-giving water, shining like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more. They won’t need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will shine on them, and they will rule forever and always.

(Revelation 22: 1, 4-5)

Officiant Let us pray.

Grant us, Lord, the lamp of charity which never fails, that it may burn in us and shed its light on those around us, and that by its brightness we may have a vision of that holy City, where dwells the true and never-failing Light, Jesus Christ our Lord.
People Amen.

A candle is brought forward and everyone is invited to light a candle on the altar.

After the candles are lit the people say together the following hymn.

O gracious light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.

Prayer of Remembrance

Officiant And now, Father of all, we pray to you for all those whom we love but see no longer. We pray especially for…

The list of names of those to be remember is read aloud.

After the names are read, all are invited to say, either aloud or silently in your heart, the names of others that you want to remember.

Officiant Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. And may their souls and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
People Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Officiant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Officiant Let us pray.

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.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

O God, the King of saints, we praise and glorify your holy Name for all your servants who have finished their course in your faith and fear: for the blessed Virgin Mary; for the holy patriarchs and matriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs; and for all your other righteous servants, known to us and unknown; and we pray that, encouraged by their examples, aided by their prayers, and strengthened by their fellowship, we also may be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

People Amen.

The officiant faces the people and says the following.

The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

People Amen.

Officiant Go in peace with the knowledge that God loves and cares for you and your loved ones.

People Thanks be to God.

The service ends. A reception follows.