An Anniversary

A few moments ago I returned from the altar of the Lord where I offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass using the prayers "For the Priest's Parents" on this twenty-fourth anniversary of the death of my mother's, Patricia Ann.

On the holy card from her funeral are printed these words of Saint Ambrose:

We have loved her in life, let us not forget her in death.

These words, which are also printed on the holy card from my father's funeral, have long stayed with me and given me much comfort over the years.  They remind us that death is not the end and that it does not completely separate us from those we love.  Death is painful, but it is not final.

Each year on the anniversary of their deaths I celebrate the Mass for them, either in public or in private.  This evening I found the revised translation of the prayers - which I used for the first time -very moving because they express the deepest sentiments of my heart in two humble requests.

Through the prayers, the priest repeatedly prays not only for the eternal rest of his parents, but also to be united with them again.  Because most of  you will likely never hear these beautiful prayers, their texts are as follows:

The Collect:

O God, who commanded us to honor father and mother,
have mercy in your compassion
on my father and mother (our parents),
forgive them their sins,
and bring me (us) to see them one day
in the gladness of eternal glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

The Prayer Over the Offerings: 

Receive, O Lord, the sacrifice we offer you
for my father and mother (our parents);
grant them everlasting joy in the land of the living
and unite me (us) with them
in the happiness of the Saints.
Through Christ our Lord.

The Prayer After Communion: 

May participation in this heavenly Sacrament
obtain perpetual light and rest
for my father and mother (our parents),
we pray, O Lord,
and bring me (us), along with them,
to the fullness of you everlasting glory.
Through Christ our Lord.

At the bottom of the holy card from her funeral a simple prayer was printed.  In your charity, I humbly ask you to kindly offer it for her:

Merciful Jesus, grant enteral rest unto the soul of Thy faithful departed servant and bring her to Thy glory, there to praise and bless Thee forever.  Amen.