Prayers & Verses for Memorial Cards, Mass Prayer Cards

101

PRAYER OF

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

“Lord make me an instrument

of your peace.

Where there is hatred,

let me sow love;

where there is injury,

pardon; where there is doubt,

faith; where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may

not so much seek to be consoled as

to console; to be understood as to

understand; to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are

pardoned and it is in dying that we

are born to eternal life.”

102

PRAYER FOR THE

SOULS IN PURGATORY

O God, the creator and redeemer of all faithful, grant to the souls of thy servants departed, the full remission of their sins, that through pious supplications, they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. Who livest and reignest world without end.

Amen.

“All I ask is that wherever you may be, you will remember me at Holy Communion and at the foot of the altar.” - St. Monica.

103

They say there is a reason,

they say that time will heal,

but neither time nor reason,

will change the way we feel.

For no-one knows the heartache,

that lies behind our smiles,

no-one knows how many times,

we have broken down and cried.

Gone from home that smiling face,

those cheerful, happy ways,

the heart that won so

many friends,

in bygone, happy days.

We want to tell you something,

so there won’t be any doubt,

you’re so wonderful to think of,

but so hard to be without.

104

PRAYER TO OUR

LADY OF LOURDES

O Ever Immaculate Virgin Mother of mercy, health of the sick, refuge of sinners, comfort of the afflicted, you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings; deign to cast on me a look of pity. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary whence you dispense your favours and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.

I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence, to implore your maternal intercession.

Obtain, O Loving Mother, the grant of my requests. Through gratitude for your favours, I will endeavour to imitate your virtues, that I may one day see your glory. Amen.

105

May he/she rest in peace, dear Jesus,

in Thy heavenly home above,

with The Sacred Heart of Jesus,

in His own eternal love.

Along the road to yesterday,

that leads me straight to you,

are memories of happy days,

Together we once knew.

A silent grief that’s in our hearts,

no human eye can trace,

for many a broken heart is hid,

behind a smiling face.

A light is from our household gone,

a voice we loved is still,

a place is vacant in our home,

that never can be filled.

May the God of love and mercy,

care for our loved one who is gone

and bless with consolation,

those left to carry on.

Lonely is the home without you,

life to us is not the same,

all the world would be like heaven,

if we could have you back again.

106

TOGETHERNESS

Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort. Life means all it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near just around the corner. All is well.

Nothing is past; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before - only better, infinitely happier and for ever we will all be one together with Christ.

107

I am home in Heaven, dear ones,

Oh! so happy and so bright.

There is perfect joy and beauty,

in this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,

every restless tossing passed.

I am now at peace for ever,

safely home in Heaven at last.

Did you wonder I so calmly,

trod the valley of the shade?

Oh! but Jesus’ love illuminated,

every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me,

In that way so hard to tread,

and with Jesus’ arm to lean on,

could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,

for I love you dearly still,

try to look beyond earth’s shadows,

pray to trust our Father’s will.

There is work still waiting for you,

so you must not idly stand,

do it now while life remaineth,

you shall rest in Jesus’ land.

When the work is all completed,

He will gently call you Home,

Oh! the rapture of that meeting,

Oh, the joy to see you come.

108

THE MEMORARE

Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother; to thee I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy clemency hear and answer me.

Amen.

Hear, we beseech thee, O Lord, our prayers, which we humbly address to thy mercy, that the soul of thy servant, which thou hast called out of this world, may be received into the region of light and peace and be numbered amongst the blessed. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

109

We sat beside your bedside,

our hearts were crushed and sore.

We did our duty to the end,

‘til we could do no more.

In tears we watched you sinking,

we watched you fade away

and though our hearts were breaking,

we knew you couldn’t stay.

You left behind some aching hearts,

that loved you most sincere.

We never shall and never will,

forget you, Father dear.

For many years the family chain,

was closely linked together,

but, O, that chain is broken now,

the main link gone forever.

The sunshine of our happy home,

must always clouded be;

but thou O Lord has sent this cross,

we bear it all for thee.

110

Lonely is the home without you,

life to us is not the same;

all the world would be like heaven,

if we could have you back again.

A light is from our household gone,

a voice we loved is still,

a place is vacant in our home,

that never can be filled.

May the God of Love and Mercy,

care for our loved one who is gone

and bless with consolation,

those left to carry on.

The happy hours we once enjoyed,

how sweet their memory still,

but death has left a vacant place,

this world can never fill.

How dearly we loved you,

and prayed you might live,

but Jesus just beckoned,

and we had to give.

God gave us strength to bear it,

and courage to fight the blow.

What it has meant to lose you,

God alone will ever know.

111

Gone from our home that smiling face,

the cheerful happy ways,

the heart that won so many friends,

in bygone happy days.

Lonely is the home without you,

life to us is not the same,

all the world would be like Heaven,

if we could have you back again.

In dreams we see her smiling face,

and kiss her tender brow,

but in our aching hearts we know,

we have no mother now.

The voice is now silent, the heart now cold,

the smile and the welcome

that met us of old.

We miss her and mourn her

in sorrow unseen,

and dwell on the memory of

days that have been.

We sat beside your bedside,

our hearts were crushed and sore.

We did our duty to the end,

‘til we could do no more.

In tears we watched you sinking,

we watched you fade away

and though our hearts were breaking,

we knew you could not stay.

You left behind some aching hearts,

that loved you most sincere.

We never shall and never will,

forget you mother dear.

112

MY JESUS MERCY!

We lost a father with a heart of gold,

how much we miss him,

can never be told.

He shared our troubles and

helped us along.

If we follow his footsteps,

we can never go wrong.

We miss you from your fireside chair,

your loving smile and gentle air.

Your vacant place, no one can fill,

we miss you father and always will.

He was a father so very rare,

content in his home and always there.

On earth he toiled, in heaven he rests,

God bless you father,

you were one of the best.

Each time we look at your picture,

you seem to smile and say,

don’t be sad, but courage take

and love each other for my sake.

O Sweet Jesus, for the sake of

Thy bitter passion and the sorrows

of Thy Immaculate Mother,

have mercy on his soul;

and let the light of

Thy Countenance shine upon him.

Amen

113

WHEN I MUST LEAVE YOU

When I must leave

you for a little while,

please do not grieve

and shed wild tears

and hug your sorrow

to you through the years,

but start out bravely with a

gallant smile

and for my sake and in my name,

live on and do all things the same.

Feed not your loneliness

on empty days,

but fill each waking hour

in useful ways.

Reach out your hand in comfort

and in cheer

and I in turn will comfort

you and hold you

and never, never be afraid to die,

for I am waiting for you in the sky.

(Helen Steiner Rice).

114

A bouquet of beautiful memories,

sprayed with a million tears,

wishing God could have spared you,

if just for a few more years.

It does not take a special day,

for us to think of you.

Each mass we hear,

each prayer we say,

is offered up for you.

We cannot bring the old days back,

when we were all together,

The family chain is broken now,

but memories live forever.

May he rest in peace, dear Jesus,

in Thy heavenly home above,

with the Sacred Heart of Jesus,

in His own eternal love.

Along the road to yesterday,

that leads us straight to you,

are memories of happy days,

together we once knew.

A silent grief that’s in our hearts,

no human eye can trace,

for many a broken heart is hid,

beneath a smiling face.

115

FOOTPRINTS

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. “Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.”

The Lord replied,

“My precious, precious child, I love you and would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

116

Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee O Virgin of Virgins my Mother; to thee I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions,

but in they clemency hear

and answer me. Amen.

You can only have one mother,

patient, kind and true.

No other friend in all the world,

will be the same to you.

When other friends forsake you,

to mother you will return,

for all her loving kindness,

she asks nothing in return.

When we look upon her picture,

sweet memories we recall,

of a face so full of sunshine

and a smile for one and all.

Sweet Jesus, take this message,

to our dear mother up above;

tell her how we miss her

and give her all our love.

Your life was love and labour,

your love for your family true;

you did you best for all of us,

we always will remember you.

117

GOD’S LENT CHILD

“I’ll lend you for a little while,

a child of mine God said,

for you to love him while he lives

and mourn for when he’s dead.

It may be six or seven years,

or forty-two or three,

but will you, ‘till I call him back,

take care of him for me?

He’ll bring his charms to gladden you

and should his stay be brief,

you’ll always have his memories

as a solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay

since all from earth return,

but there are lessons taught below

I want this child to learn.

I’ve looked this whole world over

in my search for teachers true

and from the folks that crowd life’s lane, I have chosen you.

Now will you give him all your love

nor think the labour vain,

or hate me when I come to take

this lent child back again?

I fancied that I heard him say,

dear Lord Thy will be done,

for all the joys Thy child will bring,

the risk of grief we’ll run.

We’ll shelter him with tenderness,

we’ll love him while we may

and for the happiness we’ve known,

forever grateful stay.

But should the Angels come for him

much sooner than we’ve planned,

we’ll have the bitter grief that comes,

and try to understand.”

118

PRAYER TO PADRE PIO

O God,

You gave Saint Pio of Pietrelcina,

Capuchin priest,

the great privilege of participating

in a unique way

in the passion of Your Son,

grant me through his intercession

the grace of....

which I ardently desire;

and above all grant me the grace of

living in conformity with the death

of Jesus, to arrive at the glory of

the resurrection.

119

It was a sudden parting,

too bitter to forget,

those who loved you dearly

are the ones who can’t forget.

We often sit and think of you

and think of how you died,

to think you could not say goodbye,

before you closed your eyes.

Your life was one of kindly deeds,

a helping hand for other’s needs,

sincere and true in heart and mind,

beautiful memories left behind.

The blow was hard,

the shock severe,

to part with one we loved so dear.

Our loss is great, we’ll not complain

but trust in God to meet again.

Two tired eyes are sleeping,

two willing hands are still.

The one who worked so

hard for us,

is resting at God’s will.

Our family chain is broken,

nothing seems the same,

but as God calls us one by one

The links shall join again.

120

They are not gone,

these loved ones

whom we mourn.

We must not think of

them as far away.

Into a fuller life have

they been born.

Laying aside the vesture

of this day

these sweet souls around us

watch us still.

When troubles come,

press closer to our side.

Into our thoughts

and into our prayers each day

On wings of love with gentle

helping guide.

Yet near us still they watch and

love and know.

We are the blind ones who no

longer see

beloved forms that softly come and

go waiting reunion in eternity.

121

AFTER GLOW

I’d like the memory of me

to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an

After Glow of smiles when

life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo

whispering softly

down the ways.

of happy times

and laughing times

and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears

of those who grieve,

to dry before the sun

of happy memories that

I leave when life is done.

122

Distance takes us far apart

and darkens my today.

I have to keep remembering

you’re just a thought away.

When the world is too confusing,

times are hard to bear,

I pull your precious meaning,

your bright spirit from the air.

If I sometimes drift into

a lonely state of mind.

I gather up the memories

of days we left behind.

And though you’re not beside me,

I can tap into my heart

and draw upon the warmth and love

that lives when we’re apart.

And with these fond reflections

on the times when you were near,

I sense a little bit of what

it’s like to have you here.

123

Do not stand at my grave

and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken

in the morning’s hush,

I am the swift, uplifting rush

of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars

that shine in the night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there:

I did not die.

124

We hold you close

within our hearts,

and there you shall

remain,

to walk with us

throughout our lives,

until we meet again.

So rest in peace,

dear loved one

and thanks for all

you’ve done.

We pray that God

has given you,

the crown you’ve

truly won.

125

We give our loved ones back

to God: and just as He first

gave them to us and did not lose

them in the giving, so we have

not lost them in returning them

to Him...

For life is eternal,

love is immortal,

death is only a horizon. . .

and a horizon is nothing but

the limit of our earthly sight.

126

There is no night

without a dawning,

no winter without a spring

and beyond death’s

dark horizon

our hearts once more will sing.

For those who leave us

for a while

have only gone away,

out of a restless careworn world

into a brighter day.

127

O God, the Creator and Redeemer

of all the faithful, grant to the souls

of Thy servants departed,

the full remission of their sins,

that through pious supplications

they may obtain the pardon

which they have always desired.

Who livest and reignest world

without end.

Amen.

128

PRAYER FOR A HAPPY DEATH

O glorious St. Joseph, behold I choose thee today for my special patron in life and at the hour of my death. Preserve and increase in me the spirit of prayer and fervour in the service of God. Remove, far from me, every kind of sin; obtain for me that my death may not come upon me unawares, but that I may have time to confess my sins sacramentally, and to bewail them with a most perfect understanding and a most sincere contrition, in order that I may breathe forth my soul into the hands of Jesus and Mary. Amen.

129

In a near and silent graveyard,

Where the trees their

branches wave,

sleeps a kind and loving mother,

in her cold and lonely grave.

She bade no one a last farewell.

She raised her hand to none.

Her spirit flew before we knew,

that she from us had gone.

130

Softly in the morning,

you heard a gentle call.

You took the hand God offered you

and quietly left us all.

The day you left us mother,

our hearts just broke in two.

The smallest part is still with us

and the biggest part with you.

For the rest of our lives,

we will miss you mother.

Our secret tears still flow.

Oh, how we really loved you,

no one will ever know.

We miss your smile, your joking ways,

we miss the things you used to say

and when old times we do recall,

it’s then we miss you most of all.

You were always there when

we needed you,

no task too great or small,

with loving heart and willing hands,

for us you did it all.

Look around your garden Lord

and when she turns and smiles,

put Your arms around her

and hold her for a while.

131

I’M FREE

Don’t grieve for me now I’m free,

I’m following the path

that has been laid for me.

I took His hand when I heard His call,

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

to laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way,

I’ve found a peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void

then fill it with remembered joys.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

oh yes these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savoured much,

good friends, good times

and loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all to brief,

don’t lengthen it now

with undue grief.

Lift up your hearts and share with me

God wants me now, God set me free

132

TO MY DEAREST FAMILY

I will be beside you

every day, week and year

and when you’re sad,

I’m standing there

to wipe away the tear.

I’m writing this from Heaven

where I dwell with God above;

Where there’s no more

tears or sadness

there’s just eternal love.

When you are walking down the street

and you’ve got me on your mind;

I’m walking in your footsteps

only half a step behind.

And when you feel that gentle breeze

or the wind upon your face;

that’s me giving you a great big hug

or just a soft embrace.

And when it’s time for you to go

from that body to be free;

remember you’re not going,

you’re coming back to me

133

PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH

To Thee O blessed Joseph we have recourse in our tibulations and whilst imploring the aid of thy most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also. By that love which united thee to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God and by the fatherly affection by which thou didst embrace the Infant Jesus, we humbly beseech thee graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased by his blood and to help us in our necessities by thy powerful intercession.

Protect, O most provident Guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen children of Jesus Christ; ward off from us, O most loving father, all taint of error and corruption; graciously assist us from Heaven, O most powerful protector, in our struggle with the powers of darkness; and as thou didst once rescue the Child Jesus from imminent peril to His life, so now defend the Holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Shield each one of us with thy unceasing patronage that imitating thy example and supported by thine aid, we may be able to live a good life, die a holy death and secure everlasting happiness in heaven. Amen

134

MISS ME BUT LET ME GO

When I come to the end of the road

and the sun has set for me.

I want no tears in a gloom filled room,

why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little, but not too long

and not with your head held low.

Remember the love that

we once shared,

miss me but let me go.

For this is a journey we must all take

and each must go alone.

It’s all a part of the Master’s plan,

a step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and

sick of heart,

go to the friends we know

and bury your sorrow in doing

good deeds

miss me but let me go.

135

Lord when the storm rages

around me,

and I can hold on no more,

When the waves of tears

engulf me

and I am weary,

battered and sore,

Take me then and steer me

storm - tossed

broken and afraid,

into the arms

of Your safe harbour

safely to your Home.

136

TO THOSE I LOVE AND

THOSE WHO LOVE ME.

When I am gone, release me,

let me go,

I have so many things to see and do.

You mustn’t tie yourself to me in tears,

be happy that we had so many years.

I gave to you my love,

you can only guess,

how much you gave to me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you

each have shown,

but now it’s time I travelled on alone.

So grieve awhile for me if

grieve you must,

then let your grief be comforted

by trust.

It’s only for a while that we must part,

so bless the memories

within your heart.

I will not be far away, for life goes on,

so if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you can’t see or touch

me I’ll be near

and if you listen with your heart,

you’ll hear all my love

around you soft and clear

and then when you must come

this way alone,

I will greet you with a smile and a

“WELCOME HOME”.

137

I kiss the wounds in your Sacred Feet,

with sorrow deep and true.

May every step I take today