The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia

November 2

ENVIRONMENT:

To the cemetery bring the list of deceased sisters, a significant candle

representing Christ, a cross, and flowers. These can be placed in the circle of those who gather. The flowers can be placed on the sisters' graves at the end of the prayer service.

 

CALL TO PRAYER:

Gathered in the light of Christ, we remember:

To preserve the great deeds of ancestors for the remembrance of their children, gives honor to the former, and shows love in the latter. The ancestors, separated by the passage of time, offer their children a memorable witness. Those who did not know them in their bodily presence are at least spurred to do good by their deeds and encouraged to do better. The first benefit we receive—and a great one—is knowledge of our own smallness. We see their merits abound while ours can hardly be found.

I consider blessed Francis the holiest mirror of the holiness of the Lord, the image of his perfection. I think everything about him, both his words and deeds, is fragrant with God's presence. Anyone who studies them humbly and diligently, will quickly be filled with the teaching of salvation, ready for the saint's highest philosophy.

I will recount a few things about him in a brief and simple style. I think it may be appropriate to mention a few of the many things that will honor the saint and rouse our dozing hearts.

(Thomas of Celano, The Remembrance of the Desire of a Soul, Introduction to the Second Book)

 

OPENING HYMN:

"Remember Your Love" - Darryl Ducote, Gary Daigle

 

PSALM 142: Pray antiphonally.

I pray, I plead,
I cry for mercy, Lord;
I pour out all my troubles,
the story of the distress.

My spirit fails me.

You know the road I walk
and the traps hidden from me.
See what they are doing—
No one befriends me
or cares for me.

There is no escape,
so I turn to you, Lord.
I know you are my refuge,
all I have in the land of the living.
I am pleading, hear me—
I have no strength.

God, rescue me—
They hunt me down,
and overwhelm me.
Free me from this cage—
Then I will praise your name
and gather with the just
to thank you for your kindness.

Glory. . .

 

READING: Wisdom 3: 1-6,9

RESPONSE: Litany of Remembrance

From the list of our deceased sisters, individual sisters read a set of names and respond with Mother Francis Bachmann's words:

"God knows how much I love you. Oh, that I had the happiness to live with you as well as all the others. United with so many good sisters where each one incites the others to serve the Lord always better and to love God more intensely."

 

SHARING:

As Thomas of Celano remembered Francis, so too we gather today to remember our sisters who have gone before us. Please feel free to share your memories.

Those present share their memories.

 

OUR FATHER:

Let us gather these memories and pray in the words Jesus has given us: Our Father . . .

 

CLOSING HYMN:

"Be Exalted"- Brent Chambers