II. DEATH RE-UNITES US TO CHRIST


Death is wrapped in the paschal mysteryand our lips, like the stone
removed from the t omb, must proclaim that in Christ our life does
not come to an end in the dust of the earth. The good we have done
remains as a treasure in heaven and as the heritage we leave to the
boys. Beyond the veil of suffering and sadness, death must be
celebrated as the "birthday" of our new life in the Kingdom of God.
The saying of Don Bosco; "A piece of paradise wilI settle everything"
has finally become a reality far our brother who has spent himself in
the Congregation. He desires that we forget the unpleasant memories
of his life, just as the Father has freed him from the remnants of sin,
bringing to a conclusion his journey of suffering and conversion
through the sacred anointing and the holy viaticum. The prayerful
vigil at his bier is an act of faith in and a witness to the resurrection.
_
The memory of our brother, recalled with hearts weighed down with
sorrow but not despair, becomes prayer and longing to unite ourselves
one day at the same sacred banquet. Both the eucharistic celebration
and the funeral rites must clearly bring out the paschal dimension, the
passage from a lire weighed down by sin to a full life in Christ
achieved through a deliberate andprofound interior purification. The
daily and anual suefrages become the ocasion to strengthen the unico
n betwen the militant Church and the triumphant.

SUGGESTED SCHEMES OF CELEBRATION

We give here
some schemes of prayers for the deceased: prayerv igil,rosary, daily
remembrance of the departed and comunity visit to the cemetery.

1. PRAYER-VIGIL FOR THE DEPARTED

GREETING OF THE CELEBRANT
C Brethren, we are gathered here around our brother, who
has left us. He has shared
our
lire, believed what we believe ,
worked in the Lord's vineyard, and his now returned to
the Father. We are immersed in sorrow. This sad event afects our
community and each one of us. But we must se
it in the light of faith. The word of God gives it sense and
meaning. Death does not break our ties with our brother. It only
transforms them. We can still help him and he too can help us. The
bond is reciprocal prayer. We will pray
far him, and to him. We are sure to have in him our intercessor
before God.


INTRODUCTORY PRAYERS
One or more of the following psalms may be recited or sung in
alternate choirs,each psalm being concluded with a suitable prayer
that recalls the memory of the deceased.
- Ps. 130.
Am. To you, O Lord, I lift up my voice. (or) ° My souI hopes in the
Lord.
- Ps. 23.
Ant. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
- Ps. "114,1-8; Ps. 115,1-11.
Ant. May Christ the Lord welcome you in paradise.
Should each of the psalms not be followed by a spontaneous prayer,
this section can be concluded by one of the following prayers. ,

C Let us pray.
Listen, o Lord, to the prayers of your Church for our brother NN. . , Just
as the true faith bound him to com-munity of believers, so may yoar
mercy now unite him to the assembly of the saints, in their home of light
and peace. Through Christ our Lord.
A Amen.

(OR)

c O God, mercifuI Father, you give us the certainty that in the faithful
departed the mystery of the death and resurrection of your Son is
realized. Through this faith that we profess, grant our confrere N.N., who
now sleeps in Christ, the grace to rise withim, in joy of the resurection.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
A Amen.

LISTENING 1'0 THE WORD?
Choose one of the following:
- Job. 19,23-27a.
- 1 Cor. 15,1-4.
- 1 Cor. 15,12-20.
- -- 2 Cor. 5,1.6-10.
.- Jn. 6,35-40.
- Jn. 6,53-58.

REFLECTION
Certain edifying episodes from the life of the deceased may be narrated
by way of reflection. 6r else,certain sections from " The Death of Don
Bosco" could be read.

(1) The Death of Don Bosco
THE LAST MOMENTS OF DON BOSCO'S LIFE
Every Salesian reads with feeling the account of the last days of Don
Bosco's life. Here is t short narrative of the important counsels,
significant conversations and moving moments before the death of Don
Bosco.

WE ARE CHRISTIANS AND WE MUST MAKE A FREE GIFT OF
OUR LIFE TO ) GOD.
Whenever someone approached him, he gave him a souvenir as if he
were about to leave this world. Then taking the hand of Don Bonetti, the
catechist-general, he said: "Be the strong support of Don Rut always." A
little later he turned to his secretary, /lGet ready for' the administration
of the Holy Viaticum. We are Christians and we must make a free gift of
our life to God.

" THE SALESIANS LIVE TO DEFEND THE AUTHORITY OF THE
POPE
Then bishop Cagliero walked in. Don Bosco said to him. "Why do you
think the Holy Father must protect our missions? You will tell the Holy
Father what has been so far kept a secret. The Congregation and the
Salesians have a special duty to uphold the authority of the Pope
wherever they go. Protected by him, you will go to Africa. You will
cross it. You will go to Asia and beyond. Have

faith. "FORGETFUL OF HIMSELF AND THOUGHTFUL OF
OTHERS
When a certain missionary, Don Cassini, carne to see him, Don Bosco
whispered in his ear: " l understand your mother is in straits. Speak to
me freely and only to me. No one else shall come to know about what
you tell me. Then [ myself will give

you whatever is necessary, without anyone else's knowledge. " He would
inquire of everyone present about their health, whether they were
sufficiently protected from the cold, whether they. needed anything. He
would ask everyone, even bishop Cagliero, how they spent the day and
what works they had at hand. He was concerned about those who served
him and treated him. He feared they might fall sick on account of the
loss of sleep and recreation. The infirmarians , however, were tireless. '
Such was their love for Don Bosco that they were ready to make any
sacrifice to serve him. Don Bosco's heart in t urn was full of fatherIy
love for them. But h is love had a unique mark. He l oved all in such a
way that each one thought that he was the predilect of Don Bosco.
In the forenoon he spoke to Don Durando: "I request you to
thank alI the doctors in my Dame far alI the care they have taken
of me with so much charity."

HELP ME TO RECEIVE JESUS
A little later his confessor and friend Fr. Giacomelli, carne in:
They spent a few minutes alone.
Don Bosco had expressed such a resolute desire for receiving Holy
Viaticum that no one wished to take the responsibility of postponing it
further. Therefore 00 24th morning preparations were made for the
administration of the last sacraments. When Don Bosco was informed
about it, he requested Don Bonetti and Don Viglietti: "HeIp me , heIp
me to receive Jesus. I am confused... In manus tuas, Domine,
commendospiritum meum.
"The procesion consisting of al tar boys, clerics and priests, came out of
the main entrance of the church, and entered the Oratory throughthe main
gate. Don Bosco was moved when he heard the singing. When the
Blessed Sacrament was brought in by

bishop Cagliero, he burst into tears . He had put on a stole and looked
like an angel.

TO DlE WITHOUT A PENNY IN THE POCKET
Then he said to Don Viglietti: "Please see if there is any money in my
pokets. My purse and pocket book are there . I don't think there is any
money. But if by chance you find any, please give it to Father Rua. I
want to die in such a way that people may say, Don Bosco died without
a penny in his pocket."

HE SPOKE OF NOTHING BUT ETERNITY
AlI these gestures of Don Bosco induced the superiors to decide that
Bishop Cagliero should administer the Anointing of the Sick to Don
Bosco. He, however, asked that they request the blessing of the Holy
Father first. It was immediately seen to. After receiving the Anointing of
the Sick, Don Bosco spoke of nothing but eternity.

LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS BROTHERS
Towards dusk Don Bosco sent for Don Rua and bishop Cagliero. Then
mustering the little strength still left in him, he gave them his message
for themselves and for alI the Salesians: "Put your affairs in order. Love
each other as brothers. Love each other, heIp each other and standby each
other as brothers. The heIp of God and Mary HeIp of Christians will
never fail you. Recommend to alI my eternal salvation and pray far me.
'Alter alterius onera portate ... Exemplum bonorum operum...'" Finally
he repeated the same words: "promise that you wiII Iove one another as
brothers. Insist on frequent communion and devotion to Mary HeIp of
Christians.

" RUSH TO SAVE THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE
Suddenly Don Bosco pulld himself up and clapping his hands,

exclaimed: "Rush to save those young people. Mary most Holy, help
them. Mother, Mother..." He suffered much because he could hardly
change his position. Those who assisted him begged him to think of
Jesus who suffered greatly on the cross unable to move any li mb. Don
Bosco replied: " Is, that is what I do always."

OUR CONGREGATION IS DIRECTED BY GOD
AND PROTECTED BY MARY ' HELP OF CHRISTIANS
Don Bosco joined hands and prayed. Don Sala alIowed him to rest for a
few minutes and then whispered in his ear: "Don Bosco, now you will be
happy at the thought that after such a lire of sacrifice and want you have
succeeded in starting houses i n various parts or the world, and in
establishing the Salesian Congregation on a solid roundation." Don
Bosco.replied: "What I have done, I have done far the Lard. I could have
done more... My sons will complete the work... Our Congregation is
directed by God and protected by Mary Help of Christians."

INTO YOUR HANDS, O LORD, I COMMEND MY SPIRIT
During the day, Don Bosco had told his secretary: "When I shall not be
able to speak and when someone comes asking far my blessing, lift my
hand and make the sign of the cross, pro - nouncing the formula. I shall
put the intention."
In his coma, he could understand nothing except when someone spoke to
him or heaven and the things orthe soul. In these cases he would nod in
recognition.
If anyone suggested an ejaculatory prayer, he wound move his lips.
When Don Bonetti prayed: "Mary, Mother of Grace, protect us from the
enemy," Don Bosco continued "And receive us at the hour of death."

Often during the day he would say, "Mother!Mother!" At times he
wouId add: "Tomorrow, tomorrow." He whispered lime and again the
words: "Jesus, Mary! Jesus, Mary, I give you my heart and soul. Into
your hands, O Lord; I commend myspirit. Mother, O Mother, open far
me the gates of heaven." He also continued repeating certain scriptural
texts that had been his rule of lire and the norm in alI his works: "Lave...
lave your enemies. Bless those who persecute you. Seek the kingdom of
God. Cleanse me, Lord; cleanse me, Lord; cleanse me from my sin."
At the sound of the Angelus bell, Don Bonetti invited Don Bosco to
greet Our Lady saying, "Viva Maria." He repeated in an audible and
devout voice: "Viva Maria."
One of the Iast sayings Don Bosco told Don Rua was: "Make yourself
loved."

As further alternatives, we give references of readings which can be
found in the Office of the Hours.
(2) Christ will change our lowly body (S1. Anastasius Office of the
Dead).
(3) The Risen Christ is the hope of all believers (S1. Braullo - Office of
the Dead).
(4) It is a holy thought to pray far the dead (St. Gregory Nazlansen -
Friday, XXXI Week of Ordinary Time).
(5) We must die with Christ if we wish to live with him (S1. Ambrose -
Nov.1: Commemoration of alI the faithful departed).
(6) I will sing far ever of the mercies of the Lord (St. Aioysius Gonzaga -
June 21: Memoria or the Saint).
(7) Let us carry the death of Jesus in our bodies (St. Ambrose - Saturday,
XXXI Week of Ordinary Time).
(8) He who conquers death shall not be hurt by the second

death (St. Fulgentius of Ruspe- Monday, XXXIII Week of Ordinary
Time).
(9) Putting aside the fear of death lei us think about immortality
(St.Cyprian - Friday, XIV Wek ofOrdinary Time).
(1O) The death of St. Monica (St. Augustine - August 27: Memoria of
the Saint).
(11) Example of St. Martin's death (Sulpicius Severus - November 11:
Memoria of the Saint).

PROFESSION OF FAITH
C This is the message we have received.
A This is our faith: Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures.
He was buried and rose again on the third day, according to the
Scriptures, and appeared to Cephas and the twelve.
C The Lord is risen:
the first fruit of the dead.
A Just as all of us have died in Adam,
so shall we all rise in Christ.


THANKSGIVING
C The Lord be with you.
A And also with you.

C Lift up your hearts.
A We have lifted them up to the Lord.

C Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
A It is right to give him thanks and praise.

C Father, all powerful and .ever living God,

we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Offering himself to die for alI m en, he alone has freed
alI from death and sacrificing his life far us, he has opened far us the
portals of immortal life. Through this mystery of salvation, O Father ,
we know your great lave far us. Now as we await your Kingdom of
infinite justice and peace, we invoke you with the prayer that Jesus has
tanght us.
CA Our Father...

(OR)

INTERCESSIONS
C Brethren, since we ave intimately united with Christ through baptism,
we shall share also his glorious destiny . In him
we are united with each other even beyond death. Let us
turn to him with faith.
A Lord, hear us.
G - For the Church: that she may be in the world the sign of hope, lave
and life, lei us pray.
- For the world: that the will to live, that God has planted in the hearts of
his creatures, may triumph over alI the forces of death, especially of sin,
lei us pray.
- For those who think that death is the end of everything: that the
testimony of our faith may help them regain hope, lei us pray.
- For our confrere N.N., who believed and placed his hope in Christ who
died and rose again: that the Lord may welcome him into his eternal
home, lei us pray.
- For our confrere N.N., who responded to the call of Christ and followed
him till the end of his life: that the Lord may give him the reward of the
good and faithful servant, lei us pray.

- For our confrere N.N." , who nourished himself with the bread of life:
that the Lord may raise him to the joy of the resurrection, let us pray.
- For our confrere N.N ., who was weak and fragile like any man: thathe
Lord may mercifuly fre rum from al his faults, let us pray.
- For all here present: that the Lord may help us to be faithful to him till
the end of our life, let us pray.
A Our Father...

CONCLUDING PRAYER
Prayers from the Funeral Rite or from the Mass far the Dead may also be
used.
C O . 0 Lord,
you are the God of the living,
not of the dead. Listen to our prayer.
Give us an active faith, a strong love
and a persevering hope, and grant
to our confrere joy without end.
Through Christ our Lord.

A Amen.

(OR )

C O God, you are the glory of the believers
and the life of the just, for you have saved us
t hrough the death and resurrection of your Son.
Be merciful to our confrere N.N., who, in his
Salesian apostate , professed his faith
in the resurrection. Bless him with happiness
without end. Through Christ our Lord.

A Amen.

2. ROSARY FOR THE DEPARTED
" following two rosary-services can be used either on the occasion ofthe
annual commemoration of our departed confreres and of those of the
Salesian Family , or at the death of aSale - sian. In this last case the
prayers should be suitably adapted.

A
SORROWFULMYSTERIES
The iirst service is based on the meditation of the sorrowfu1 mysteries,
withreflectionstakenfrolli "The Threefo1dGar1and" Urs von Balthasar.

ENTRANCE HYMN
G" "Death for the Salesian is made bright by the hope of entering into
the joy of bis Lord, and when it happens that a Salesian dies working for
souls, the Congregation has won a great triumph. The memory of
departed confreres unites, 'in a love that .will not pass away', those who
afe stili pilgrims with those who afe already resting in Christ" (Const.
54).
United with the whole Church, in remembrance of our departed
confreres, let us pray together that the Lord may revive our hope as we
tace the reality of death and may help us to work for him till the end. "

D God, come to our aid...
Glory be to the Father...
Eternal test grant unto them...

HYMN TO OUR LADY
"Tbe first mystery: Jesus prayed in thj.: garden of Gethsemane

and sweated blood far us
R In bis frightful anguish of not being equal to what is demanded, he
must struggIe to arrive at the word of as- selle lt is.truly a wrestling
match with hirnself; he must struggle until he produces the "Thy will be
dalle" by overstraining in uttermost weakness. The disciplesafe not up to
the mark in their calling and they leaveJesus alone. We see theit failure:
they sleep far sheer sadness, far desperate confusion, but also because of
a failure in their obedience, which cannot utter the "yes"of faith to the
bit- ter end, which is not watchful and prayerful enough.

G Let us pray far the dying, who afe about togivethe supreme assent of
their lire to God's wilI.
A Our Father... Hai! Mary... Glory be... Eternal rest...


G The second mystery: Jesus is scourged far uso
R The imprisonment, the hearings and the condemnation bavealready
taken pIace when Jesus is led to the whipping post. The consequences of
the greatest misjudgment in human history beginto take effect. For
berealIof mankind is gathered. What God the Father is11Oidingin bis
hand is the Lamb of God, which takes upon itself the sin of the world,
truly and bodily. What is involved bere is a kind of perverse sacrament
that effects interiorIy what it signifies in the extemal image: the
sufferings which are being driven into the body of Jesus afe in truth the
sins of the world, knocked forcibly iuta ali bis divine and human person...
In its totality, Christianity never ceases being Incarnation: God's
incarnation in Christ, the incarnatil;m of 'sin in Christ, and Christ' s
incarnation in our corporeal existence.
G Let us pray far ali the victirns of the meaningless violence of man, of
everyage and condition, that, with Christ, made

the justice of God, they may make reparation far the in- justices of meno
A Our Father... Hai! Mary... Glory be... Eternal rest...

G Thc third mystcry: Jesus is crowned with thorns far uso
R Seen from the outside, scenesof the Passion succeed one another,
alwaysshowingnewaspects of the work of salva- tion. The King's crown
is pressed iuta bis head until it has become.anchored in flesh and balle.
The tnorns of con- tempt lodge deep. These thorns represent
everythingthat rejects the God of majestic humiliation, the God who
washes feet, the God who squanders himself in the Eucharist. lt could be
religion as a work or self- perfectioning or as a bulwark erected against
God, or religion as ritualism and fiere tradition, as bourgeois con- vention
or as magie.ltcould be a godlessnessthat oscillates betweenthe Eastern
and Western extremes, either as denial of the worId or as materialistic
communism, with alI their possible variations. In every case what is
involved is the worIdas self-sufficient,aworld far which God, in the event
that he does exist, is but means to its own goals.
"
G Let us pray far our departed parents who, through their words and
piety, taught us the "religion that is pure and without stain".
A Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be... Eternal rest...

G The fourth mystery: Jesus carried for us the weight of the cross.
R "For us": these two words occur in every sorrowful mystery and we
will here consider them expressly.This "for us" is the first and
fundamental word or Christian faith, the root from which has developed
the entire tree or the Creed and of dogmatics. It is in this that the
Christian principle is

radically different frolli ali other religions and world views, it is bere
that its uniqueness lies. Who would ever surrender bis physical and
spiritual lire far people who afe bis enemies? And who could do it"
efficaciously far ali of humanity in the name of a God who is ignored
and hated, fully empowered by this God to do so out of the common
understanding of a lave that presupposes, precisely, the mystery of God's
Trinity? There must exist the free offer of a lave that seeks to reconcile
the world with God: we find this in the San. There must exist a mandate
that freely allows this to be dalle in obedience: we find this in the
Father. There must exist the indissoluble unity of these two freedoms:
this is the Spirito And in this exchange one last thing is required: the
agreement of "us" far whom the Godmali suffers: this is Mary's word of
assent, spoken in pIace of ali those others who cannot yet utter it, far
otherwise the act of Christ' s substitution far us wpuld not only remai n
one-sided, but indeed exterior.

G Let us pray far our departed confreres and far ali those who bave
continued in the world the mission of Don Bosco.
A Our Father... Hai! Mary... Glory be... Eternal rest...

G The fifth mystery: Jesus died on the cross for uso
R Every word is silenced before this last station of the "way of the
cross", when God's living Word is nailed by meli into deathly
immobility. The mystery of the Cross is the supreme revelationof the
Trinity.The Crossis the turning point, the transition, the Passover.And in
the turning point - in the Crucified - both things coincide: God's fury,
which willmake no compromiseswith sinbut cali only reject it and burn
it to ashes, and God' s lave, which begins to revealitself preciselyat the
pIace of this inexorableconfrontation. It is as such a turning point that
the Crucified

is the Word which the Father addresses to the world. At thi;>momentthe
Wordcannot hear itself. It shatters in the cry far the lostGod. The
mysteriesof the Passionculminate in the cry of the God-forsaken Jesus
on the cross and in bis plunge into the night of a sinner's death. It is
doubtless these mysteries which form the "sorrowful garland". But if we
were to look ahead at the third "glorious garland", wewouldseethat it
revealsonlywhat wasalreadycontained in the Cross in a hidden way: God'
s victory aver our sin in the Bodyof Jesus and in the accompanying,co-
suffering body of bis Mother.

G Let us pray far the departed of the whole world that the Lord may unite
them ali into bis one family.
A Our Father...Hai! Mary...Glory be... Eternalrest...

The Litany of the Blessed Virgin may be recited.

CONCLUDING HYMN

B
MYSTERIESOF OUR FAITH
This alternate rosary-serviceproposes a meditation on some
sa1ientfeaturesof the life of Our Lord taken from the Gospels and gives
some points of reflection taken from our Constitutions.

ENTRANCE HYMN
G "Faith in the risen Christ sustains our hope and keepsalive our
communion with our brothers who Testin Christ' s peace. They
bavespent their livesin the Congregation, and not a few bave suffered
even to the point of martyrdom far lave of the Lord. United with them in
an exchange of

spiritual benefits, we gratefully offer far them the prescribed suffrages.
Their remembrance is an incentive to continue faithfully in our mission
(Const. 94).
D" God, our Father, you created us in a wonderful way according to your
image, and renewed and redeemed us in a stili more wonderful manner.
Have mercy on our departed brothers who professed their faith in the
resurrection and graDt them the possession of eternal joy. We make our
prayer through Christ our Lord.
A Amen.


GThe first mystery: the institution of the Eucharist.
R Lk. 22,14-20.


G The Saiesian community is made ODeby the Eucharist. "The
community celebratesthe paschal mysteryand unites itself to the
immoiated body of Christ, which it receives so as to build itself in him
into a fraternai communion and renew its apostolic commitment" (Const.
88).
To the firstpart ofthe 'Haii Mary' add the words: "...who
became our food".

A Our Father. Hai! Mary. Glory be.G
The second mystery: the way of the Cross.
R Lk. 23,26.G
A journey of continuai conversion. "Aware of our weakness, we respond
by vigilance and sincererepentance,brotherly correction, mutuaI
forgiveness and the calm acceptance of our daiIy cross" (Const. 90).
To the first part ofthe 'Haii Mary' add the words:;'...who
seI out for Caivary".

A Our Father... Hai! Mary... Glory be...


G The third mystery: Mar)!, Mother of the Church.
R Jn. 19,25-27.

G Mar}"in the Me of the Salesian.
"Mary...is a model of prayer and of pastoral lave, the teacher of wisdom
and guide of our Family... Mary Immaculate, Help of Christians, leads
us to the fullness of our offering to the Lord and givesus courage for the
service of our brethren" (Const. 92).
Tothe first parI ofthe 'Haii Mary' add the words: "...who made us brothers
in Mary".
A Our Father... Hai! Mary... Glory be...
"
G The fourth mystery: the death of Jesus.
R Lk. 23,44-46.

G The df'ath of the Saiesian.
" When the hour comes far him to bring bis consecrated lire to its
highest fuIfilment, bis brothers help rum to enter fully into Christ I s
paschal mystery.Death far the Salesian is made bright by the hope of
entering into the joy of bis Lord" (Const. 54).
To the first parI of the 'Hail Mary' add the words: "...who
died far us."
A Our Father... Hai! Mary... Glory be...

G The fifth mystery: the resurrection of Christ.
R Jn. 20,14-18.

G Leading the young to the person of the risen Lord.

"Like Don Bosco, we afe alI called to be educators to the faith at every
opportunityo Our highest knowledge thereforeis to know Jesus Christ and
our greatest delight is to reveal to ali people the unfathomable riches of
bis mysteryo We walk side by side with the young so as to lead them to
the risen Lord, and so discover in him and in bis Gospel the deepest
meaning of their own existence, and thus grow into new meli" (Const.
34).
To the firstpart ofthe IHail Maryl add the words: Il.~owho
rose to give us lifello
A Our-Father... Hail. Mary... Glory be...
G The sixth mystery: the ascensiono
R Acts 1,9-11.
G Contemplative in action.
The Salesian"cultivates union with God, aware of the need to pray
without ceasing in a simpleheart-to-heart collo- . uy quy with the living
Christ and with the Father, whom he feels dose at bando Attentive to the
presence of the Spirit and doing everything for God I s love he becomes
like Don Bosco a contemplative in action" (Const. 12).
To the firstpart ofthe IHail Maryl add the words: Ilo..who
is seated at the right hand of the Fatherlo
A Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be...
G The seventh mystery: the pentecost.
R Jn. 15126-27.
G The witness of holinesso
"The aetion of the Spirit is for the professed member a l asting source of
grace and a support for bis daily efforts

to grow towards perfect love of God and meno The confreres who afe
living or bave lived to the funl the gospel project of the Constitutions afe
for us a stimulus and help on the path of holiness. The witness of such
holiness, achieved within the Salesian mission, reveals the unique worth
of the beatitudes and is the most precious gift we cali offer to the young"
(Const. 25)
To the first part of the IHail Mary I add the words: 110 o owho
sent us the ConsolerloA
Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be...

CONCLUSION
D ) Lord, our God, grani to your faithful to enjoy
.always health in mind and body, and through
the glorious intercession of the most holy
and ever virgin Mary, save us frolli the evils
that sadden us and lead us to everlasting happiness.
We make our prayer through Christ our Lordo
A Amen.

MARIAN ANTIPHON
"Hai! Holy Queen", or during.the Easter Season "Queen of Heaven".

3. THE DAILY REMEMBRANCE
OF THE DEPARTED

Individuai communities should decide on an opportune momeni
for the dailyreadingof the necrology(Regul.47). lt could

be meaningfully dalle at the dose of the intercessions during the Evening
Prayer. OccasionaIly the memory of aIl the departed of the Salesian
Family should be recalled in personal and community prayer. Besides,
the lire, of confreres, who bave distinguished themselves at the local,
provi neiaI or world-Ievel of the Co1'lgregation, could also be recalled
during the "Good Night".

Wepresent here some formulae ofintroduction and conc1usion. These and
others musi express our sense of gratitude to God far their lite and our
suffrage far their lot in heaven.

INTRODUCTION
Let us remember our departed confreres.
- Let us remember our departed confreres whose death anniversary
occurs tomorrow (today).
- Let us pray far our deceased confreres, aware of our own weakness and
misery and at the same lime of the mercifuI lave of our Lord.
- Let us pray far our deceased confreres who, in the pursuit of holiness,
worked far the good of youth in the name of Don Bosco.
- Let us invokethe mercy and peace of God our Father far our deceased
confreres, whose memory is a blessing far those who knew and loved
them.


CONCLUSION
A Eternal rest grant to them,
O Lord, and l et perpetuai
light shi'neupon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

(OR)

G Eternal rest graDt, O Lord,
A to ali who long to be in your peace.

(OR)

G God has raised Jesus frolli the dead:
A may he grant life to our mortai bodies,
through bis Spirit who dwells in uso

4. VISIT TO THE CEMETERY
Besides the foDeraI rites and the daily remembrance of the dead, there is
a very ancient Christian tradition of visiting the cemetery to pray and to
offer suffrages far the dead, thus professing our belief in the resurrection
of the dead.
Where it is possible, it is good to celebrate in the cemeterychapel or in
another suitable pIace a community Mass far all the departed
confreres. Then the community could go in procession from thc pIace
where the Mass was ceIebrated to the tomnb and offer particular prayers
in suffrag'e. The Rite of Funerals contains responsorial psalms, r~adings,
intercessory prayers and conc1uding prayers which can be made lise or.
The prayer at the tomb couId begin with a brief invitation to pray, a
short reading, responsory, the Our Father and a conc1uding prayer
followed by the sprinkling of the tomb with hoIy water.

COMMON INTERCESSIONS

G God, our Father,in your omnipotent pian of saIvation,you

do not destine to the dust those whom you bave created according to your
own image:
A Look on these your sons, we pray you, who bave died in the hope of
their fath~rland in heaven.
G O Christ, San of God, you bave conquered death and the ancient
curse, restoring the tempIe of your body and reopening the gates of
heaven: ,
A Receive in the abode of light and holiness those who bave chosen to
follow you with a sincere heart in the service of youth.

G O Spirit of peace, you were the support of these our confreres in their
moments of difficulties and triaIs. They bave left this world to meet those
who preceded them in the same faith:
A Do noi forget us who afe stili seeking to store up treasures
in heaven inthe hope of everlasting joy.

GA Our Father...
C Let us pray. Receive, O Lord, in the company of your saints our
departed confreres (names could be mentioned). They bave folIowed the
life of perfect leve far the sake of Christ. Grant that their mortai remains
may share in the final resurrection and bless that which you bave
destined for your glory from alI eternity. Through Christ our Lord.
A Amen.

The tomb could besprinkled with holy waterwhileall thepriests present
join in the blessing.

C May the souls of our departed confreres and of alI the departed Testin
peace.
A Amen

An appropriate hymn may be sung.