Prayers for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing

Bishop Kevin Farrell asks all people to pray for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.  “It is a time for all of us to join together and pray for those who were killed, the injured and their family and loved ones.  This heinous and cowardly act has impacted all of us and has hopefully called us to come together as a prayerful nation.”

Prayers for the victims who lost their lives in Boston

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Traditional Catholic Prayer

Lord our God,
you are always faithful and quick to show mercy.
Our brothers and sisters in Boston
were suddenly and violently taken from us.
Come swiftly to their aid,
have mercy on them,
and comfort their family and friends
by the power and protection of the cross.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

From Order of Christian Funerals, courtesy of USCCB.org

Prayers for those who mourn

Lord god,
you are attentive to the voice of our pleading.
Let us find in your Son
comfort in our sadness,
certainty in our doubt,
and courage to live through this hour.
Make our faith strong
through Christ out Lord,
Amen.

From Order of Christian Funerals, courtesy of USCCB.org

The LORD is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures he makes me lie down;
to still waters he leads me;
he restores my soul.
He guides me along right paths
for the sake of his name.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff comfort me.

From Psalms 23

Prayer of Peace, by St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow charity;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is error, the truth;
Where there is doubt, the faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light; and
Where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying to ourselves that we are born to eternal life. Amen.