Burial Day

A lesson from today's Mass for Ember Saturday:

In those days the angel of the Lord went down with Azarias and his companions into the furnace: and he drove the flame of the fire out of the furnace, And made the midst of the furnace like the blowing of a wind bringing dew. And the flame mounted up above the furnace nine and forty cubits: and it broke forth, and burnt such of the Chaldeans as it found near the furnace, the king' s servants that heated it. And the fire touched them not at all, nor troubled them, nor did them any harm. Then these three as with one mouth praised, and glorified, and blessed God in the furnace, saying: Blessed art thou, O Lord the God of our fathers: and worthy to be praised, and glorified, and exalted above all for ever.
Daniel 3:47-52

Collect:

O GOD, who didst allay the flames of fire for the three children, grant in Thy mercy that the flame of vice may not consume us, Thy servants.


Greatly loved sister in Christ, may all of your sufferings be for you blessings; united with the sorrows of Christ, may they kindle in you wisdom and love, and through grace lead you into glory. May the Divine light shine through you, so that the fires of Purgatory no longer burn nor burden you, but are as a refreshing dew from Heaven.

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Immaculate Heart of Mary, do thou pour drops of the Precious Blood upon the soul of Rebecca, and deliver her from Purgatory.

Brethren, being justified by faith, let us have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access through faith into this grace wherein we stand, and glory in the hope of the glory of the sons of God. And not only so; but we glory also in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience trial; and trial hope; and hope confoundeth not: because the charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost, Who is given to us.
Romans 5:1-5

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My precious love, dearest of companions, best of friends, I pray that God speedily reconciles you to Himself. May the sorrows you suffered on Earth and in Purgatory serve to make you holy and bring you into the closest communion with our all-pure and holy God.

Here are prayers from a funeral Mass, that I now pray for you my friend:

OFFERTORY
	Domine Iesu Christe, Rex gloriae, libera animas omnium fidelium defunctorum de poenis inferni et de profundi lacu: libera eas de ore leonis, ne absorbeat eas tartarus, ne cadant in obscurum: sed signifer sanctus Michael repraesentet eas in lucem sanctam: * Quam olim Abrahae promisisti, et semini ejus. V.: Hostias et preces tibi, Domine, laudis offerimus: tu suscipe pro animabus illis, quarum hodie memoriam facimus: fac eas, Domine, de morte transire ad vitam. * Quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini ejus.		O Lord Jesus 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 the standard-bearer, holy Michael, lead them into that holy light; which Thou didst promise of old to Abraham and to his seed. V.: We offer to Thee, O Lord, sacrifices and prayers: do Thou receive them in behalf of those souls of whom we make memorial this day. Grant them, O Lord, to pass from death to that life which Thou didst promise of old to Abraham and to his seed.

POSTCOMMUNION
	Praesta, quaesumus omnipotens Deus: ut anima famulae tuae Rebecca, quae hodie de hoc saeculo migravit, his sacrificiis purgata, et a peccatis expedita, indulgentiam pariter et requiem capiat sempiternam. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum: Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus per omnia sæcula sæculorum.		Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God; that the soul of Thy servant handmaid Rebecca, who this day has departed out of this world, being purified by this sacrifice, and delivered from her sins, may receive both pardon and everlasting rest. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, forever and ever.

(After the Last Gospel) Enter not into judgment with Thy servant, O Lord; for, save Thou grant him forgiveness of all his sins, no man shall be justified in Thy sight. Wherefore suffer not, we beseech Thee, the sentence Thou pronouncest in judgment upon one whom the faithful prayer of Christian people commends to Thee to be a doom which shall crush her utterly. Rather succor her by Thy gracious favor, that she may escape Thine avenging justice who, in her lifetime, was signed with the seal of the holy Trinity. Who livest and reignest through all the ages of ages. R.: Amen.
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And burial prayers:

In paradisium * deducant te Angeli: in tuo adventu suscipiant te Martyres et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Jerusalem. Chorus Angelorum te suscipiat, et cum Lazaro quondem paupere aeternam habeas requiem.

May the Angels lead thee into paradise: may the Martyrs receive thee at thy coming, and lead thee unto the holy city of Jerusalem. May the choir of Angels receive thee, and mayest thou have eternal rest with Lazarus, who once was poor.

O God, by whose mercy the souls of the faithful find rest, vouchsafe to bless Rebecca's grave, and appoint it; and release the souls of all these whose bodies are buried at St. Michael's cemetery from every bond of sin, that they may always rejoice in Thee with Thy Saints for ever. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, through all the ages of ages.

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Ego sum * resurrectio et vita: qui credit in me, etiam si mortuus fuerit, vivet: et omnis qui vivit et credit in Me, non morietur in aeternum.

I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, although he be dead, shall live; and every one that liveth, and believeth in Me, shall not die for ever.

CANTICLE ¤ Luke 1. 68-79

Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel, * quia visitavit et fecit redemptionem plebis suae:    Et erexit cornu salutis nobis * in domo David pueri sui.    Sicut locutus est per os sanctorum, * qui a saeculo sunt, Prophetarum ejus.    Salutem ex inimicis nostris, * et de manu omnium qui oderunt nos.    Ad faciendam misericordiam cum patribus nostris, * et memorari testamenti sui sancti.    Jusjurandum quod juravit ad Abraham patrm nostrum, * daturum se nobis.    Ut sine timore, de manu iminicorum nostrorum liberati, * serviamus illi:    In sanctitate et justitia coram ipso, * omnibus diebus nostris.    Et tu puer Propheta Altissimi vocaberis: * praeibis enim ante faciem Domini parare vias ejus.    Ad dandam scientiam salutis plebi ejus, * in remissionem peccatorum eorum;    Per viscera misericordiae Dei nostri: * in quibus visitavit nos oriens ex alto.    Illuminare his, qui in tenebris et in umbra mortis sedent: * ad dirigendos pedes nostros in viam pacis.    Requiem aeternam * dona eis Domine.    Et lux perpetua * luceat eis.    Antiphona. Ego sum * resurrectio et vita: qui credit in me, etiam si mortuus fuerit, vivet: et omnis qui vivit et credit in Me, non morietur in aeternum.    Kyrie, eleison.    Christe, eleison.    Kyrie, eleison.    Pater noster . . . (secreto).

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; because He hath visited and wrought the redemption of His people.    And He hath raised up the horn of salvation to us, in the house of David His servant.    As He spoke by the mouth of His holy Prophets, who are from the beginning.    Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us.    To work mercy with our fathers: and remember His holy testament.    The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, that He would grant us.    That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve Him without fear.    In holiness and justice before Him, all our days.    And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways.    To give the knowledge of salvation to His people, unto the remission of their sins.    Through the bowels of mercy of our God, in which the Orient from on high hath visited us.    To enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death: to direct our feet in the way of peace.    Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.    And let perpetual light shine upon them.    Ant. I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, although he be dead, shall live; and every one that liveth, and believeth in Me, shall not die for ever.    Lord, have mercy.    Christ, have mercy.    Lord, have mercy.    Our Father . . .(silently)

V.: Et ne nos inducas in tentationem.    R.: Sed libera nos a malo.    V.: A porta inferi.    R.: Erue, Domine, animam ejus.    V.: Requiescat in pace.    R.: Amen.    V.: Domine, exaudi orationem meam.    R.: Et clamor meus ad te veniat.    V.: Dominus vobiscum.    R.: Et cum spiritu tuo.    Oremus.

V.: And lead us not into temptation.    R.: But deliver us from evil.    V.: From the gate of hell.    R.: Deliver her soul, O Lord.    V.: May she rest in peace.    R.: Amen.    V.: O Lord, hear my prayer.    R.: And let my cry come before Thee.    V.: The Lord be with you.    R.: And with thy spirit.    Let us pray.

Prayer. -- Grant to Thy handmaid departed, O Lord, we beseech Thee, this favor, that she who desired to do Thy will may not receive punishment for her deeds; and that even as here on earth the true faith joined her to the ranks of the faithful, so in heaven by Thy mercy she may have fellowship with the choirs of Angels. Through Christ our Lord. R.: Amen.

V.: Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine.    R.: Et lux perpetua luceat ei.    V.: Requiescat in pace.    R.: Amen.    V.: Anima ejus, et animae omnium fidelium defunctorum, per misericordiam Dei requiescat in pace.    R.: Amen.

V.: Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.    R.: And let perpetual light shine upon her.    V.: May she rest in peace.    R.: Amen.    V.: May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.    R.: Amen.

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I leave now for your burial, followed by a memorial service. Not exactly as I would have chosen to do it, but your family honors your memory as well as they can, and I desire peace with them, and with you. God's blessings on you, Rebecca, and may you be at peace until we meet again. I love you.

Saint Basil the Great, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church, pray for her.
Saint Athanasius, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church, pray for her.