Masses for the Dead (Anglican Missal)

Work in progress: Masses for the Dead, scan PDF pp. 1419–1454

Masses for the Dead

1. On the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

¶ To-day any Priest may celebrate three Masses, in accordance with the rubric on November 2nd. The following Mass shall be said as the first Mass, and by any Priest who celebrates one Mass only, or who celebrates with chant. In the latter case he may anticipate the 2nd and 3rd Masses.

INTROIT. Requiem aeternam.

Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. Ps. 65. Thou, O God, art praised in Sion, and unto thee shall the vow be performed in Jerusalem: thou that hearest the prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Then at once is repeated: Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them.

COLLECT.

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all them that believe: grant unto the souls of thy servants and handmaidens the remission of all their sins; that as they have ever desired thy merciful pardon, so by the supplications of their brethren they may receive the same: Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Ghost ever one God.

The Lesson from the former EPISTLE of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians. 1 Cor. 15. 51.

Brethren: Behold, I shew you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

GRADUAL. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. ℣. Ps. 112. The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance: he will not be afraid of any evil tidings.

TRACT. Absolve, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from all the chains of their sins. ℣. That by the succour of thy grace they may be found worthy to escape the avenging judgment. ℣. And enjoy the bliss of everlasting light.

SEQUENCE.

Dies Irae.

Day of wrath, and doom impending, David's word with Sibyl's blending: Heaven and earth in ashes ending.

O 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 judgment 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 that 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 tears 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 thy saints surrounded.

Low I kneel, with heart-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 judgment must prepare him.

Spare, O God, in mercy spare him: Lord all-pitying, Jesu blest, Grant them thine eternal rest. Amen.

✝ The Continuation of the HOLY GOSPEL according to John. St. John 5. 25.

At that time: Jesus said unto the multitude of the Jews: Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of Man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

OFFERTORY. O Lord Jesu Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of hell, and from the bottomless pit: deliver them from the lion's mouth, that hell swallow them not up, that they fall not into darkness: but let Michael the standard-bearer bring them into the holy light: * Which thou didst promise of old unto Abraham, and his seed. ℣. We offer thee, O Lord, this sacrifice of prayer and praise: do thou receive it for the souls whose memory we this day recall: make them, O Lord, to pass from death unto life. Which thou didst promise of old unto Abraham and his seed.

SECRET.

We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to regard these our oblations, which we offer unto thee for the souls of thy servants and handmaidens: that like as thou didst grant them grace to believe the true faith of thy holy Name; so they may obtain of thee the reward of everlasting life. Through.

PREFACE of the Dead.

COMMUNION. Let light eternal shine upon them, O Lord: * With thy Saints for evermore: for thou art gracious. ℣. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. With thy Saints for evermore: for thou art gracious.

POSTCOMMUNION.

Grant, O Lord, we pray thee, that the prayers of us thy humble servants may effectually avail for the relief of the souls of thy servants and handmaidens: that they may be delivered from all their sins, and made partakers of thy heavenly redemption: Who livest and reignest.

After The Lord be with you shall be said: May they rest in peace. ℟. Amen. And the blessing shall not be given: but May it please thee being said, and the Altar kissed, the Gospel of Saint John: In the beginning was the Word, shall be read, as usual.

2. On the Day of Death or of the Burial of a Dead Person

INTROIT. Requiem aeternam.

Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. Ps. 65. Thou, O God, art praised in Sion, and unto thee shall the vow be performed in Jerusalem: thou that hearest the prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them.

COLLECT.

O God, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive, receive our humble petitions for the soul of thy servant N., which this day thou hast commanded to depart out of this world: deliver him not into the hand of the enemy, neither forsake him at the last; but command him to be received by the holy Angels, and brought to the country of paradise; that forasmuch as he hoped and believed in thee, he may not undergo the pains of hell, but be made partaker of everlasting felicity. Through.

The Lesson from the former EPISTLE of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Thessalonians. 1 Thess. 4. 13.

Brethren: I would not have you to be ignorant concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus shall God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we, which are alive, and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we, which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

GRADUAL. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. ℣. Ps. 112. The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance: he will not be afraid of any evil tidings.

TRACT. Absolve, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from all the chains of their sins. ℣. That by the succour of thy grace they may be found worthy to escape the avenging judgment. ℣. And enjoy the bliss of everlasting light.

SEQUENCE. Day of wrath, as above (page 122).

✝ The Continuation of the HOLY GOSPEL according to John. St. John 11. 21.

At that time: Martha said unto Jesus: Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her: Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him: I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her: I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him: Yea, Lord, I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

OFFERTORY. O Lord Jesu Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of hell, and from the bottomless pit: deliver them from the lion's mouth, that hell swallow them not up, that they fall not into darkness: but let Michael the standard-bearer bring them into the holy light: * Which thou didst promise of old unto Abraham, and his seed. ℣. We offer thee, O Lord, this sacrifice of prayer and praise: do thou receive it for the souls whose memory we this day recall: make them, O Lord, to pass from death unto life. Which thou didst promise of old unto Abraham and his seed.

SECRET.

We beseech thee, O Lord, to have mercy on the soul of thy servant N., for whom we offer unto thee this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving: and we most humbly entreat thy majesty, that this our service being acceptable in thy sight, he may be found worthy to attain to everlasting rest. Through.

PREFACE of the dead.

COMMUNION. Let light eternal shine upon them, O Lord: * With thy Saints for evermore: for thou art gracious. ℣. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. With thy Saints for evermore: for thou art gracious.

POSTCOMMUNION.

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the soul of thy servant N., which to-day hath passed from this world, being by this holy sacrifice cleansed and delivered from all sins, may obtain thy pardon and eternal rest. Through.

¶ On the third, seventh, and thirtieth day after the burial of a dead person, Mass is said as above, except only the Collects, which are said as followeth.

COLLECT.

We beseech thee, O Lord, that the soul of thy servant N., whom three [or seven, or thirty] days since we did commit unto the ground: may be made partaker of the fellowship of thine elect; and that thou wouldest pour upon him the continual dew of thy mercy. Through.

SECRET.

O Lord, we pray thee, look down with favour on these gifts which we offer thee for the soul of thy servant N.: that, being cleansed by the medicine of thy heavenly grace, he may by thy mercy enter into everlasting rest. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION.

Accept, O Lord, we pray thee, the prayers which we offer for the soul of thy servant N.: that, whatever defilements it may have contracted in the midst of this naughty world, may by thy merciful pardon be done away. Through.

3. On the Anniversary of the Dead

INTROIT. Requiem aeternam.

Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. Ps. 65. Thou, O God, art praised in Sion, and unto thee shall the vow be performed in Jerusalem: thou that hearest the prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them.

COLLECT.

O God, to whom alone belongeth the forgiveness of sins: grant, we pray thee, to the souls of thy servants and handmaidens, whose burial we now commemorate, to find a place of refreshing, and the blessedness of thy rest, and to enjoy the glory of everlasting light. Through.

The Lesson for the EPISTLE from the latter book of the Maccabees. 2 Macc. 12. 42.

In those days: The noble Judas made a gathering throughout the company, to the sum of two thousand drachms of silver, and sent it to Jerusalem to offer a sin offering, doing therein very well and honestly, in that he was mindful of the resurrection: for if he had not hoped that they that were slain should have risen again, it had been superfluous and vain to pray for the dead. And also in that he perceived that there was great favour laid up for those that died godly, it was an holy and good thought. Whereupon he made a reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin.

GRADUAL. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. ℣. Ps. 112. The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance: he will not be afraid of any evil tidings.

TRACT. Absolve, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from all the chains of their sins. ℣. That by the succour of thy grace they may be found worthy to escape the avenging judgment. ℣. And enjoy the bliss of everlasting light.

SEQUENCE. Day of wrath, as above (page 122).

✝ The Continuation of the HOLY GOSPEL according to John. St. John 6. 37.

At that time: Jesus said unto the multitude of the Jews: All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me: and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out: for I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me: that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

OFFERTORY. O Lord Jesu Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of hell, and from the bottomless pit: deliver them from the lion's mouth, that hell swallow them not up, that they fall not into darkness: but let Michael the standard-bearer bring them into the holy light: * Which thou didst promise of old unto Abraham, and his seed. ℣. We offer thee, O Lord, this sacrifice of prayer and praise: do thou receive it for the souls whose memory we this day recall: make them, O Lord, to pass from death unto life. Which thou didst promise of old unto Abraham and his seed.

SECRET.

We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to assist our prayers, which as at this time we do offer unto thee for the souls of thy servants and handmaidens: that they, for whom we offer unto thee our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, may be found worthy to enter into the blessed company of all thy faithful people. Through.

PREFACE of the dead.

COMMUNION. Let light eternal shine upon them, O Lord: * With thy Saints for evermore: for thou art gracious. ℣. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. With thy Saints for evermore: for thou art gracious.

POSTCOMMUNION.

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord: that the souls of thy servants and handmaidens, whose burial we on this day do call unto remembrance: being by this holy sacrifice cleansed from all their sins, may obtain thy pardon and everlasting rest. Through.

If the anniversary be kept for one person, these prayers a foregoing shall be said in the singular number.

COLLECT.

O God, to whom alone belongeth the forgiveness of sins: grant, we pray thee, to the soul of thy servant [or handmaiden], whose burial we now commemorate; to find a place of refreshing, and the blessedness of thy rest, and to enjoy the glory of everlasting light. Through.

SECRET.

We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to assist our prayers, which as at this time we do offer unto thee for the soul of thy servant [or handmaiden]: that he [or she] for whom we offer unto thee our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; may be found worthy to enter into the blessed company of all thy faithful people. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION.

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord: that the soul of thy servant [or handmaiden], whose burial we on this day do call unto remembrance: being by this holy sacrifice cleansed from all his sins, may obtain thy pardon and everlasting rest. Through.

4. At Daily Masses of the Dead

INTROIT. Requiem aeternam.

Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. Ps. 65. Thou, O God, art praised in Sion, and unto thee shall the vow be performed in Jerusalem: thou that hearest the prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon them.

1. For Bishops, or Priests Departed

COLLECT.

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that, like as thou didst cause thy servants, for whom we pray, to enjoy the office of Priest or Bishop in thy holy Church after the order of thine Apostles: so they may evermore be joined to the company of the same thy Saints in heaven. Through.

2. For Brethren, Kinsfolk, and Benefactors Departed

COLLECT.

O God, who desirest not the death of a sinner, but rather that all mankind should be saved: we beseech thee mercifully to grant that the brethren, kinsfolk, and benefactors of our congregation, who have passed out of this world, may by the intercession of blessed Mary Ever-Virgin and of all thy Saints come to enjoy with them everlasting blessedness.

3. For All the Faithful Departed

COLLECT.

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all them that believe: grant unto the souls of thy servants and handmaidens the remission of all their sins; that as they have ever desired thy merciful pardon, so by the supplications of their brethren they may receive the same: Who livest.

The Lesson for the EPISTLE from the Revelation of blessed John the Apostle. Rev. 14. 13.

In those days: I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me: Write: Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours: and their works do follow them.

GRADUAL. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. ℣. Ps. 112. The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance: he will not be afraid of any evil tidings.

TRACT. Absolve, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from all the chains of their sins. ℣. That by the succour of thy grace they may be found worthy to escape the avenging judgment. ℣. And enjoy the bliss of everlasting light.

SEQUENCE. Day of wrath, as above (page 122), at the Priest's discretion.

✝ The Continuation of the HOLY GOSPEL according to John. St. John 6. 51.

At that time: Jesus said unto the multitude of the Jews: I am the living bread, which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my Flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews, therefore, strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them: Verily, verily I say unto you: Except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man, and drink his Blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my Flesh, and drinketh my Blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

OFFERTORY. O Lord Jesu Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of hell, and from the bottomless pit: deliver them from the lion's mouth, that hell swallow them not up, that they fall not into darkness: but let Michael the standard-bearer bring them into the holy light: * Which thou didst promise of old unto Abraham, and his seed. ℣. We offer thee, O Lord, this sacrifice of prayer and praise: do thou receive it for the souls whose memory we this day recall: make them, O Lord, to pass from death unto life. Which thou didst promise of old unto Abraham and his seed.

1. For Bishops, or Priests Departed

SECRET.

Receive, O Lord, we beseech thee, this our sacrifice for the souls of thy servants: that, forasmuch as in this life thou didst give them the dignity of Bishop or Priest, so thou wouldst bid them be joined in the company of the Saints in thy heavenly kingdom. Through.

2. For Brethren, Kinsfolk, and Benefactors Departed

SECRET.

O God, of whose merciful kindness there is no end, favourably accept our prayers: and through this Sacrament of our salvation grant unto the souls of our brethren, kinsfolk, and benefactors, whom thou didst number among them that confess thy Name, the remission of all their sins.

3. For All the Faithful Departed

SECRET.

We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to regard these our oblations, which we offer unto thee for the souls of thy servants and handmaidens: that, like as thou didst grant them grace to believe the true faith of thy holy Name, so they may of thee the reward of everlasting life. Through.

PREFACE of the dead.

COMMUNION. Let light eternal shine upon them, O Lord: * With thy Saints for evermore: for thou art gracious. ℣. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. With thy Saints for evermore: for thou art gracious.

1. For Bishops, or Priests Departed

POSTCOMMUNION.

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that the prayers which we have this day offered for the souls of thy servants, Priests, or Bishops, may effectually obtain for them the pardon of thy mercy: that, as they have ever put their hope and confidence in thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, so they may of thy mercy attain to his perpetual fellowship in heaven. Through the same.

2. For Brethren, Kinsfolk, and Benefactors Departed

POSTCOMMUNION.

Grant, we beseech thee, almighty and merciful God: that the souls of our brethren, kinsfolk, and benefactors, for whom we have now offered unto thee this sacrifice of praise, may by the operation of this Sacrament be cleansed from every stain of sin, and by thy mercy attain the blessedness of eternal light.

3. For All the Faithful Departed

POSTCOMMUNION.

Grant, O Lord, we pray thee, that our supplications may be acceptable in thy sight: that the souls of thy servants and handmaidens, being delivered from all their sins, may be made partakers of thy heavenly redemption: Who livest and reignest.

The Epistles and Gospels appointed above for one Mass for the dead, may also be said at other Masses likewise for the dead.

Various Prayers for the Dead

1. On the day of burial, or anniversary of a Chief Bishop, the First Mass is said, as above (page 121), but the Prayers as followeth:

COLLECT.

O God, who of thy unspeakable providence didst vouchsafe to call thy servant N. to the number of thy high priests: grant, we beseech thee, that like as he did fulfil on earth the office of thy only-begotten Son, so he may evermore be numbered in the fellowship of them that therein have served thee faithfully. Through the same.

SECRET.

Receive, O Lord, we beseech thee this our sacrifice for the soul of thy servant N.: that, forasmuch as in this life thou didst give him the dignity of thy High Priest, so thou wouldst bid him to be joined in the company of the Saints in thy heavenly kingdom. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION.

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God: that, as we do implore thee to have compassion on the soul of thy servant N., thy High Priest, so thou wouldst grant unto him to enjoy for ever that in which he hath hoped and believed. Through.

2. For a Bishop Departed the First Mass is said (page 121), but the Prayers as followeth:

COLLECT.

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that like as thou didst cause thy servant N. to enjoy the office of Bishop in thy holy Church after the order of thine Apostles: so he may evermore be joined to the company of the same thy Saints in heaven. Through.

SECRET.

Receive, O Lord, we beseech thee, this our sacrifice for the soul of thy servant N.: that, forasmuch as in this life thou didst give him the dignity of Bishop, so thou wouldst bid him to be joined in the company of the Saints in thy heavenly kingdom. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION.

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that the prayers, which we have this day offered for the soul of thy servant and Bishop N., may effectually obtain for him the pardon of thy mercy: that as he hath ever put his hope and confidence in thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, so he may attain to his perpetual fellowship in heaven. Through the same.

For a Priest departed the same Prayers are said, but Priest is said in place of Bishop. If there be several, the Prayers are said, as above, in the Fourth Mass (page 133).

For a Cardinal Bishop departed is said: thy servant N., Cardinal Bishop, to enjoy the office, etc. For a Cardinal Priest departed is said: thy servant N., Cardinal Priest, to enjoy the office, etc. For a Deacon who is also a Cardinal is said the Prayer: Incline thine ear, which will be found below, after this manner: that the soul of thy servant N., Cardinal Deacon, which thou hast bidden.

3. Other Prayers for a Bishop Departed

COLLECT.

Grant to us, Lord, we beseech thee, that the soul of thy servant and Bishop N., whom thou hast bidden to depart from the trials of this miserable and naughty world, may be made partaker of the fellowship of thine elect. Through.

SECRET.

O God, who didst appoint thy servant N. to be a Bishop in thy Church: mercifully grant, that this holy sacrifice which thou hast ordained for the remission of the sins of the whole world, may effectually avail for his salvation. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION.

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the soul of thy servant and Bishop N., being by this sacrifice cleansed from every stain of sin, may be found worthy to obtain thy pardon and everlasting refreshment. Through.

4. For a Priest Departed. If for several the Prayers are said in the plural number.

COLLECT.

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that like as thou didst cause thy servant N. to enjoy the office of Priest in thy holy Church after the order of thine Apostles: so he may evermore be joined to the company of thy Saints in heaven. Through.

SECRET.

Receive, O Lord, we beseech thee, this our sacrifice for the soul of thy servant N.: that, forasmuch as in this life thou didst give him the dignity of Priest, so thou wouldst bid him to be joined in the company of the Saints in thy heavenly kingdom. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION.

Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that the prayers, which we have this day offered for the soul of N., thy servant and Priest, may effectually obtain for him the pardon of thy mercy: that, as he hath ever put his hope and confidence in thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, so he may attain to his perpetual fellowship in heaven. Through the same.

5. Other Prayers for a departed Priest

COLLECT.

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the soul of thy servant N., whom, while he lived in this world, thou didst adorn with the holy office of thy Priesthood, may evermore rejoice in the glory of heavenly felicity. Through.

SECRET.

Receive, O Lord, we pray thee, this sacrifice which we offer for the soul of N., thy servant and Priest: and, as thou didst vouchsafe to call him to that holy office, so grant that he may receive the due reward of the same. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION.

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the soul of N., thy servant and Priest, may by thee be admitted to the fellowship of thy faithful servants: and be made partaker of eternal blessedness. Through.

6. For a Man Departed

COLLECT.

Incline thine ear, O Lord, unto the prayers wherewith we humbly entreat thy mercy: that the soul of thy servant, which thou hast bidden to depart this life, may by thee be set in the abode of peace and light, and made partaker of the fellowship of thine elect. Through.

SECRET.

We beseech thee, O Lord, that the soul of N., thy servant, may by this holy sacrifice, which thou hast ordained for the remission of the sins of the whole world, effectually attain to everlasting salvation. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION.

Absolve, O Lord, we pray thee, the soul of this thy servant from every bond of sin: that at the general Resurrection at the last day he may find refreshment in the glory of thy Saints. Through.

7. For a Woman Departed

COLLECT.

We beseech thee, O Lord, of thy loving-kindness to have mercy on the soul of this thy handmaiden: that, being purged from all the defilements of our mortal nature, she may be restored to the portion of everlasting felicity. Through.

SECRET.

Grant, O Lord, we pray thee, that by this holy sacrifice, whereby alone we can obtain deliverance from our sins, the soul of thy handmaiden may be absolved from all her offences: that by the merits of this our bounden duty and service she may receive everlasting mercy. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION.

We beseech thee, O Lord, that, forasmuch as thou hast suffered the soul of this thy handmaiden to receive the succour of this pledge of thy never failing mercy: thou wouldest grant unto her to enter into the fellowship of thy Saints in everlasting light. Through.

8. For Father and Mother

COLLECT.

O God, who didst command thy people, saying: Honour thy father and thy mother: of thy loving-kindness have mercy on the souls of my father and mother and forgive them all their sins; and I humbly pray thee that thou wouldest grant unto me to behold their faces in the glory of eternal felicity. Through.

SECRET.

Accept, O Lord, I pray thee, the sacrifice which I offer unto thee for the souls of thy servants my father and my mother: and grant unto them to enjoy in the land of the living everlasting blessedness; and unto me that I may be joined unto them in the felicity of thy chosen. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION.

Grant, O Lord, we pray thee, that this partaking of thy heavenly Sacrament may obtain for the souls of my father and mother rest and everlasting life; and that with them I may receive the crown of thy everlasting grace. Through.

¶ In the above prayers the words We, Us, and Our may be said in place of I, Me, and My.

If for one parent only these prayers shall be said in the singular number.

9. For Dead Brethren, Kinsfolk, and Benefactors

COLLECT.

O God, who desirest not the death of a sinner but rather that all mankind should be saved: we beseech thee mercifully to grant that the brethren, kinsfolk, and benefactors of our congregation, who have passed out of this world, may by the intercession of blessed Mary Ever-Virgin and of all thy Saints come to enjoy with them everlasting blessedness. Through.

SECRET.

O God, of whose merciful kindness there is no end, favourably accept our prayers: and through this Sacrament of our salvation grant unto the souls of our brethren, kinsfolk, and benefactors, whom thou didst number among them that confess thy Name, the remission of all their sins. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION.

Grant, we beseech thee, almighty and merciful God: that the souls of our brethren, kinsfolk, and benefactors, for whom we have now offered unto thee this sacrifice of praise, may by the operation of this Sacrament be cleansed from every stain of sin, and by thy mercy attain the blessedness of eternal light. Through.

10. For Those who rest in a Cemetery

COLLECT.

O God in whose mercy do rest the souls of thy faithful people: mercifully grant to thy servants and handmaidens, and to all that here and in all places do rest with Christ, the remission of all their sins; that, being delivered from every bond of iniquity, they may rejoice with thee in everlasting bliss. Through.

SECRET.

We beseech thee, O Lord, graciously to receive these our oblations, which we offer unto thee for the souls of thy servants and handmaidens and of all Christian people who here and in all places are asleep in Christ: that by this wondrous sacrifice they may be delivered from the dreadful bonds of death, and be found worthy to enter into everlasting life. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION.

O God, the light of the souls that put their trust in thee, mercifully assist our prayers: and grant unto thy servants and handmaidens that here and in all places do rest in Christ, to find a place of refreshing and the blessedness of thy rest, and to enjoy the glory of everlasting light. Through.

11. For Many Persons Departed

COLLECT.

O God, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive: have compassion on the souls of thy servants and handmaidens and grant unto them the remission of all their sins; that, being delivered from the bonds of this our mortal nature, they may be found worthy to pass into everlasting life. Through.

SECRET.

We beseech thee, O Lord, that the souls of thy servants and handmaidens may by this holy sacrifice, which thou hast ordained for the remission of the sins of the whole world, effectually attain to everlasting salvation. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION.

O God, to whom alone it belongeth to heal the souls of them that are departed from this life: grant, we pray thee, that the souls of thy servants and handmaidens, being cleansed from the defilements of this earthly life may receive a portion in the number of thine elect: Who livest.

12. Other Prayers for many Persons Departed

COLLECT.

Grant, O Lord, we pray thee, to the souls of thy servants and handmaidens thy perpetual mercy: that, as they have hoped and trusted in thee, so this their hope and faith may be profitable unto them to life everlasting. Through.

SECRET.

We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to look upon these our oblations: that these things which we humbly offer unto the glory of thy Name may be profitable unto them that are departed hence for the remission of all their sins. Through.

POSTCOMMUNION.

Accept, O Lord, we pray thee, the prayers which we humbly offer unto thee for the souls of thy servants and handmaidens: beseeching thee to grant that, whatever defilements they may have contracted in their conversation in this life being pardoned by thy goodness, they may be made partakers of those unspeakable joys that thou hast prepared for thine elect. Through.

The Absolutions of the Dead

¶ After Mass, the Priest lays aside the maniple and chasuble, and puts on a black cope. Then, standing at the foot of the catafalque, he says the following prayer which, however, is omitted if the body be absent.

COLLECT.

Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified, except thou grant unto him remission of all his sins. Therefore, we beseech thee, pronounce not thy judgment upon him, whose cause the faithful prayer of Christian people commendeth unto thee: but grant that by the succour of thy grace, he may be found worthy to escape the avenging judgment, who upon earth was sealed with the sign of the Holy Trinity: Who livest and reignest, world without end. ℟. Amen.

The following Responsory is then said or sung:

Deliver me, O Lord, from everlasting death in that fearful day: When the heavens and the earth shall be shaken: When thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. ℣. I am in fear and trembling, until the sifting be upon us and the wrath to come. Rep. When the heavens and the earth shall be shaken. ℣. Woe is me, for the day of wrath, calamity and misery, the great day of exceeding bitterness. Rep. When thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. ℣. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. Rep. Deliver me, O Lord, as far as I am in fear.

¶ Towards the end of the Responsory the Priest puts incense into the censer and blesses it. Then after:

Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison.

He says with a loud voice: Our Father, and continues silently, while he asperses and censes the bier. Afterwards he says:

℣. And lead us not into temptation. ℟. But deliver us from evil. ℣. From the gates of hell. ℟. Deliver their souls, O Lord. ℣. May they rest in peace. ℟. Amen. ℣. Lord, hear my prayer. ℟. And let my cry come unto thee. ℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray. COLLECT

Absolve, O Lord, we pray thee, the souls of thy servants from every bond of sin, that though they be dead unto the world, yet they may live unto thee: and that whatsoever sins they may have committed through the frailty of the flesh in their earthly conversation may be done away by the pardon of thy most merciful loving-kindness. Through Christ our Lord. ℟. Amen.

¶ But if the body be present the Priest says the following Collect:

Let us pray. COLLECT.

O God, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive, receive our humble petitions for the soul of thy servant N., which this day thou hast commanded to depart out of this world: deliver him not into the hand of the enemy, neither forsake him at the last; but command him to be received by the holy Angels, and brought to the country of paradise; that forasmuch as he hoped and believed in thee, he may not undergo the pains of hell, but be made partaker of everlasting felicity. Through.

¶ Then the Celebrant, making a cross over the bier with his hand, says:

℣. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord. ℟. And let light perpetual shine upon them. The Cantors sing: May they rest in peace. ℟. Amen.

¶ Then the Priest says on the right note:

℣. May his soul (their souls) and the souls of all the faithful departed, by the mercy of God, rest in peace. ℟. Amen.

¶ He then begins the Antiphon:

If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, and with the Clergy recites the Psalm Out of the deep, and preceded by the Cross, returns with the others to the Sacristy. There all repeat the Antiphon If thou, Lord, and the Priest, before he takes off the vestments, says the following Prayers: Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison. Our Father.

℣. And lead us not into temptation. ℟. But deliver us from evil. ℣. From the gates of hell. ℟. Deliver their souls, O Lord. ℣. May they rest in peace. ℟. Amen. ℣. Lord, hear my prayer. ℟. And let my cry come unto thee. ℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray. COLLECT.

O God the Creator and Redeemer of them that believe: grant unto the souls of thy servants and handmaidens the remission of all their sins; that, as they have ever desired thy merciful pardon, so by the supplications of their brethren they may receive the same: Who livest and reignest world without end. ℟. Amen.

℣. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord. ℟. And let light perpetual shine upon them. ℣. May they rest in peace. ℟. Amen.

¶ The Verse May his soul, the Antiphon If thou Lord, and the Psalm and Prayers, are not said, if the Absolution be made for all the Faithful Departed.

The Order of Blessing Water

On a Sunday, the salt and the water to be blessed being made ready in the sacristy, the Priest who is about to celebrate the Mass, or another deputed for the purpose, being vested in an alb or surplice, with a stole about his neck, first says:

℣. Our help is in the Name of the Lord. ℟. Who hath made heaven and earth.

Then straightway he beginneth the exorcism of the salt:

I adjure thee, O creature of salt, by the living ✝ God, by the true ✝ God, by the holy ✝ God: by God, who through Elisha the prophet did command that thou shouldest be cast into the water to the healing of its barrenness: that thou be exorcized for the salvation of all them that believe: be thou made profitable for all them that receive thee, to their healing both in body and soul: let all places wherein thou shalt be sprinkled be delivered from all evil imaginations and wickedness, and the crafts and subtleties of the devil, and let all unclean spirits be exorcized thence, by him who shall come to judge the quick and the dead, and the world by fire. ℟. Amen.

Let us pray. COLLECT.

Almighty and everlasting God, we humbly beseech thy infinite goodness, that thou wouldest vouchsafe of thy mercy to bl✝ess and sanct✝ify this thy creature of salt, which thou hast bestowed for the necessities of mankind: let it be profitable for all them that receive it for their healing both in body and soul: and grant that all such things as are touched or sprinkled with the same may be delivered from all uncleanness, and defended against the assaults of all spiritual wickedness. Through Christ our Lord.

He straightway continueth with the exorcism of the water:

I adjure thee, O creature of water, in the Name of God ✝ the Father Almighty, and in the Name of Jesus ✝ Christ his Son our Lord, and by power of the Holy ✝ Ghost: that thou be exorcized to the casting forth of all the power of the enemy, and that thou be enabled to root out and expel the enemy himself and his apostate angels, through the power of the same Jesus Christ our Lord: who shall come to judge the quick and the dead, and the world by fire. ℟. Amen.

Let us pray. COLLECT.

O God, who in the chiefest of thy sacraments appointed for the salvation of mankind, hast ordained the use of the substance of water: mercifully assist us who call upon thee; pour forth upon this creature, cleansed and made ready for thy service, the abundance of thy bene✝diction: that in the service of thy mysteries the same may effectually receive the power of thy heavenly grace for the casting forth of devils, and the healing of diseases: grant that all such things as in the dwellings or possessions of thy faithful people are sprinkled with this water may be cleansed from all uncleanness, and delivered from all evil: suffer not the spirit of pestilence to dwell therein, nor the breath of corruption: cause to depart from thence all the snares of the unseen enemy: and cast forth by the sprinkling of this water all such things as are contrary to the health and peace of them that dwell therein; that like as we do call upon thy holy Name for their salvation, so the same may be effectually preserved against all the assaults of adversity. Through.

Here he thrice putteth salt into the water in the form of a cross, saying once:

Let this mingling of salt and water be wrought in the Name of the Fa✝ther, and of the S✝on, and of the Holy ✝ Ghost. ℟. Amen.

℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray. COLLECT.

O God, who art the author of strength invincible, the King of the empire that none may overcome, who art ever wondrous in thy triumphs: who quellest the might of the dominion that is against thee: who dost conquer the fierceness of the roaring enemy: and overthrow by thy might the wickedness of the adversary: we beseech thee, O Lord, in fear and in lowliness: that thou wouldest regard with mercy this creature of salt and water, that thou wouldest enlighten the same with thy mercy and sanctify it with the dew of thy loving-kindness; that wheresoever the same shall be sprinkled with the invocation of thy holy Name, the assaults of the unclean spirit may be driven forth from thence, and the dread of the poisonous serpent be cast forth: and grant that in all such places the presence of thy holy Spirit may be vouchsafed to us that call upon thy mercy. Through . . . in the unity of the same Spirit. ℟. Amen.

The Asperges

¶ The following order for the aspersion of holy water is to be observed on all Sundays before the principal Mass, even though it be not sung.

Having blessed the water, the Priest who is going to celebrate, vested in a cope of the colour of the day, proceeds to the Altar. And there kneeling, even in Eastertide, with the ministers below the steps, he receives the aspersory from the Deacon, and first asperses the Altar thrice, then himself, and, standing up, the ministers, beginning the Antiphon Thou shalt purge me. And the Quire continues: O Lord, with hyssop, etc., as below. Meanwhile the Celebrant asperses the Clergy, and then the people, saying with a low voice with the ministers the Psalm Have mercy upon me, O God.

VII. [Plainsong staff in the scan image, not transcribed here.]

Antiphon. Thou shalt púrge me,* O Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be clean: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Ps. 51. Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness. ℣. Glory be to the Father. And the Antiphon is repeated: Thou shalt purge me.

This Antiphon is said after the manner prescribed in the aspersion of holy water on Sundays throughout the year: except upon Passion Sunday and upon Palm Sunday, when Glory be to the Father is not said, but after the Psalm Have mercy, the Antiphon Thou shalt purge me, is immediately repeated.

In Eastertide also, that is from Easter Sunday until Pentecost inclusively, is sung this Anthem:

VIII. [Plainsong staff in the scan image, not transcribed here.]

Antiphon. I be-held wa-ter issuing from the right side of the temple, alleluia: and all to whom that water came were saved, and they shall say, alleluia, alleluia.

Ps. 118. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious: because his mercy endureth for ever. ℣. Glory be to the Father.

Antiphon is repeated. I beheld water issuing.

On Trinity Sunday is resumed: Thou shalt purge me, O Lord.

On the Feastdays of Easter and Pentecost, in places where there is a Baptismal Font, the aspersion is made with the water blessed the previous day in the Font for Baptism, and taken from it before the infusion of the Oil and Chrism.

¶ Having finished the Antiphon after the manner prescribed above, the Priest who has sprinkled the water, returning to the Altar, with joined hands, says:

℣. O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us. In Eastertide is added: Alleluia. ℟. And grant us thy salvation. ℣. Lord, hear my prayer. ℟. And let my cry come unto thee. ℣. The Lord be with you. ℟. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray. COLLECT.

O Lord holy, Father almighty, everlasting God, we beseech thee to hear us: and vouchsafe to send thy holy Angel from heaven, to guard and cherish, protect and visit, and evermore defend all that dwell in this dwelling-place. Through Christ our Lord. ℟. Amen.

[Endpiece: LAUS DEO device with cherubs, closing the G series.]

Source: The Anglican Missal (London: Society of SS. Peter and Paul, 1921), Masses for the Dead, scan PDF pp. 1419–1454 (printed G121–G156). Scan: Internet Archive digitization of the Trinity College, Toronto copy.

Source pages

Thumbnails of the source pages for the transcription above (Masses for the Dead, scan PDF pp. 1419–1454). Click any thumbnail for the full page image.