Bishop's Note: Prayers for a Vigil

Bishop Eric Menees

Dear brothers and sisters, I hope you had a blessed First Sunday after Epiphany! Today we will continue our examination of the Pastoral Rites section of the 2019 Book of Common Prayer. We’ve been going through the section on Ministry to the Dying, and today we look at the core of that section, Prayers for a Vigil.

Prayers for a Vigil first appeared in the 1979 BCP. This beautiful service allows a smaller group of family and friends time to gather before the funeral for more personal prayer in addition to the larger more formal service the next day. 

In the 1979 BCP this service had the same opening address, but relied on readings from the funeral and only had a litany. The 2019 BCP has significantly changed not only the parts of the service but also its emphasis. Rather than just being a smaller version of the funeral, the vigil’s readings and prayers are more focused on the loved ones gathered together and remembering the hope that they and their departed loved one have as Christians. 

The Minister says

Dear Friends: It was our Lord Jesus himself who said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Let us pray, then, for our brother N., that he may rest from his labors, and enter into God’s eternal Sabbath rest.

A psalm may be prayed. Psalms 23 and 121 are particularly appropriate. One or more of the following Lessons is read.

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.             1 Thessalonians 4:13-15

That emphasis can especially be seen in the first option for readings. The passage from 1 Thessalonians 4 is Paul speaking directly to that hope we have as Christians in the resurrection. It’s not just a hope for us, but for all the faithful. 

The following and other additional prayers may be said. The Litany at the Time of Death (pages 237-239) may also be used.

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant N., being raised with Christ, may know the strength of his presence and rejoice in his eternal glory; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: deal graciously with those who mourn [especially _________]. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

After the reading we get a more flexible time of prayer. This section is for additional prayers and a few options like the Litany at the Time of Death are provided. This is a great time for the family to put their thoughts and feelings to prayer. Rather than a eulogy where a life is praised, this is a time where thanksgiving can be given to God for that life, and those dealing with any concerns or struggles can turn to God for comfort. 

The Minister says

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray

Minister and People say together

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.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

The Minister says

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.                Romans 15:13

The Minister may say

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

People And may light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.

Lastly we get this closing, with the Lord’s Prayer being the dominant part of it. This isn’t an individual prayer to “my Father” in heaven, this is addressed to Our Father. It’s such a beautiful prayer that’s never said as an individual, but as the church, the body of Christ. This is a powerful reminder that in times like this we’re not alone, we’re part of something bigger. We have countless brothers and sisters in the church, Christ as our mediator, the Holy Spirit as our comforter, and a Father who loves us more than we could ever know.

I pray you all have a blessed Second Sunday of Epiphany!