The Requiem

When the Eucharist is celebrated on behalf of the souls of the Faithful Departed, we call it a Requiem, that being the Latin for rest, because it begins with the prayer,”Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them”.  The Requiem Eucharist, or Requiem Mass as it is usually known, is the greatest and most effective act of prayer for the departed which can be made.  For then we offer to God on their behalf their own Saviour, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

In 347 AD St Cyril of Jerusalem, describing the order of the Eucharist, wrote, “…we commemorate … all who in past years have fallen asleep among us, believing that it will be a very great benefit to the souls, for whom the supplication is put up, while that holy … sacrifice is set forth”.  St Cyril also wrote,“…we, when we offer to Him our supplications for those who have fallen asleep…offer up Christ sacrificed for our sins, propitiating our merciful God for them as well as for ourselves”. (3)

Differences

A Requiem Mass has certain differences of its own.  The colour of the vestments is black, or purple in some churches.  At a Sung Requiem the altar is not incensed to begin with, and neither incense nor lighted candles are used at the Gospel.  There is a special form of the Agnes Dei so that, instead of being a prayer to Our Lord for ourselves, it is a prayer for the departed.  “O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant them rest” is said or sung twice.  The third time it is, “O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant them rest eternal”.  There is no blessing at the end.  Instead, the priest says or sings, “May they rest in peace”, and we make the sign of the Cross then because it is through our Crucified Saviour that the souls of the Faithful Departed are given rest and peace.

Year's Mind

The particular day on which each of the Faithful Departed has died is known as their Year’s Mind.  Many churches include prayers during the Sunday or weekday Eucharists for people whose Year’s Mind falls at that time and we should ensure our relations and friends are included.  A Requiem may be offered on the day of a person’s funeral.  In the year 998 AD November 2nd was first observed as All Souls’ Day when Requiems were offered for all the souls of the Faithful Departed, and this has been continued ever since.  We should make a point of seeing that our own relations and friends are remembered at a Requiem on All Souls’ Day.