Prayer Resources for Catholic Schools
for use on the Occasion of the Death
of Pope John Paul II.
Karol Joseph Wojtyla (Pope John Paul II)
May 18th 1920
This Resource has been prepared by the Religious Education Support Team, Brisbane Catholic
Education Centre.
Suggested Prayer Formats
1. Homeroom/Classroom Prayer
Short Opening Prayer (See suggestions)
Prayers of Petition (See suggestions)
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Prayer (From funeral liturgy included here)
2. Assembly/Whole School Prayer
Introductory Eulogy/Stories (See attached notes)
Opening Prayer (See attached suggestions)
Scripture Reading (See attached suggestions)
Prayers of Petition (See attached)
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Prayer (See attached)
3. School Memorial Eucharist
Teachers are referred to the Rite of Funerals and prayers for a Mass for the Dead in the
Sacramentary, or in the Liturgical Resource LabOra.
The prayers supplied with this resource could be used in a Mass for the Dead.
A Mass of Celebration of the Life of John Paul II has been prepared by the Brisbane Liturgical
Commission for use in the Archdiocese and could be obtained and adapted for use in schools.
Symbols for Prayer Tables/Scared Spaces
Picture of Pope John Paul (See examples supplied)
Candle - white/gold
Crucifix
Flower/s
Helpful Text:
The text Life is Changed, Not Ended, which is a workbook for preparing a Catholic funeral, is
an excellent resource for schools and parishes. It contains prayers, readings, and hymns for
funerals. It is edited by Fr Tom Elich and is available from the Brisbane Liturgical Commission,
GPO Box 282, Brisbane, Q 4001. Online: www.litcom.net.au .
Short Prayers
1. Primary
Loving God, we thank you for the life of Pope John Paul II. He showed us how to be
truthful and loving, as Jesus was. We ask that you will now take him to your home in
heaven, to live with you forever. We ask this through Jesus our friend. Amen.
Loving God, you give life to everything that exists. We thank you for the life of service of
Pope John Paul II. Now that his life on earth has ended, we ask that you to take him to live
with you forever, where there is no more suffering and no more pain.
We make our prayer through Jesus, your son and our brother.
Amen.
Creator God, it is part of your great plan that we pass through death to live with you
forever. We remember today Pope John Paul II, who served your church faithfully and
courageously, even when sick and in pain. Now that his life on earth has ended, we ask
that you will receive him into your home in heaven, to live with you forever. We make our
prayer in the name of Jesus, our brother. Amen.
2. Secondary/Adult
Loving God, source of all life and goodness, we thank you for the gift of Pope John Paul II
to the Church. Through him you have continued to call all humanity to peace, justice and
compassion. Now that his life of service is ended, we pray that he will receive the reward
promised to all who serve your dream for the world without counting the cost. We make
our prayer in the name of Jesus, who lives with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and
forever.
Amen.
Creator God, you call us all to lives of goodness, justice and compassion. We thank
you for Pope John Paul’s faithful and courageous service of your church and humanity.
We ask that we too will live with integrity, faithful in the face of threat and hope-filled in
times of adversity and suffering. May we also share the reward promised to John Paul
II and to all who are good and faithful disciples of Jesus. We make this prayer, now and
always, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Readings
Isaiah 25:6-9:
“He will destroy death forever”.
Apocalypse 14:13:
“Their good deeds go before them.”
Apocalypse 21:1-7
“ I am the alpha and the omega..”
Romans 6: 3-9
“We believe that having died with
Christ, we shall return to life with him”.
Romans 8:31-35, 37-39
“Nothing can come between us and the
love of God”.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
“We want you to be quite certain about
those who have died..”
John 6:37-40
“Whoever believe in him will have eternal
life.”
John 14: 1-6
“Where I am, you may be too”.
Prayers of Petition
Primary:
Let us thank God for all the great things Pope John Paul II has done as head of the
Church on earth.
May he live now with God forever…..(Pause) Lord hear us.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
We remember Pope John Paul as a loving and kind man. May we too treat each other with
gentleness and kindness. Lord hear us.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
We remember Pope John Paul II as a brave man, who was not afraid to speak up when he
saw injustice. May we too have the courage to speak out when we see injustice. Lord hear
us.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
We remember Pope John Paul as a holy, prayerful man. May we also learn to pray as he
did. Lord hear us.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
We remember the many journeys Pope John Paul made in the name of peace and justice.
Let us pray that we too will bring the gift of peace wherever we go. Lord hear us.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
Let us pray for the leaders of the Church who will now choose a new Pope. We pray that
the Holy Spirit will guide them when they make their decisions. Lord hear us.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
We remember all people who are suffering and who are facing death. May they be inspired
by the way Pope John Paul II courageously faced his illness and death. Lord hear us.
Response: Lord hear our prayer.
Secondary/Adult
We remember with gratitude the life of Pope John Paul II and pray that God will reward
him for his faithful and loyal service to the Church. Hear us, Our Loving God: (pause)
Response: Listen to our prayers.
We remember the courage and determination of Pope John Paul II in the face of threats
and danger. Let us pray that we too will have the courage to stand up for our Christian
beliefs, when challenged. Hear us, Our Loving God: (pause)
Response: Listen to our prayers.
We remember Pope John Paul II as a person of great faith and pray for the strength to live
our own lives as faithful followers of Jesus. Hear us, Our Loving God: (pause)
Response: Listen to our prayers.
We remember Pope John Paul for his loyalty to and love for the teachings and traditions of
the Church. Let us pray that we too will treasure the wisdom and teaching of the church.
Hear us, Our Loving God: (pause)
Response: Listen to our prayers.
We remember Pope John Paul as a person of prayer and devotion. Let us pray that we will
regularly nurture our faith with prayer and reflection. Hear us, Our Loving God: (pause)
Response: Listen to our prayers.
We remember Pope John Paul as a Pilgrim of Peace. That the world will take to heart his
calls for justice, peace and dignity for all. Hear us, Our Loving God: (pause)
Response: Listen to our prayers.
We pray for the Catholic community all over the world: that the death of Pope John Paul II
will draw Catholics together in mind and heart as they consider who will succeed him. Hear
us, Our Loving God: (pause)
Response: Listen to our prayers.
We pray for the Conclave of Cardinals, who will vote to replace Pope John Paul II. That
they will open their hearts and minds to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in choosing a new
Pope for our times. Hear us, Our Loving God: (pause)
Response: Listen to our prayers.
We remember Pope John Paul II for his faith in young people as hope for the future. Let us
pray that we will strive to bring his vision for young people to a reality. Hear us, Our Loving
God: (pause) Response: Listen to our prayers.
We pray for all people whose lives are marked with suffering and illness. May they find
inspiration and courage from the way Pope John Paul II bore his suffering and pain. Hear
us, Our Loving God: (pause)
Response: Listen to our prayers.
We pray for all who are dying, especially those who have endured long illness and pain.
May the courage and dignity with which Pope John Paul II faced illness and death, give
them courage and hope. Hear us, Our Loving God: (pause)
Response: Listen to our prayers.
Closing Prayers
Primary
(Adapted from the Catholic Funeral Rite)
All-powerful and merciful God, we pray for Pope John Paul II, your servant. We ask that
in your mercy and love, you will welcome him into heaven and let him live with you forever.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
Response: And let your light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.
Response: Amen.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Response: Amen.
------------------------------------------------Secondary/Adult
(Taken from the Catholic Funeral Rite)
Saints of God, come to his aid!
Come to meet him, angels of the Lord!
Response: Receive his soul and present him to God the Most High.
May Christ, who called him, take John Paul to himself;
may angels lead him to Abraham's side.
Response: Receive . . .
Give him eternal rest, O Lord,
and may your light shine on him forever.
Response: Receive . . .
Let us pray.
All-powerful and merciful God,
we commend to you, John Paul II, your servant.
In your mercy and love, blot out all the sins he has committed through human weakness.
In this world he has died: let him live with you forever.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
AMEN.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
Response: And let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Response: Amen.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Response: Amen.
Hymns
Like a Shepherd
(Gather Australia 467)
On Eagles Wings
(Gather 452)
Be Not Afraid
(Gather 449)
Amazing Grace
(Gather 437)
The Lord is My Shepherd (Various)
See also Children’s Religious Music Index (Catholic Education Archdiocese of
Brisbane)