The Blessing of the James Grace Graves April 30, 2023
Photo Courtesy of Bob Kight
Madalen Kight’s Introduction:
We are here to honor our loved ones. If it wasn’t for James and Margaret, none of us would be here today. I know it was a massive sacrifice for them to leave their home land-their beloved Ireland so let us honor them by remembering them and passing down our family history, photos, stories and traditions; to live by the faith, the values and the morals that they passed down through the generations.
Let us ask our Lord and mother Mary and all our loved ones who have gone before us to watch over us and guide us on our paths in life until we are all together again.
The Blessing:
From the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, amen.
We gather here this morning to bless this sacred place. Our brothers and sisters rest in peace knowing their souls and their spirit are at home with God and also in each of your hearts. So let’s pray to the Lord that He welcome them to the table of God’s children in Heaven. Pray also for ourselves that we may miss them until we are united with them again one day; and together with them, we may meet Christ Jesus because our life appears in glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, by your own three days in the tomb, you hollowed the graves of all who believe in you. You made the grave a son of hope that promises Resurrection even as it claims our mortal bodies.
Grant that our brothers and sisters may sleep here in peace until you awaken them to your glory for you are the Resurrection and the life. Then, they will see you face to face in Your light. We will see Your light and know the splendor of God. We live and reign forever and ever, amen.
We commit them to the earth. The Lord has taken them upon himself. The Lord Jesus Christ will change our mortal bodies to be like His in glory. So let’s commend our brothers and sisters to the Lord that the Lord may embrace them.
And pray now together in the words that Jesus taught us.
Our Father Who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
This prayer has been prayed for God’s pleasure.
Merciful Lord, you know the anguish of the sorrowful. You are attentive to the prayers of the humble. Hear your people who craft you in their knee and strengthen their hope in Your lasting goodness. We ask this to Christ our Lord, amen.
Eternal rest, blood of perpetual life shine upon them, amen.
May their souls and all the souls of God rest in peace, amen.
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, amen.