The bishops of England and Wales have issued prayers for the repose of the late Queen, and for King Charles.
The Catholic bishops’ conference announced on Thursday evening that prayers would be circulated to all parishes, for the Queen’s soul, for the consolation of the Royal Family, and for the King. They include Psalm 121, known as “A Song of Ascents”, and the Canticle of Simeon from Luke’s Gospel, commonly called the Nunc Dimittis.
The prayer “For the happy repose of HM The Queen” asks that God “grant that your servant, Elizabeth our Queen, whom you granted a long and happy reign as monarch of these lands may be forgiven her sins and rewarded with that eternal life promised to all those born again in the water of baptism a power of your spirit”.
The prayer for the Royal Family asks that God “pour on them the consolation of your healing spirit”.
It continues: “Let them find in your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, comfort in their sadness, certainty in their doubt, and courage to live through this hour.”
For the King, the prayers ask “wisdom in the exercise of his high office, so that, always revering to you and striving to please you, he may constantly secure and preserve for the people entrusted to his care the freedom that comes from unity and peace”.
The Archbishop of Cardiff and Bishop of Menevia, Mark O’Toole, issued a statement from Rome, where he had been addressing priests and catechists in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall. He asked all Catholics to pray for the Queen, “that she may hear those words from her King and Lord, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant – enter into the rest of your Master’”.
He recalled “Queen Elizabeth’s exceptional Christian witness and the way she so often spoke of her relationship with Jesus Christ”.
“We entrust her soul to the mercies and blessings of the Lord.”
The Archbishop of Liverpool, Malcolm McMahon, also issued a statement, giving thanks “for that lifetime of service to our country and for her leadership of the Church of England during her 70-year reign”, which she had vowed to give in her 1947 address to the Commonwealth on her twenty-first birthday.
“She will be remembered for her dedication, strength, warmth and pride in our country,” he said.
Westminster Cathedral announced that the Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, would celebrate Friday’s 5:30pm Mass as a requiem for the late Queen.
The Nunc Dimittis, sung by Simeon when he saw the infant Christ presented at the Temple, addresses God: “You give leave to your servant to go in peace, according to your promise.” (Luke 2:29)
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