Sunday, July 13, 2008

PraySTATION: For A Dearly Departed Mother

Novena Prayer for the Repose of the Soul of Aida Añoso

Lord, as we come together to pray for the eternal repose of the soul of our dear mother Aida, help us to see death for what it really is / the end of poverty and the beginning of riches, / the end of frustration and the beginning of fulfillment, / the end of fear and the beginning of tranquility, / the end of pain and the beginning of joy, / the end of weakness and the beginning of strength.

Let not grief overwhelm us, / or a sense of loss embitter us. / But out of sadness / let there arise a new joy / for so much given to us.

O gracious Spirit of peace, / come alive within our experience and hurt, / within our sorrow and isolation, / within the sadness of today and loneliness of tomorrow. / Come alive as the peace and trust / which nothing in life or death can kill. / Cast out our fears, / and let not our hearts be troubled, / knowing this world remains our Father’s house.

O God / whose virtue is to have mercy, we humbly beseech you, in behalf of our mother, Aida, whom you called out of this world, that You would not forget her forever, / but bid your holy angels to lead her into paradise, / her true country, / for as much as in you He puts her hope and trust/he may come to the possession of eternal joys.

To you, O Lord, / we humbly commend our mother, Aida in this mortal life. / You loved her always with great love. / Now that she had been freed from all the evils of this earth, / bid your mercy, / that when the first things have passed away, because of your goodness, / You will bring her into your paradise, / where there is no more grief or mourning or sadness, / but peace and joy with Your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever.

O God / You overcome death,/through Your only Begotten Son, / opened to us the gate of everlasting life. / We beg you to welcome Aida, who walked the way of the life of your Son. / Fulfill Your promise to her whom you have called to Yourself. / Grant her Your glory in life / through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We give thanks for all the good things you gave to Aida in this mortal life. As a sign of Your goodness / and of the communion of saints in Christ the Lord / in Your great pity, accept our prayer / that the gate of paradise may be opened to her. / In turn, may we be comforted by the words of faith / until we hasten to meet Christ / when we may all be forever with the Lord, / and with our dear mother, Aida.

Lord, our God, / Your days are without end. / Your mercies too many to count. / Cause us never to forget that our life is short and uncertain. / Let Your Holy Spirit lead us through this present life / in holiness and justice all days of our life. / And after we have served you on earth, / in communion with Your Church, / and in perfect charity with all men, / may we joyfully come to your kingdom/ through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Leader: Eternal rest grant unto Aida, O Lord,

All: And let perpetual light shine upon her.

Leader: May she rest in peace,

All: Amen.
Leader: May the soul of Aida and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.