Prayers and Poems

23rd Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me: Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil: my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

121st Psalm

I will lift mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; He shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Afterglow

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one, I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times, and laughing times, and bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

Blue Skies

God hath not promised skies always blue, flower-strewn pathways all our lives through; God hat not promised sun without rain, joy without sorrow, peace without pain. But God hath promised strength for the day, rest for the labor, light for the way. Grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy undying love….

Come To Me

God saw you getting tired, and a cure was not to be. So He put His arms around you and whispered “Come to Me” With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.

Do Not Cry

Do not cry, I have gone to God. I will wait for you in Heaven where the family will be gathered and the tears will be dried. You whom I loved so much on earth pray for me, live always in a manner so that we may be together in Heaven. Rejoice with me who leave this earth of sorrow to go and prepare a peaceful place for you. Death has separated us, but the memory and the prayers will unite us again. Heart of Jesus be my love… Heart of Mary be my salvation. Goodbye, my loved ones, see you all in Heaven.

Do Not Stand

Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep I am a thousand winds that blow I am the diamond’s gift of snow I am the sunlight on ripened grain I am the autumn’s gentle rain When you awaken in the morning’s hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight I am the soft stars that shine at night Do not stand at my grave and cry I am not there I did not die.

Memorare

Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary that never was it known that anyone who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help, and sought Thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of virgins, My Mother! to Thee I come; before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. Oh Mother of the Word incarnate! despise not my petitions, but, in Thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen. Jesus, Mary, Joseph We love you, we need you, pray for us.

O Gentlest Heart

O gentlest heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls, have mercy on the soul of Thy departed servant. Be not severe in Thy judgment but let some drops of Thy Precious Blood fall upon the devouring flames, and do Thou O Merciful Saviour, send Thy Angels to conduct Thy Departed servant to a place of refreshment, light and peace. Amen. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. Merciful Jesus grant eternal rest.

Resurrection Prayer

O gentlest heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls, have mercy on the soul of Thy departed servant. Be not severe in Thy judgment but let some drops of Thy Precious Blood fall upon the devouring flames, and do Thou O Merciful Saviour, send Thy Angels to conduct Thy Departed servant to a place of refreshment, light and peace. Amen. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. Merciful Jesus grant eternal rest.

Roman Ritual

May the Angels lead you into Paradise, may the Martyrs receive you at your coming, and take you to Jerusalem the holy city. May the choirs of Angels receive you, and may you with the once poor Lazarus, have rest ever lasting. Amen.

St. Augustine

Watch thou, dear Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ, rest your weary ones, pity your dying ones, pity your afflicted ones, and all for you love’s sake!

St. Francis of Assisi

Lord make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master; grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

St. Jude

St. Jude, glorious Apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the true Church invokes you universally as the Patron of things despaired of; pray for me, who am so miserable pray for me, that finally I may receive the consolations and the succor of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations and sufferings, and I may bless God with the Elect throughout Eternity. Amen.

Sunny Skies

All sunny skies would be too bright, All morning hours mean too much light, All laughing days too gay a strain; There must be clouds, and night, and rain, And shut-in days, to make us see the beauty of life’s tapestry

The Lord’s Prayer

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. Amen.

The Precious Gift

One gift, above all others God gives to us to treasure. One that knows no time, no place and one gold cannot measure. The precious, poignant, tender gift of memory– that will keep our dear ones ever in our hearts although God gives them sleep. It brings back long remembered things a song, a word, a smile and our world’s a better place — because we had them for awhile!

To One In Sorrow

Let me come in where you are weeping, friend, and let me take your hand. I, who have known a sorrow such as yours, can understand. Let me come in — I would be very still beside you in your grief; I would not bid you cease your weeping, friend, tears bring relief. Let me come in — I would only breathe a prayer, and hold your hand, for I have known a sorrow such as yours, and understand. —Grace Noll Crowell

Treasured Seasons

For everything there is an appointed season, and a time for everything under heaven- A time for sharing, a time for caring. A time for loving, a time for giving. A time for remembering, a time for parting. You have made everything beautiful in its time for everything you do remains forever.

Walk In Sunshine

May you always walk in sunshine and God’s love around you flow, for the happiness you gave us, no one will ever know. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone, a part of us went with you, the day God called you home. A precious heart stopped beating, and our faith, put to the test. God broke our hearts, to prove to us, He only takes the best. A million times we’ve cried. If love could only have saved you, you never would have died.

Welcome Home

For those I love, for those that love me. When I am gone, release me, let me go. I have so many things to see and do. I thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it’s time I traveled on alone. So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must; then let your grief be comforted by trust. It’s only for a while we must part, so bless the memories. And then when you come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile and “Welcome Home”.

When I Must Leave You

When I must leave you for a little while, please do not grieve and shed wild tears and hug your sorrow to you through the years, but start out bravely with a gallant smile; and for my sake and in my name live on and do all the things the same. Feed not your loneliness on empty days, but fill each waking hour in useful ways. Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer and I in turn will comfort you and hold you near; and never, never be afraid to die, for I am waiting for you in the sky.