Today is a day when the Church keeps memorial in the Faithful Departed. Previously masses would be offered this day for the repose of souls in purgatory, especially those who had died in the previous year. Masses performed on this day are now said in hope that God's power will continue to perfect the souls of the faithfully departed.
The following is taken from:
- The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Anglican Church of Canada, Anglican Book Centre, Toronto © The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, 1962, Used without permission.
- The English Gradual: Part I - The Ordinary, Edited by Francis Burgess, originally produced by the Plainchant and Mediaeval Music Society, Royal School of Church Music, Dorking.
- The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Edited by Francis Burgess, originally produced by the Plainchant and Mediaeval Music Society, Royal School of Church Music, Dorking.
Antiphon: Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them
Verse: Psalm 65 Thou, O Lord, art praise in Syon, and unto thee shall the vow be performed in Jerusalem: thou that hearest the prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
The Gloria Patri is not sung.
Repeat the Antiphon Rest eternal grant unto ...
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 204-208
Most merciful Father, who hast been pleased to take unto thyself our brethren departed: Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that having served thee faithfully in this world, we may, with all faithful Christian souls, be joined hereafter to the company of thy blessed Saints in glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 301
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die; and their departure is taken for misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction; but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastened, they shall be greatly rewarded; for God proved them and found them worthy for himself. As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt-offering. And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble; they shall judge the nations and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever and ever.
Wisdom 3:1-8 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 301
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. Let their souls dwell at ease: and their seed inherit the land.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 204-208
Psalms 42 My soul is athirst for God, yea, even for the living God: when shall I come to appear before the presence of God. My tears have been my meat day and night, while they daily say unto me, Where is now thy God?
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 204-208
Day of wrath and doom impending.
David's word with Sibyl's blending,
Heaven and earth in ashes ending.
Oh, what fear man's bosom rendeth,
When from heaven the Judge descendeth,
On whose sentence all dependeth.
Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth;
Through earth's sepulchres it ringeth;
All before the throne it bringeth.
Death is struck, and nature quaking,
All creation is awaking,
To its Judge an answer making.
Lo, the book, exactly worded,
Wherein all hath been recorded,
Thence shall judgement be awarded.
When the Judge his seat attaineth,
And each hidden deed arraigneth,
Nothing unavenged remaineth.
What shall I, frail man, be pleading?
Who for me be interceding,
When the just are mercy needing?
King of Majesty tremendous,
Who dost free salvation send us,
Fount of pity, then befriend us!
Think, kind Jesu! – my salvation
Caused Thy wondrous Incarnation;
Leave me not to reprobation.
Faint and weary, Thou hast sought me,
On the Cross of suffering bought me.
Shall such grace be vainly brought me?
Righteous Judge, for sin's pollution
Grant Thy gift of absolution,
Ere the day of retribution.
Guilty, now I pour my moaning,
All my shame with anguish owning;
Spare, O God, Thy suppliant groaning!
Through the sinful woman shriven,
Through the dying thief forgiven,
Thou to me a hope hast given.
Worthless are my prayers and sighing,
Yet, good Lord, in grace complying,
Rescue me from fires undying.
With Thy sheep a place provide me,
From the goats afar divide me,
To Thy right hand do Thou guide me.
When the wicked are confounded,
Doomed to flames of woe unbounded,
Call me with Your saints surrounded.
Low I kneel, with heart's submission,
See, like ashes, my contrition,
Help me in my last condition.
Ah! that day of tears and mourning,
From the dust of earth returning
Man for judgement must prepare him,
Spare, O God, in mercy spare him.
Lord, all-pitying, Jesus blest,
Grant them Thine eternal rest. Amen.
It was at Jerusalem, at the feast of the dedication, and it was winter; and Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you and ye believed not; the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father who gave them to me is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.
John 10:22-30 NIV KJV NRSV NASB RSV NKJV ESV
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 302
O Lord Jesus Christ, King of Majesty, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the hands of hell, and from the pit of destruction: deliver them from the Lion's mouth; that the grave devour them not; that they go not down to the realms of darkness. But let Michael, the holy standard-bearer, make speed to restore them to the brightness of glory: which thou promisedst in ages past to Abraham, and his seed. Sacrifice and prayer do we offer unto thee, O Lord: do thou accept them for the souls departed, in whose memory we make this oblation. And grant them, Lord, to pass from death unto life: which thou promisedst in ages past unto Abraham and his seed.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 204-208
Upon Easter Day, and until the Eve of Ascension Day inclusive, and at Memorial services.
But chiefly are we bound to praise thee for the glorious Resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord: for he is the very Paschal Lamb, which was offered for us, and hath taken away the sin of the world; who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rising to life again bath restored to us everlasting life. Therefore with Angels, etc.
The Book of Common Prayer (1962), Page 80
To them in whose memory the Body of Christ is received: grant, O Lord, rest everlasting. And may light perpetual: shine upon them. To them in whose memory the Body of Christ is received: grant, O Lord, rest everlasting.
The English Gradual: Part II - The Proper, Pages 204-208