Funeral Information
ST. THERESA OF AVILA FUNERAL MUSIC AND FUNERAL READINGS
ST. THERESA OF AVILA FUNERAL MUSIC CHOICES
Entrance Procession
Alleluia! The Strife is Over
Eternal Rest (chant)
Faith of Our Fathers
Here I Am Lord
I Know that My Redeemer Lives
Lord of All Hopefulness
O God, Our Help in Ages Past
We Are the Light of the World
(another, liturgically appropriate choice of your own and
preferably contained in a standard hymnal, is fine)
Responsorial Psalm
Ps. 23 My shepherd is the Lord, nothing indeed
shall I want
Ps. 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation
Ps. 42 Like a deer that longs for running streams,
so my soul longs for you my God
Ps. 51 Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned
Ps. 91 Be with me Lord when I am in trouble, be
with me Lord, I pray.
Ps. 103 The Lord is kind and merciful
Ps. 116 Our blessing cup is a communion with the
blood of the Lord
Ps. 119 Guide me, Lord, in the way of your
commands
Ps. 131 My soul is longing for your peace, near to
you my God
Preparation Rite
Ave Maria (Schubert)
Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)
Be Still, My Soul
Lord, When You Came to the Seashore
Now We Remain
Pie Jesu (Fauré)
What Wondrous Love is This
Communion
Eat This Bread
One Bread, One Body
Panis Angelicus (Franck)
Ubi Caritas (chant) (Where there is charity and
love, God is there)
Song of Farewell
All I Ask of You
Jesus, Remember Me (Taizé)
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
May the Angels Lead You into Paradise
In Paradisum (chant) (Go forth into paradise)
Recessional
Abide With Me
America the Beautiful
Eternal Father, Strong to Save (Navy Hymn)
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
How Great Thou Art
In Paradisum (chant)
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
We Walk By Faith
If you would like to speak with someone regarding the music for your funeral, please contact Brandon Santini at 617-325-1300 x-126 or you can e-mail him at bsantini86@gmail.com
ST. THERESA OF AVILA FUNERAL READINGS CHOICES
OLD TESTAMENT READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING #1
A reading from the book of Job (19:23-27)
Job answered and said:
Oh, would that my words were written down!
Would that they were inscribed in a record:
That with iron chisel and with lead
they were cut in the rock forever!
But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives,
and that he will at last stand forth upon the dust;
Whom I myself shall see:
my own eyes, not another's shall behold him,
And from my flesh I shall see God;
my inmost being is consumed with longing.
The Word of the Lord.
OLD TESTAMENT READING 2A (LONG FORM)
A reading from the book of Proverbs (31:10-31)
When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.
Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.
She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands.
She rises while it is still night, and distributes food to her household.
She is girt about with strength, and sturdy are her arms.
She enjoys the success of her dealings; at night her lamp is undimmed.
She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.
She fears not the snow for her household, all her charges are doubly clothed.
Her husband is prominent at the city gates as he sits with the elders of the land.
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come.
She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel.
Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her;
“Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all.”
Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;
The woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.
The Word of the Lord.
OLD TESTAMENT READING 2B (SHORT FORM)
A reading from the book of Proverbs (31:10-ff.)
When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.
Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.
She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands.
She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle.
She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.
Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting;
The woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.
The Word of the Lord.
OLD TESTAMENT READING #3
A reading from the Book of Sirach (3:1-ff.)
Children listen to your father, do what I tell you, and so be safe;
For the Lord honors the father in his children,
and holds the rights of a mother over her sons.
Whoever respects his father is atoning for his sins;
he who honors his mother is like someone amassing a fortune.
Whoever respects his father will be happy with children of his own.
He shall be heard on the day when he prays.
Long life comes to him who honors his father,
He who sets his mother at ease is showing obedience to the Lord.
He serves his parents as he does his Lord.
Respect your father in deed as well as word,
so that blessing may come on you from him;
Since a father's blessing makes the houses of his children firm.
The Word of the Lord.
OLD TESTAMENT READING #4A (LONG FORM)
A reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-11)
There is a time for everything under heaven.
There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh.
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
What advantage has the worker from his toil? I have considered the task which God has appointed us to be busied about. He has made every thing appropriate to its time, and has put the timeless into their hearts, without our ever discovering, from beginning to end, the work which God has done.
The Word of the Lord.
OLD TESTAMENT READING FORM #4B (SHORT FORM)
A reading from the Book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-11)
There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every affair under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh.
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
The Word of the Lord.
OLD TESTAMENT READING #5
A reading from the Book of Wisdom (3:1-9)
The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace.
For if before us, indeed, they be punished, now is their hope full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.
The Word of the Lord.
OLD TESTAMENT READING #6
A reading from the Book of Wisdom (4:7-15)
The just ones, though they die early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Rather, understanding is the crown for us, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age.
The one who pleased God was loved; those who lived among sinners were transported, snatched away, lest wickedness pervert their minds or deceit beguile their souls.
Having become perfect in a short while, they reached the fullness of a long career; for their souls were pleasing to the Lord, therefore He sped them out of the midst of wickedness.
But the people saw and did not understand, nor did they take this into
account.
The Word of the Lord.
OLD TESTAMENT READING #7
A reading from the book of Sirach (44:10-15)
Now will I praise those godly people,
our ancestors, each in their own time.
These were godly people whose virtues have not been forgotten; Their wealth remains in their families, their heritage with their descendants; Through God's covenant with them their family endures, their posterity, for their sake.
And for all time their family will endure, their glory will never be blotted out; Their bodies are peacefully laid away, but their name lives on and on.
At gatherings their wisdom is retold, and the assembly proclaims their
praise.
The Word of the Lord.
OLD TESTAMENT READING #8
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah (25:6-9)
On this mountain the Lord of hosts
will provide for all peoples.
On this mountain he will destroy
the veil that veils all peoples,
The web that is woven over all nations;
he will destroy death forever.
The Lord will wipe away
the tears from all faces;
The reproach of his people he will remove
from the whole earth; for the Lord has spoken.
On that day it will be said:
"Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the Lord for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he saved us!"
The Word of the Lord.
OLD TESTAMENT READING #9
A reading from the book of Lamentations (3:17-26)
My soul is deprived of peace, I have forgotten what happiness is. I tell myself my future is lost, all that I hoped for from the Lord. The thought of my homeless poverty is wormwood and gall; Remembering it over and over leaves my soul downcast within me.
But I will call this to mind, as my reason to have hope: The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent; They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness.
My portion is the Lord, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Good is the Lord to one who waits for him, to the soul that seeks him; It is good to hope in silence for the saving help of the Lord.
The Word of the Lord.
OLD TESTAMENT READING #10
A reading from the book of Sirach (6:5-17)
When one finds a faithful friend,
His value is far beyond gold.
He is clothed with strength and dignity,
and he laughs at the days to come.
A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter;
He who finds one finds a treasure.
A faithful friend is beyond price,
No sum can balance his worth.
Let your acquaintances be many,
But one in a thousand your faithful friend.
For he who loves his friends behaves accordingly, and his friends will be like himself.
The Word of the Lord
NEW TESTAMENT READINGS
NEW TESTAMENT READING #1
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (10:34 –ff.)
Peter proceeded to address the people in these words:
“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him. You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.”
The Word of the Lord.
NEW TESTAMENT READING #2
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans (5:5-11)
Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die.
But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
The Word of the Lord.
NEW TESTAMENT READING #3A (LONG FORM)
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans (6:3-9)
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into the union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
The Word of the Lord.
NEW TESTAMENT READING #3B (SHORT FORM)
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans (6:3-4;8-9)
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
The Word of the Lord.
NEW TESTAMENT READING #4
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans (8:31b-35, 37-39)
If God is for us, who can be against? He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.
What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him, who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Word of the Lord.
NEW TESTAMENT READING #5
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans (14:7-12)
None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me and every tongue shall give praise to God."
The Word of the Lord.
NEW TESTAMENT READING #6
A reading from the first Book of Corinthians (13:1-8)
If I speak with human tongues and angelic as well, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and, with full knowledge, comprehend all mysteries, if I have faith great enough to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give everything I have to feed the poor and hand over my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not jealous, it does not put on airs, it is not self-seeking, it is not prone to anger; neither does it brood over injuries. Love does not rejoice in what is wrong but rejoices with the truth. There is no limit to love's forbearance, to its trust, its hope, its power to endure. Love never fails. There are in the end three things that last: faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love.
The Word of the Lord.
NEW TESTAMENT READING #7
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians (15:20-28)
Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the first-fruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for "he subjected everything under his feet." But when it says that everything has been subjected, it is clear that it excludes the one who subjected everything to him. When everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the One who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.
The Word of the Lord
NEW TESTAMENT READING #8
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians (15:51-57)
Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in an instant, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For that which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality. And when that which is corruptible clothes itself with incorruptibility and that which is mortal clothes itself with immortality, then the word that is written shall come about:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Word of the Lord.
NEW TESTAMENT READING #9
A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians (5:6-10)
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.
NEW TESTAMENT READING #10
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians (3:20-21)
Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body by the power that enables him also to bring all things into subjection to himself.
The Word of the Lord.
NEW TESTAMENT READING #11
A reading from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians (4:13-18)
We do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, console one another with these words.
The Word of the Lord.
NEW TESTAMENT READING #12
A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy (2:8-13)
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory. This saying is trustworthy:
If we have died with him, we shall also live with him; if we persevere, we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
The Word of the Lord.
NEW TESTAMENT READING #13
A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy (2:6-8)
I am already being poured out like a libation. The time of my dissolution is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on a merited crown awaits me; on that Day the Lord, just judge that he is, will award it to me-and not only to me but to all who have looked for his appearing with eager longing.
The Word of the Lord.
NEW TESTAMENT READING #14
A reading from the first letter of John (3:1-2)
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet, so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know God. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like God, for we shall see God as he is.
The Word of the Lord.
NEW TESTAMENT READING #15
A reading from the book of Revelation (14:13)
I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this down: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," said the Spirit, "let them find rest from their labors, for their good works accompany them"
The Word of the Lord.
NEW TESTAMENT READING #16
A reading from the book of Revelation (21:1-7)
I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.”
The one who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of life-giving water. The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my child.
The Word of the Lord.