Prayers for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

The National Association of Church Personnel Administrators joins millions of faith-filled people across the world in mourning the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on December 31.

The funeral Mass will be held in Rome on Thursday, January 5. Prayers from that liturgy include:

The Collect (will be prayed in Latin)

Let us pray, Oh God, who in your wondrous providence chose your servant Benedict to preside over your Church, grant, we pray, that having served as the Vicar of your Son on earth, he may be welcomed by him into eternal glory. Who lives in reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.

A Prayer from the Final Commendation and Farewell 

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles and Salus Populi Romani, intercede before the Eternal Father, that he may reveal the face of Jesus his Son to Pope Emeritus Benedict and console the Church on her pilgrimage through history as she awaits the Lords return. Amen.