Merciful Father,

Lord of life and death,

our fate is in your hands.

Look with kindness

upon the affliction of those

who mourn the death of loved ones:

sons, fathers, brothers, relatives, friends.

May they feel the presence of Christ

who comforted the widow of Naim

and the sisters of Lazarus,

for He is the resurrection and the life.

Help us to learn

from the mystery of sorrow

that we are pilgrims on earth.

(John Paul II)