THE LAST AGONY.

When the soul is about to depart from the body, then, more fervently than ever, should those present pray for the dying brother. The Holy Name of Jesus should constantly be invoked. If the departing brother be able to speak, such words as the following should be again and again repeated in his ear:

INTO Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. O Lord Jesus, receive my soul. Holy Mary, pray for me. O Mary Mother of grace, Mother of mercy, do thou protect me from the enemy, and receive me at the hour of death.

["To the faithful in danger of death who cannot be assisted by a priest ... Holy Mother Church nevertheless grants a plenary indulgence to be acquired at the point of death, provided they are properly disposed and have been in the habit of reciting some prayers during their lifetime. To use a crucifix or cross in connection with the acquisition of this plenary indulgence is a laudable practice.

This plenary indulgence at the point of death can be acquired by the faithful even if they have already obtained an indulgence on the same day. " From the Enchiridion of Indulgences 1968 ]

 

Come to his assistance, ye saints of God, come forth to meet him, ye angels of the Lord, receiving his soul and offering it in the sight of the Most High.

V. May Christ receive thee, who hath called thee, and may the angels bear thee into Abraham's bosom.

R. Receiving his soul.

V. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

R. Offering it in the sight of the Most High.

V. Lord have mercy on us.

R. Christ have mercy on us,

V. Lord have mercy on us,

Our Father (secretly).

V. And lead us not into temptation.

R. But deliver us from evil.

V. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine upon him.

V. From the gates of hell.

R. Deliver his soul, O Lord,

V. May he lest in peace.

R. Amen.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.

R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

V. The Lord be with you and with thy spirit.

To Thee, O Lord, do we commend the soul of Thy servant, N., that being dead to the world he may live unto Thee; and whatsoever sins he has committed through the frailty of his mortal nature, do Thou, in Thy most merciful goodness, forgive and wash away.

R. Amen.

Grant, O Lord, that, while we here lament the departure of Thy servant, we may ever remember that we are most certainly to follow him. Give us grace to prepare for that last hour, by a good life, that we may not be surprised by a sudden death, but be ever watching when Thou shalt call, that so with the Spouse we may enter into eternal glory:

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

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