The Vigil for the Deceased

The word “vigil” means to keep watch. The Christian community keeps watch with the family as they mourn the loss of a loved one. The gathering of friends and church members offer prayers for the deceased and his/her relatives. The vigil calls on God to receive the deceased into the eternal kingdom of heaven. The vigil normally takes place in a mortuary chapel. The normal structure for the vigil includes the following:

Greeting from the Priest/Deacon/Lay Leader

Opening Prayer

First Reading

A Reading from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians

We know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.

So we are always courageous, although we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight.

Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. Therefore, we aspire to please him, whether we are at home or away.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Responsorial Psalm

Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom do I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom am I afraid?

Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

One thing I ask of the LORD;
this I seek:
To dwell in the LORD'S house
all the days of my life,
To gaze on the LORD'S beauty,
to visit his temple.

Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Hear my voice, LORD, when I call;
have mercy on me and answer me.
Your face, LORD, do I seek!
Do not hide your face from me.

Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

I believe I shall enjoy the LORD'S goodness
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD, take courage;
be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD!

Response: The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Gospel (Read by Priest/Deacon/Lay Leader)

A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to Luke

"Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

The Gospel of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Homily by the Priest/Deacon or reflection by Lay Minister

Prayer of Intercession lead by Minister

The Lord’s Prayer

Concluding Prayer and Blessing

- Singing of liturgical songs is encouraged during the vigil (e.g., Amazing Grace, the Responsorial Psalm, etc.)
- After the Vigil, the family may want to offer a Eulogy and/or Recite the Rosary.

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