You can be involved in the ministry of consolation at St. Jude Church by:
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Participating in the vigil, funeral liturgy, and rite of committal;
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Praying for the dead; |
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Cooking or serving for
funeral dinners. Contact Rosary
Society. |
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Singing in the funeral choir or playing instrumental music (call Kevin Demetroff at 260-484-6412); |
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Serving as lectors, ushers, special ministers of the eucharist or servers
(call Mary Pohlman at
260-484-6609)
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| CELEBRATING Christian
funerals: "In the face of death, the Church confidently proclaims that God has
created each person for eternal life and that Jesus, the Son of God, by his death and
resurrection, has broken the chains of sin and death that bound humanity. Christians
celebrate the funeral rites to offer worship, praise, and thanksgiving to God for the gift
of a life which has now been returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the
just." |
| PRAYING for our
beloved departed: "The Church through its funeral rites commends the dead to God's
merciful love and pleads for the forgiveness of their sins. At the funeral rites,
especially at the celebration of the eucharistic sacrifice, the Christian community
affirms and expresses the union of the Church on earth with the Church in heaven in the
one communion of saints. Though separated from the living, the dead are still one with
community of believers on earth and benefit from their prayers and intercession. At
the rite of final commendation and farewell, the community acknowledges the reality of
separation and commends the deceased to God. In this way it recognizes the spiritual
bond that still exists between the living and the dead and proclaims its belief that all
the faithful will be raised up and reunited in the new heavens and a new earth, where
death will be no more." |
| COMFORTING
mourners: "The celebration of the Christian funeral brings hope and consolation to
the living. While proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and witnessing to Christian
hope in the resurrection, the funeral rites also recall to all who take part in them God's
mercy and judgment and meet the human need to turn always to God in times of crisis... 'If
one member suffers in the body of Christ which is the Church, all the members suffer with
that member' (I Corinthians 12:26). For this reason, those who are baptized into Christ
and nourished at the same table of the Lord are responsible for one another .... when a
member of Christ's body dies, the faithful are called to a ministry of consolation to
those who have suffered the loss of one whom they love .... The Church calls each member
of Christ's Body -- priest, deacon, layperson -- to participate in the ministry of
consolation: to care for the dying, to pray for the dead, to comfort those who mourn.
" |
| SHOULDERING our
responsibilities: "Members of the community should console the mourners with words
of faith and support and with acts of kindness, for example, assisting them with some of
the routine tasks of daily living. The community's principal involvement in the
ministry of consolation is expressed in its active participation in the celebration of the
funeral rites, particularly the vigil for the deceased, the funeral liturgy, and the rite
of committal. In the celebration of the funeral rites, laymen and laywomen may serve
as readers, musicians, ushers, pallbearers and, according to existing norms, as special
ministers of the eucharist. |
| The quotes above are from the Order of
Christian Funerals, approved for use in the United States by the National Conference of
Catholic Bishops and confirmed by the Apostolic See. 0 1989,1985, International Committee
on English in the Liturgy, Inc. (ICEL). All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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Some commonly
asked questions [ To Top of Page]
Why do we celebrate the funeral rites?
In the funeral rites we pray for the deceased, entrusting them to God's mercy and
care. We honor the body. We comfort the living in their grief. We celebrate
the funeral rites not only for the dead but also for the living.
Is cremation permitted by the Catholic Church?
Since 1963, the Church has permitted cremation as long as the Church's teaching on the
resurrection of the body is upheld.
How are the rites celebrated for someone who chooses cremation?
The Church prefers that the body be present for the Funeral Liturgy and cremated following
the Final Commendation of the Liturgy. If there is a serious reason, it may be
possible to celebrate the Funeral Liturgy in the presence of cremated remains.
What rites can be used for miscarried or stillborn infants?
"Funeral Rites may be celebrated for children whose parents intended them to be
Baptized but who died before Baptism. In these celebrations the Christian community
entrusts the child to God's all-embracing love." (Order of Christian Funeral #237)
What rites can be used for a suicide victim?
This person is entrusted to God's love and mercy and is therefore entitled to the usual
Funeral Rites.
What is done for a lapsed Catholic?
By virtue of Baptism this person is entitled to the prayers of the Church including the
Funeral Rites.
What is the proper place for the Funeral Rites?
The Vigil service is celebrated in the presence of the body either in the funeral home or
the Parish Church the night before. The Funeral Mass is always celebrated in the
Church. The Commital Rite is preferably celebrated at the grave or the tomb.
Why do we recommend viewing in the Church before the funeral?
Gathering at the Church before the Funeral Mass begins allows family and friends a time to
console one another, to say final goodbyes, and to enter into the spirit of prayer.
Where can I find the text for the prayers of the funeral service?
The Order of Christian Funerals is the text of all Catholic funeral rites
approved for use in the United States of America. It has been in mandatory use in all
Latin rite Catholic parishes of the United States since All Souls Day, November 2, 1989.
All the major Catholic book publishers have a ritual edition. There is a less-expensive,
paperback Study Edition published by:
Liturgy
Training Publications
1800 North Hermitage Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622-1101
Phone: (800) 933-1800
Fax: (800) 933-7094
E-Mail Orders: orders@ltp.org
What is the Rite of Committal?
The Rite of Committal is the third station of the Catholic funeral liturgy, after
the Vigil (usually the day or night before the funeral) and the Funeral Mass (or Funeral
Liturgy outside Mass). It is normally celebrated at the site of burial.
The rite begins with an Invitation to prayer, followed by a Scripture Verse, for
which there are several options. Then comes the Prayer over the Place of Committal, with
seven text options. Next comes the Committal itself, for which there are also seven
text options.
Then come the Intercessions (four text options), the Lord's Prayer, a Concluding
Prayer (five), the Prayer over the People, with two forms of the final blessing, depending
on whether the minister is a cleric or not, and a dismissal.
A song may conclude the rite. Where it is the custom, some sign or gesture of
leave-taking may be made.
Why is the grave or tomb the preferred site for the Rite of
Committal?
The grave or tomb is preferred because the prayers from the ritual express clearly the
finality of placing the body in the ground or in the tomb.
Order of Christian Funerals [ To Top of Page]
THE ORDER OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS has three principal parts: the Vigil
for the Deceased; the Funeral Mass or the Funeral Liturgy outside Mass; the Rite of
Committal.
VIGIL FOR THE DECEASED
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Greeting
Opening Song
Invitation to Prayer
Opening Prayer
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Scripture Readings with Responsorial Psalm
Homily
PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
Litany
The Lord’s Prayer
Concluding Prayer (A family member or friend may speak in remembrance of the deceased.)
CONCLUDING RITE
Blessing
Song and/or a few minutes of silent prayer
FUNERAL MASS
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Greeting & Sprinkling with Holy Water
Placing of the Pall (and Christian Symbols)
Entrance Procession
Song
Opening Prayer
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Scripture Readings with Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation
Homily
General Intercessions
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Preparation of the Altar and the Gifts
Eucharistic Prayer
Communion Rite
FINAL COMMENDATION
Invitation to Prayer
Song of Farewell and Incense
Prayer of Commendation
PROCESSION TO THE PLACE OF COMMITAL
RITE OF COMMITTAL
Invitation
Scripture Verse
Prayer over the Place of Committal
Committal
Intercessions
The Lord's Prayer
Concluding Prayer
Prayer over the People
Readings for a Christian
Funeral
[ To Top of Page]
These Readings are suggested in the Order of Christian Funerals. At a funeral,
one reading from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament and a Gospel are
proclaimed. (Click onto the Bible
Gateway and enter a bible reference from the tables below to get the verse online.)
Old Testament
Job 19:1, 23-27
Wisdom 3:1-9
Wisdom 4:7-15
Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9
Lamentations 3:17-26
Daniel 12:1-3
2
Maccabees 12:43-46 |
New Testament
Acts 10:34-43
Romans 5:5-11
Romans 5:17-21
Romans 6:3-9
Romans 8:14-23
Romans 8:3lb-35, 37-39
Romans 14:7-9, l0b-12
I Corinthians 15:20-23, 24b-28
I Corinthians 15:51-57
2 Corinthians 4:14 -5:1
2 Corinthians
5:1,
6-10
Philippians 3:20-21
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
2 Timothy 2:8-13
1 John 3:1-2
1 John 3:14-16
Revelation 14:13
Revelation
20:11 -
21:1
Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7 |
Gospel
Matthew 5:1-12a
Matthew 11:25-30
Matthew 25:1-13
Mathew 25:31-46
Mark 15:33-39, 16:1-6
Luke 7:11-17
Luke 12:35-40
Luke 23:33, 39-43
Luke 23: 44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a
Luke 24:13-35
John 5:24-29
John 6:37-40
John 6:51-58
John 11: 17-27
John 11:32-45
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Here are other alternate suggestions for appropriate readings:
Music
for a Christian Funeral
[ To Top of Page]
The people of St. Jude Church hope this list will help you at
a difficult time. These are appropriate songs for a Catholic Funeral
Mass. A parish representative will assist you with your planning.
The hymns listed below are in GATHER Third Edition, the hymnal in
our pews. During the season of Lent, we do not sing hymns marked
with *, because we do not sing “alleluia” until Easter. If the
Funeral service is not a Mass, “Preparation of the Altar and the
Gifts” and “Communion Song” are omitted.
Click on the 
icon to listen to the music where available. In some cases, the
words have changed since the recording was made, so we may not be
singing now exactly what you will hear on the recording. In the case
of the psalm, the parish may be using a different refrain.
GATHERING SONG
This is the first hymn of the Funeral Mass.
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03 |
God’s Holy City |
Listen |
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05 |
If We Are Living |
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103 |
Now Bless the God of Israel |
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414 |
The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns
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*525 |
The Strife Is O’er |
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527 |
I Know That My Redeemer Lives |
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536 |
At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing |
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539 |
Sing with All the Saints in Glory |
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573 |
To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King |
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574 |
Crown Him with Many Crowns |
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578 |
How Great Thou Art |
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582 |
Rain Down |
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590
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Christ Be Our Light
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*607 |
Sing a New Song |
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610 |
Sing of the Lord’s Goodness |
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*611 |
All Creatures of Our God and King (vs 1,
5, 6, 7) |
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614 |
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You |
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615 |
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name |
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641 |
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling |
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642 |
What Wondrous Love Is This
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645 |
Amazing Grace |
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656 |
Lead Me, Guide Me
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663 |
Lord of All Hopefulness |
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680 |
We Walk by Faith
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683 |
Be Not Afraid
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687 |
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God |
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688 |
O God, Our Help in Ages Past |
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694 |
How Firm a Foundation |
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724 |
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say |
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728 |
Eye Has Not Seen |
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733 |
Nothing Can Trouble |
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777 |
Here I Am, Lord |
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784 |
We Have Been Told |
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807 |
We Are Called |
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828 |
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
(Prayer of St. Francis) |
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855 |
Morning Has Broken |
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865 |
Soon and Very Soon |
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870 |
Jerusalem, My Happy Home |
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871 |
We Shall Rise Again |
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*884 |
For All the Saints (choose verses) |
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945 |
I Am the Bread of Life |
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*949 |
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! |
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During the season of Advent |
Listen |
| 395 |
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (vs 1, 4, 5, 6)
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| 406 |
Wait for the Lord
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During the season of Christmas |
Listen |
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424 |
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing |
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440 |
Good Christian Friends, Rejoice |
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465 |
As with Gladness Men of Old |
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During the season of Lent |
Listen |
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475 |
Tree of Life |
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510 |
Jesus, Remember Me |
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During the season of Easter |
Listen |
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*524 |
Alleluia No. 1 |
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*540 |
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today |
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*Not sung during Lent
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM
The cantor or choir leads us in this
scriptural song after the first reading from the Bible.
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PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR AND THE GIFTS
Instrumental music may be played or we may
sing:
01-Lux Aeterna Litany
(with
names of deceased loved ones)
or another hymn from the lists may be sung.
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COMMUNION SONG
Any of the Responsorial Psalms could be sung, or one of the
following songs:
*Not sung during Lent
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SONG OF FAREWELL
We sing our farewell, gathered around our loved one, before leaving
the church.
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Listen |
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03 |
God’s Holy City |
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04 |
I Shall See My God
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35 |
Psalm 23: Shepherd Me, O God |
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691 |
On Eagle’s Wings
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976 |
Dwellers in the Holy City |
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Other Psalms and Songs
Here are more options which might be possible during the preparation of the
altar and the gifts or before the funeral.
They are also beautiful hymns for your own personal prayer:
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