LITURGY TO CELEBRATE BIRTH TO

ETERNAL LIFE

SOFRONIA BANGGOS DAGATAN

(December 3, 1959 – August 10, 2021)
 August 20, 2021 @ 8:00 AM
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, Cotabato City
Presider: Rev. Fr. Jomar Roselo, DCC
FUNERAL LITURGY

Our humble tribute to our dearly beloved Sofronia

INTRODUCTION

Commentator: Dear brothers and sisters, we gather today to bring our dearly
beloved Sofronia to her final rest. Sofronia’s life has been
that of faithfulness to God. Choosing to be Jesus’ disciple in
her entire life, she is blessed as the beatitudes in today’s
gospel reveal. May this be a reminder for us who continue the
journey.

As family, friends and colleagues of Sofronia, we entrust her

to God the most high, who loves her and who cares for her
more than we do.

These Christian symbols are reminders to all of us that

Sofronia belongs to God in heaven.

PLACING OF THE WHITE CLOTH OVER THE COFFIN

Commentator: WHITE CLOTH. In baptism, symbolized by a white garment,

Sofronia became a new creation and has clothed herself in
Christ. In death, may she be brought unstained to the
judgment seat of our Lord Jesus Christ so that she may have
everlasting life.

PLACING OF THE BIBLE

Commentator: BIBLE. In life, Sofronia cherished the Gospel of Christ and

lived by it. May Christ now greet her with these words of
eternal life: Come, blessed of my Father!

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PLACING OF THE CRUCIFIX

Commentator: CRUCIFIX. In baptism, Sofronia received the sign of the

Cross. May she now share in Christ’s victory over sin and
death.

LIGHTING OF THE PASCHAL CANDLE

Commentator: PASCHAL CANDLE. Sofronia had been enlightened by

Christ and had walked always as a child of the light and had
kept the flame of faith alive in her heart. When the Lord
comes, may she go out to meet Him with all the saints in the
heavenly kingdom.

Together with our Mass presider Rev. Fr. Jomar Roselo,

let us all stand and sing our hymn of praise.

ENTRANCE HYMN: I Am The Bread of Life

1. I am the bread of life.

He who comes to me shall not hunger;
he who believes in me shall not thirst.
No one can come to me
unless the Father draw him.

R. And I will raise him up,

and I will raise him up,
and I will raise him up on the last day.

2. The bread that I will give

is my flesh for the life of the world,
and he who eats of this bread,
he shall live for ever,
he shall live for ever.

Priest: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit.

All: Amen.

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Priest: The grace and peace of God our Father, who raised Jesus
from the dead, be always with you.

All: And with your spirit.

SPRINKLING WITH THE HOLY WATER

Priest: In the waters of baptism, Sofronia died with Christ and rose
with Him to new life. May she now share with Him in eternal
glory.

PENITENTIAL RITE

OPENING PRAYER

Priest: Let us pray. Lord God, Almighty Father, you have made the
cross for us as a sign of strength. You have marked us as
your own in the sacrament of the resurrection. Now that you
have freed our sister Sofronia from this mortal life, make her
one with your saints in heaven. We ask this through Christ
our Lord.

All: Amen.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

FIRST READING:

A reading from the book of Wisdom (3:1-9)

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch
them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing
away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace. For if before men and women, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immorality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly
blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in
the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks
through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD
shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and

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 the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his
holy ones, and his care is with the elect.

The word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM – HOW LOVELY IS YOUR DWELLING PLACE

R. How lovely is your dwelling place,

O Lord mighty God, Lord of all

1. Even the lowly sparrow finds a home for her brood

And the swallow a nest for herself
Where she may lay here young
In your altars my king and my God

2. Blessed are they whose dwelling

Is Your own Lord of peace

Blest are they refreshed by springs and by rain

When dryness daunts and scathes
Behold my shield
My king and my God!

3. I would forsake a thousand

Other days anywhere
If I could spend one day in Your
Courts belong to you alone
My strength are You alone
My glory, my king and my God!

Gospel Acclamation

GOSPEL: Mt. 5: 1-11

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 A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down,
his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are hey who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will he shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of
evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will
be great in heaven.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

All: Praise to you, O Lord, Jesus Christ.

HOMILY

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

Priest: We now turn to the Lord, the God of all consolations and
mercies. As we finally entrust our brother Sofronia to His
care in heaven, let us once again call on Him for our needs.
In every petition, let our response be:

“INTO YOUR HANDS, LORD, WE COMMEND Sofronia.”

Commentator: We pray that God may free our sister Sofronia from the
punishment and darkness and that in His mercy, God may
forgive all her sins. Let us pray to the Lord.

Commentator: We pray that God may give Sofronia a peace and light
forever. May He give her joy in the company of all His saints.
Let us pray to the Lord.

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Commentator: We pray that God may look with compassion upon the
bereaved family of our sister Sofronia especially her children,
their respective families, relatives and friends. In their grief
and sorrow, the Lord who wept over the death of His friend
Lazarus may strengthen them and give them peace and
consolation. Let us pray to the Lord.

Commentator: We pray that those who have been blessed and privileged
with the fidelity and dedication of our beloved Sofronia, may
always draw inspiration from her example. May her loving
memory be a source of inspiration for all of us to work
together so that when our time comes, the Master may find
us as “worthy and dedicated servants” of the Kingdom. Let us
pray to the Lord.

Commentator: We pray for strength for all those who are severely affected
by the death of our sister Sofronia. Putting our trust in the
Lord, may we be strengthened to move forward and continue
the mission the Lord has entrusted to us. Let us pray to the
Lord.

Priest: Lord, God, Creator and Redeemer, release our departed

brothers and sisters from all punishment; in answer to our
prayers, give them the pardon they have always desired. We
ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Offertory: MUNTING ALAY

1. Paghahanda ng alay ay narito, Poon

Ang alak at tinapay dala sa altar Mo
Anyo’y magiging tunay, Dugo Mo’t Katawan
Aming tatanggapin ngayon magbibigay-buhay.

2. Paghahanda ng alay ngayon ay sisim’lan

Ang alak at tinapay ay bibendisyunan
Anyo’y magiging tunay, Dugo Mo’t Katawan
Ito’y aming tatanggapin sa pakikinabang.

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 3. We bring unto your table with humble hearts, o, Lord
The bread and wine, the fruits of the land and of the vine
Transformed beneath the hands of Your chosen priest, behold
We shall receive with open hearts, eternal life bestowed.

4.Gathered now, Your people bringing gifts to Thee

Let us give you worship for Your Sacred Feast
Continuously, we sing You our praise on bended knees
We give You thanks, revere You for Your generosity.

Presentation of the Gifts

Bread and Wine
Fruits
Prayer over the Gifts
Holy
Memorial Acclamation
Great Amen
Our Father
Lamb of God

Communion: PRAYER OF RUPERT MAYER

1. Lord, what You will let it be so

Where You will there we will go
What is Your will help us to know

2. Lord, when You will the time is right

In You there's joy in strife
For Your will I'll give my life

Pre-chorus: To ease Your burden brings no pain

To forego all for You is gain
As long as I in You remain

Chorus: Because You will it, it is best

Because You will it, we are blest
Till in Your hands our hearts find rest
Till in Your hands our hearts find rest

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 3. Lord, when You will the time is right
In You there's joy in strife
For Your will I'll give my life

Prayer after Communion

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Priest: God of holiness and power, accept our prayers on behalf of

your servant Sofronia; do not count her deeds against her
for in her heart she desires to do your will. With her faith, she
remains united to your people on earth, so may your mercy
join her to the angels in heaven. We ask this through Christ
our Lord. Amen.

FINAL COMMENDATION AND FAREWELL

Priest: Before we part, let us take leave of our sister Sofronia. May
this last farewell express the depth of our love for her, ease
our sadness, and strengthen our hope. We know that one
day we shall greet her with joy where the love of Christ, which
overcomes all things, will destroy even death itself.

BRIEF PERIOD OF SILENCE

Priest: Saints of God, come to her aid! Come to meet her, angels of
the Lord!

All: Receive her soul and present her to God the Most High.

Priest: May Christ, who called you take you to Himself; may angels
lead you to Abraham’s side.

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All: Receive her soul and present her to God the Most High.

Priest: Give her eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on her
forever.

All: Receive her soul and present her to God the Most High.

Priest: We commend our sister Sofronia to you, O Lord. Now that

she has passed from this life, may she live on in your
presence. In your mercy and love, forgive whatever sins she
may have committed through human weakness. We ask this
through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

SPRINKLING OF THE HOLY WATER

(The priest and the members of the family now sprinkle the body with
Holy water.)

RECESSIONAL: NEW LIFE

New life. New life

You came to bring us
New life.
New life!  New life!
We find such joy
In your abundant life!

You are the source

 of our great joy
The fountain of all life.
You give us living water; you bid us come and drink.

We come to you;
We bless you lord;
We glorify your name!

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We praise you lord;
 we worship you!
We thank you
For your gift
Of new life!

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