“Día De Los Muertos” Prayer Service
Welcome:
Today, we gather to remember and celebrate the lives of those that have died and to find joy in the memories they left behind. We embrace their spirits, and we are here together to guide them on their journey.
Let us begin this celebration: In the name of the Father…
Opening Prayer:
Lord our God, the death of our brothers and sisters recalls our human condition and the brevity of our lives on earth. But for those who believe in your love death is not the end, nor does it destroy the bonds that you forge in our lives. We share the faith of your Son’s disciples and the hope of the children of God. Bring the light of Christ’s resurrection on this time of testing and pain as we pray for all who have died and for those who love them, through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen
Reading: A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans
Brothers and sisters:
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.
The Word of the Lord
R: Thanks be to God.
Offerings (Ofrendas): At this time, we would like to present our offerings to our deceased brothers and sisters.
- “We offer the souls “pan de muerto” (bread) to give thanks for all the special meals we’ve shared”
- “We offer the souls “papel picado” (cut out tissue paper) to remind us that their spirit is everywhere with us like the wind (invisible, but present)”
- “We light candles to represent the souls that shine brightly”
- “We offer salt to purify souls”.
- “We offer incense to represent the souls that”
- ”We offer the wooden cross as a symbol of the cycle of life”
As part of the cycle of life, we also honor our Mother Earth. This next song you will listen to is in one of the indigenous languages of Mexico, Nahuatl. This song is used to thank the Mother Earth for the harvest, for rain, for our earth’s natural resources celebrations of Día de los Muertos. We would like to remember all our brothers and sisters who have been killed for trying to save our planet. Ex. (Bertha Caceres Flores (Honduras), Fikile Ntshangase (South Africa), Oscar Eyraud Adams (Mexico)
Song:
Xochipitzahuatl– Youtube –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yGwZm2jVTI&list=RD5yGwZm2jVTI&index=1
LITANY BLESSING OF THE DECEASED
Leader:
Together with all the saints, we pray for those who have gone before us. Especially today those whose names are in our hearts and on our altars.
Reader:
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Leader:
Holy Souls, Pray for us.
Holy Mary of Guadalupe, Pray for us.
St. Joseph, Pray for us.
All Holy Innocents, Pray for us.
St. Juan Diego, Pray for us.
St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, Pray for us.
St. Bishop Oscar Romero, Pray for us.
For the souls of our families, we pray. Lord hear our Prayer.
For the souls of our friends, we pray…………
For the souls of our wrong doers, we pray……
For the souls of the just, we pray………
For the Holy Souls in Purgatory, we pray ……
For the souls of all CND Associates and Sisters, we pray……
For those who have no one to pray for them, we pray. Lord, hear our prayer
Christ, pardon all their faults: Lord, hear our prayer.
Christ, remember the good they have done: Lord, hear our prayer
Christ, receive them into eternal life: Lord, hear our prayer.
Christ, comfort all those who mourn: Lord, hear our prayer.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy
Sharing:
We have created our memorial altar in remembrance of our loved ones who are now with God. We will now share their names and the symbols we have placed on the altar that reflect their time with us. We can also say what their best qualities were.
We will each hold the incense (symbol of our prayers rising to God) and pray silently or out loud.
We will each bless the altar with holy water.
Final Prayers: Our Father, Hail Mary
ALL:
Grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed O Lord
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen