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Rites for the Veneration of the Dead(Xavier School)

Note: The following rites are suggested for student and alumni representatives of Xavier Schoolwho may wish to incorporate the Chinese tradition into their veneration of the dead at wakes.Ideally, it is done by two representatives (one to explain, the other to perform the rites). More

can participate, and revisions may be made as needed and as desired. This is posted here toserve as a sample.The rites have four short parts:

1. Promise of Prayers2. Offering of Incense3. Offering of Flowers and Fruits (optional)4. Prayers and Ritual Bows

PROMISE OF PRAYERSIn the name of Xavier School, our classmates, teachers, and the Jesuit fathers, we are here to

extend our condolences and to pay our respects to (name of the deceased), (relationship).

The Xavier Mass Card, preferably out of the envelope, is handed to a member of the family.We offer our prayers for the repose of his/her soul. May the Lord Jesus open His arms towelcome him/her into His embrace.

(If the deceased is a Xaverian) Now united to Him,Who is the Light of theWorld, more thanever (name of deceased Xaverian) can let his light shine.

OFFERING OF INCENSETwo incense sticks per representative are lighted. If too many, one per person.We invite you to join us in silent and prayerful attention as we offer incense to honor thememory of _____.The school representatives take their places before the portrait of the deceased and offer asilent prayer with their incense sticks, bowing only once.Let the rising trails of fragrant smoke from the incense sticks represent our prayers and our loveand affection for him/her.The incense sticks are collected and placed in the burner.

OFFERING OF FLOWERS and FRUITSThese offerings are optional and are possible only when an altar for the deceased has been setup at the wake. The small baskets of flowers and fruits must be brought to the wake by thegroup.(Name of person), the (official designation if any, or relationship to the deceased or to thebereaved), will now offer flowers. (E.g., Carlos Go, the friend of the son, Jimmy)The offerer takes the flowers from the altar, who makes one bow while holding the flowers.

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These are then returned to the altar. The same movement is followed for the fruits and thewine.(Name of person), the (official designation if any, or relationship to the deceased or to thebereaved), will now offer fruits.

PRAYERS AND RITUAL BOWSThrough our Lord Jesus Christ, our brother/sister (name of the deceased) now joins thecommunion of saints and all the departed who pray for us as we pray for them. Let us now askour heavenly Father to bless them in Paradise. Let us pray Our Father in heaven.Death may feel like a separation, but in truth, as long as we have love in our hearts, we remainunited to those who have passed on to the next life and who are now united totally to God. Letus ask for the intercession of our Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary, that our love for ourbrother/sister (name of the deceased) may remain strong so that we will continue to be unitedwith him/her. Hail Mary full of graceFinally, let us pray one Glory Be for all our dearly departed, that they may join the saints in theheavenly kingdom, and forever sing the praises of the Holy Trinity. Glory be to the FatherIn the tradition of our ancestors, we now offer three profound bows as a sign of respect andgratitude for (name of deceased). At the sound of the gong, please make a deep and reverentialbow.(To cue the bowing, a gong may be sounded three times, with a brief pause in between. Afterthe third bow, the representatives return to their places.)The rite is completed. Let us continue to pray for the repose of the soul of (name of thedeceased) and the consolation of his/her family.