Prayer Service in Memory of Pope Saint John Paul II

Preparation
For this prayer service you will need four candles, a presider, and two readers.

The Summons to Prayer

Presider: At the seventeenth World Youth Day, Pope John Paul II said to the young people: "When the light fades or vanishes altogether, we no longer see things as they really are. In the heart of the night we can feel frightened and insecure, and we impatiently await the coming of the light of dawn. Dear young people, it is up to you to be the watchmen of the morning who announce the coming of the sun who is the Risen Christ!"

Opening Prayer

Presider: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Presider: Gracious God, source of all light and joy, we come to you in thanksgiving for the life of Pope John Paul II. Throughout his life, he tirelessly preached the Gospel of your Son, Jesus. May the fire of love that consumed the Holy Father burn also within us so that the world will know the joy of your reign. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Candle Lighting

Presider: In season and out of season, Pope John Paul II preached the Good News. He preached justice. He preached about the need to pray. He preached the Gospel of life, and he preached the new evangelization. After each candle is lit, please respond, "A light has shown in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it." The first candle we light is the flame of justice.

Reader 1: "If we call upon God as ‘Father', we cannot fail to recognize in our neighbour--whoever this may be--a brother or sister who has a right to our love. This is the great commitment for the children of God: working to build a society in which all peoples will live fraternally together."("Message of the Holy Father Pope John Paul II for the VI World Youth Day") [Light the first candle.]

All: A light has shown in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it.

Reader 2: "'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly, I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'" (Matthew 25:37-40)

Presider: The second candle we light is the flame of prayer.

Reader 1: "Dear young people, like the first disciples, follow Jesus! Do not be afraid to draw near to Him, to cross the threshold of his dwelling, to speak with Him, face to face, as you talk with a friend. Do not be afraid of the new life He is offering. He Himself makes it possible for you to receive that life and practise it, with the help of his grace and the gift of his Spirit." ("Message of the Holy Father to the Youth of the World on the Occasion of the XII World Youth Day") [Light the second candle.]

All: A light has shown in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it.

Reader 2: "You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends."(John 15:14-15)

Presider: The third candle is the light of life.

Reader 1: "It is first of all necessary for you young people to give a forceful witness of love for life, God's gift. This love must extend from the beginning to the end of every life and must struggle against every attempt to make man the arbiter of his brother's life, of unborn life, of life that is waning or that of the handicapped and the weak." ("Message of the Holy Father Pope John Paul II for the XI World Youth Day") [Light the third candle.]

All: A light has shown in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it.

Reader 2: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

Presider: The final candle is the light of evangelization.

Reader 1: "The Church entrusts to young people the task of proclaiming to the world the joy which springs from having met Christ. Dear friends, allow yourselves to be drawn to Christ; accept his invitation and follow him. Go and preach the Good News that redeems; do it with happiness in your hearts and become communicators of hope in a world which is often tempted to despair, communicators of faith in a society which at times seems resigned to disbelief, communicators of love in daily events that are often marked by a mentality of the most unbridled selfishness." ("Message of the Holy Father Pope John Paul II for the IX and the X World Youth Day") [Light the final candle.]

All: A light has shown in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it.

Reader 2: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19)

Song
[Choose a song that reflects the theme of light.]

Closing Prayer

Presider: Remembering that we are called to bring the light of Christ to the world, let us respond, "Christ, be our light."

For those who will be electing the next pope. May the Holy Spirit guide them to choose a shepherd who will lay down his life for his sheep. We pray . . .

All: Christ, be our light.

Presider: That our next pope will work to bring justice and peace to those afflicted with hunger, war and oppression. We pray . . .

All: Christ, be our light.

Presider: For those who hunger to hear the Gospel, may they find joy in being called to friendship with Jesus your Son. We pray . . .

All: Christ, be our light.

Presider: For respect for all human life, may each human life be treated with dignity, especially the weakest among us. We pray . . .

All: Christ, be our light.

Presider: In the midst of our busy lives, help us to find the time to seek your friendship. We pray . . .

All: Christ, be our light.

Presider: In your mercy, may the light of your face shine upon your servant Pope John Paul II as he enters into your rest. We pray . . .

All: Christ, be our light.

Presider: As one family, let us pray together:

All: Our Father . . .[Pray the Lord's Prayer.]

Presider: Lord, we firmly believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead. Help us to live and love the Gospel with all our heart and to enjoy your friendship for all time. We ask this through Jesus the Lord.

All: Amen.

Acknowledgements

The scriptural quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition. Copyright &copy 1993 and 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved.

The quotation from "Message of the Holy Father Pope John Paul II for the VI World Youth Day" is taken from www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/messages/youth/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_15081990_vi-world-youth-day_en.htm, accessed October 25, 2003.

The quotation from "Message of the Holy Father to the Youth of the World on the Occasion of the XII World Youth Day" is taken from www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/messages/youth/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_15081996_xii-world-youth-day_en.htm, accessed October 25, 2003.

The quotation from "Message of the Holy Father Pope John Paul II for the XI World Youth Day" is taken from www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/messages/youth/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_26111995_xi-world-youth-day_en.htm, accessed October 25, 2003.

The quotation from "Message of the Holy Father Pope John Paul II for the IX and X World Youth Day" is taken from http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/messages/youth/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_21111993_ix-and-x-world-youth-day_en.html, accessed October 25, 2003.

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