Prayer of St. Augustine

Late have I loved you,
O Beauty ever ancient ever new,
Late have I loved you!

You were within me
And I was in the world outside myself.
I searched for you outside myself and,
disfigured as I was,
I fell upon the lovely things of your creation.
You werw ith me but I was not with you.
The beautiful things of this world
kept me far from you and yet,
if they had not been in you,
they would have had no being at all.

You called to me;
You cried out to me;
and have shattered the barrier of my deafness.
You shone upon me;
your radience enveloped me;
and you put my blindness to flight!
You shed your fragrance about me;
I drew breath
and now I gasp for your sweet odour.
I tasted you,
and now I hunger and thirst for you.
You touched me,
and I am inflamed with love of your peace

Prayer for Loved Ones, now departed.

Lord,
This day I remember
My loved ones
Who have departed this life.
Give them your Love.

Lord,
Those of my family
Who no longer sit at my table,
Give them a place in your Home.

Lord,
Those of my friends
Who no longer share life with me
Give them the joy of your Presence

Lord,
Those who once worked with me
Who no longer share labour with me
Give them rest in your House.

Lord,
Those who crossed my path in life
Those I can no longer remember
Gather them to your Kingdom.

Lord,
Look mercifully on me
Help me to be worthy
To join You and all who have gone before me
In the Heavenly mansions
you have prepared for us.

Amen.