A Little Book of Consolation

b. Little Book of Consolation_Book of Consolation 17/12/2010 12:17 Page 1

A Little Book of

Consolation

by David Coombs

All booklets are published thanks to the generous support of the members of the Catholic Truth Society

CATHOLIC TRUTH SOCIETY PUBLISHERS TO THE HOLY SEE

b. Little Book of Consolation_Book of Consolation 17/12/2010 12:17 Page 2

2

Contents

Blessed are those who mourn ...............................................4 Prayers .....................................................................................5 From the Psalms......................................................................9 From the Prophet Isaiah .......................................................11 The Patriarch Abraham .........................................................14 From the Prophet Elijah........................................................17 The Annunciation .................................................................19 The Visitation ........................................................................20 The Nativity ...........................................................................22 Jesus walks on the water......................................................24 The labourers in the vineyard..............................................25 The story of Lazarus .............................................................27 Jesus and Nicodemus............................................................31 The garden of Gethsemane..................................................33 The Crucifixion .....................................................................35 The Resurrection ...................................................................38 Easter .....................................................................................42 From the Dream of Gerontius..............................................47 Hymns ...................................................................................53

b. Little Book of Consolation_Book of Consolation 17/12/2010 12:17 Page 3

3

Introductory Note

T

hrough its liturgy and public prayers the Catholic Church powerfully and constantly supports the dead and the dying.

But, the needs of the bereaved, they who mourn, are strangely neglected: an unexpected human and spiritual void that has led me to compile this little publication. Its message is one of personal consolation and thus of hope. To these purposes, a hint or sense of divine mystery is present in all the chosen prayers and readings.

This offering, which has been many years in the making, contains much that will be familiar and some that may not be, none previously brought together in this form, as far as I know.

Intended for personal yet purposeful browsing from time to time, over the needful span, it might be helpful in the first instance to begin with a prayer or a psalm, and then to move on to one or other of the scriptural readings as want, mood or inclination suggests.

AMDG, November 2010

b. Little Book of Consolation_Book of Consolation 17/12/2010 12:17 Page 4

4

Blessed are those who mourn n the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

I

ternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace.

Amen.

E

S

eeing the crowds, Jesus went onto the mountain.

And when he was seated his disciples came to him.

Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them: Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted.

Matthew 5: 1 – 5

I

am the resurrection and the Life. Anyone who believes in me, even though that person dies, will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

John 11: 25

b. Little Book of Consolation_Book of Consolation 17/12/2010 12:17 Page 5

5

Prayers ord, listen to my prayer: turn your ear to my appeal.You are faithful, you are just; give answer.

I remember the days that are past: I ponder all your works.

I muse on what your hand has wrought and to you I stretch out my hands.

Like a parched land my soul thirsts for you.

Lord, make haste and give me answer: for my spirit fails within me.

L

Psalm 142, vv. 1,3,6,7

Our Father ur 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

O

b. Little Book of Consolation_Book of Consolation 17/12/2010 12:17 Page 6

6

Hail Mary ail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.

Amen

H

Memorarae emember, O most loving Virgin Mary, that it is a thing unheard of that anyone ever had recourse to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession, and was left forsaken.

Filled therefore with confidence in your goodness I fly to you, O Mother, Virgin of Virgins.

To you I come, before you I stand, a sorrowful sinner.

Despise not my poor words, O Mother of the Word of God, but graciously hear and grant my prayer.

Amen

R

b. Little Book of Consolation_Book of Consolation 17/12/2010 12:17 Page 7

7

eceive, Lord, in tranquillity and peace, the souls of your servants who have departed out of this present life to be with you.

Give them the life that knows no age, the good things that do not pass away; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

R

Saint Ignatius Loyola

et nothing disturb thee, let nothing affright thee, all passeth away; God alone abideth.

Patience obtaineth all things.

He who hath God can want for nothing.

God alone sufficeth.

L

Saint Teresa of Avila

b. Little Book of Consolation_Book of Consolation 17/12/2010 12:17 Page 8

8

Creed believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

Amen.

I

b. Little Book of Consolation_Book of Consolation 17/12/2010 12:17 Page 9

9

From the Psalms Psalm 129 ut of the depths I cry to you, O Lord, Lord hear my voice!

O let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleading.

O

If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt, Lord who would survive?

But with you is found forgiveness: for this we revere you.

My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word.

My soul is longing for the Lord more than watchman for daybreak.

(Let the watchman count on daybreak and Israel on the Lord.)

Because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption, Israel indeed he will redeem from all its iniquity.