THE REQUIEM MASS FOR MY MOTHER

A first cousin from New York just emailed me this photo of my mom and me, which was taken a bit south of Naples in the vicinity of Sorrento, Italy.

The Funeral Mass for Isolina (Lina) Clara Sainati McDonald

At the entrance of the Church, the priest greets the family, and sprinkles the casket and the pall is placed on it. After the priest introduces the sprinkling and then as he actually sprinkles the casket and the pall is placed upon it, the schola chants in English in a simple tone:

“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. To Thee is due the hymn, O God, in Sion; and to Thee shall the vow be paid in Jerusalem. Oh, hear my prayer; unto thee all flesh shall come.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them.”

Then the processional Hymn begins immediately after the chant:

Jesus, Lord, Have Mercy (Tune Adoro Te Devote, Chant V) accompanied by Organ

Jesus Lord, have mercy On the souls so blest, who in faith gone from us Now in death find rest. Here ‘mid stress and conflict toils can never cease; There the warfare ended Bid them rest in peace.

Sorely were they wounded in the deadly strife; Heal them, good Physician With the balm of life. Ev’ry taint of evil, Frailty and decay, Good and gracious Savior, Cleanse and purge away.

Grant them rest eternal After weary fight; Shed on them the radiance Of thy heavnly light. Lead them onward upward, To the holy place Where thy saints, made perfect, Gaze upon thy face.

At the chair the priest chants the opening Collect

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading: First Thessalonians, 4:13-18

Responsorial Psalm: “The Lord is my Shepherd”

Gospel Acclamation

Gospel: #14 John 11: 21-27 (short form)

Homily

Offertory: The Latin chanted version of the Offertory Antiphon chanted in simple tone:

Let perpetual light shine upon her, with your Saints for ever, for you are merciful. Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her with your Saints forever, for you are merciful.

This is followed by Schubert's Ave Maria instrumental

Sanctus (Latin)

Mystery of Faith: (in chant mode from the revised 2011 Roman Missal)
We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.

Great Amen: Danish

The Our Father, chanted in English

Agnus Dei: Latin, chanted

Communion: As soon as the priest begins to receive Holy Communion, the schola sings:

We await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our mortal bodies, to conform with his glorified body.

Then for the Holy Communion Procession of the laity as they are receiving Holy Communion:

O Living Bread from Heaven (Tune, “The Church’s One Foundation”)
By: Johann Rist

O Living Bread from heaven,
How well you feed your guest!
The gifts that you have given
Have filled my heart with rest.
Oh, wondrous food of blessing,
Oh, cup that heals our woes!
My heart, this gift possessing,
With praises overflows.

My Lord, you here have led me
Within your holiest place
And here yourself have fed me
With treasures of your grace;
For you have freely given
What earth could never buy,
The bread of life from heaven,
That now I shall not die.

You gave me all I wanted;
This food can death destroy.
And you have freely granted
The cup of endless joy.
My Lord, I do not merit
The favor you have shown,
And all my soul and spirit
Bow down before your throne.

Lord, grant me then, thus strengthened
With heavenly food, while here
My course on earth is lengthened,
To serve with holy fear.
And when you call my spirit
To leave this world below,
I enter, through your merit,
Where joys unmingled flow.

Once Holy Communion is completed, all singing and organ music concludes for a time of silent meditation.

Prayer after Communion

The Rite of Commendation:

Song of Farewell: “Saints of God” by Philip Duffey, with the congregation singing the refrain, cantor or choir sings the verses.

The Refrain:

“Receive her soul and present her to God the most high.”

Recessional: English Version of “In Paradisum” sung by schola as the casket it taken from the church.