Minister: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Priest: May the grace and peace of Christ be with you.
All: And with your spirit.
or
Lay Minister: May the Lord grant us peace, now and for ever.
All: Amen.
Minister: Throughout history God has manifested his love and care for those who have suffered from violence, hatred, and oppression. We commend N.to the healing mercy of God who binds up all our wounds and enfolds us in his gentle care.
Reader: Matt 10:28-33
Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the holy gospel according to Matthew:
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
The gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
With my own voice I cry to the LORD;
with my own voice I beseech the LORD.
Before him I pour out my complaint,
tell of my distress in front of him. (R)
With my own voice I cry to the LORD;
with my own voice I beseech the LORD.
Before him I pour out my complaint,
tell of my distress in front of him. (R)
I cry out to you, LORD, I say, “You are my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.”
Listen to my cry for help,
for I am brought very low.
Rescue me from my pursuers,
for they are too strong for me. (R)
Minister: Let us pray to the Lord God, the defender of the weak and powerless, who delivered our ancestors from harm, saying: DELIVER US FROM EVIL, O LORD.
1. For N., that he/she may be freed from pain and fear, we pray to the Lord. (R)
2. For all who are victims of crime oppression, we pray to the Lord. (R)
3. For an end to all acts of violence and hatred, we pray to the Lord. (R)
4. For those who harm others, that they may change their lives and turn to God, we pray to the Lord. (R)
Minister: The Lord heals our wounds and strengthens us in our weakness; let us pray as Christ has taught us:
All: Our Father…
(A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched over the person;
a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined.)
Lord God,
your own Son was delivered into the hands of the wicked, yet he prayed for his persecutors and overcame hatred with the blood of the cross.
Relieve the suffering of N.; grant him/her peace of mind and a renewed faith in your protection and care.
Protect us all from the violence of others, keep us safe from the weapons of hate, and restore to us tranquility and peace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All : Amen.
(As circumstances suggest, the minister in silence may sprinkle the person with holy water)
(If a priest is present, he concludes the rite by saying:)
May God bless you with his mercy, strengthen you with his love, and enable you to walk in charity and peace.
All: Amen.
And may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
(A lay minister concludes the rite by signing himself or herself with the sign of the cross
and saying:)
May God bless us with his mercy, strengthen us with his love, and enable us to walk in charity and peace.
All: Amen.