Illustration: Christ enthroned in judgment among angels and souls.

Prayers for the Dying

In danger of death, send for the priest. On a table in the sick-room have ready a blessed candle, small bowl and shallow saucer, silver spoon, two linen napkins and a handful of cotton. The priest will arrive bearing the Sacred Host, so meet him at the entrance with proper reverence and as few words as possible, holding in one hand a lighted candle. Awaiting his arrival, the following prayer may be said:

V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee.

R. Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

O God, Who for our redemption didst leave Thy home in heaven to dwell amongst us and show to us the way which leads to Thy Father’s home, have mercy on us, that we may receive the full benefits of Thy sufferings, passion and death which Thou didst so lovingly offer in ransom for our souls.

We have sinned, O Lord, through our years of life and now in the shadow of death we realise the true meaning of our wrongdoing. We have offended Thee, dear Jesus, in thought, word and deed. Have mercy on us, have mercy. We are weak; strengthen us in Thy sight. We are sinful; cleanse us with true contrition for our offenses, so that we may appear before Thee stripped naked of this world and its wickedness. Thou art near, my God, and I hear Thee calling me to prepare for my appearance. I, a sinful mortal, must account to Thee for my every thought, word and deed.

Act of Contrition

O my God! I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life.

The Litany for the Dying

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Holy Mary, pray for him.

All ye holy Angels and Archangels, Pray for him.
Holy Abel, Pray for him.
All ye Choirs of the Just, Pray for him.
Holy Abraham, Pray for him.
St. John the Baptist, Pray for him.
St. Joseph, Pray for him.
All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, Pray for him.
St. Peter, Pray for him.
St. Paul, Pray for him.
St. Andrew, Pray for him.
St. John, Pray for him.
All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, Pray for him.
All ye holy Disciples of the Lord, Pray for him.
All ye holy Innocents, Pray for him.
St. Stephen, Pray for him.
St. Lawrence, Pray for him.
All ye holy Martyrs, Pray for him.
St. Sylvester, Pray for him.
St. Gregory, Pray for him.
St. Augustin, Pray for him.
All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, Pray for him.
St. Benedict, Pray for him.
St. Francis, Pray for him.
St. Camillus, Pray for him.
St. John of God, Pray for him.
All ye holy Monks and Hermits, Pray for him.
St. Mary Magdalen, Pray for him.
St. Lucy, Pray for him.
All ye holy Virgins and Widows, Pray for him.
All ye holy Saints of God, Make intercession for him.

Be merciful, Spare him, O Lord.
Be merciful, O Lord, deliver him.
Be merciful, O Lord, deliver him.

From Thy wrath, O Lord, deliver him.
From the peril of death, O Lord, deliver him.
From an evil death, O Lord, deliver him.
From the pains of hell, O Lord, deliver him.
From all evil, O Lord, deliver him.
From the power of the devil, O Lord, deliver him.
Through Thy birth, O Lord, deliver him.
Through Thy cross and passion, O Lord, deliver him.
Through Thy death and burial, O Lord, deliver him.
Through Thy glorious resurrection, O Lord, deliver him.
Through Thine admirable ascension, O Lord, deliver him.
Through the grace of the Holy Ghost the Comforter, O Lord, deliver him.
In the day of judgment, O Lord, deliver him.

We sinners, Beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou spare him, We beseech Thee, hear us.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.