The term 'requiem' derives from the introit sentence sung by the choir, "Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine" which means, "Give them eternal rest, O Lord".  We offer this Eucharist for our departed brothers and sisters in paradise, as they prepares to join the saints in heaven.  The Church has always believed and taught that there is a time after death when we are prepared for the Joy of Happiness of the heavenly kingdom by being cleansed of all our earthly faults and failings.  This is a process in which all of us, who as Christians are members of the body of Christ, are called upon to share by our prayers that the dead may be delivered from sin.

The purple or black vestments are an expression of our sadness and sorrow at their passing from us, but the real focus of our celebration must be the great Easter Candle, symbolising Christ's triumphant resurrection

Death is not the end.
The theme of this eucharist is summed up by St Paul thus:
Just as Jesus died and rose again, so will the Father bring with him those who have died in Jesus.  Just as in Adam all men die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
1Thess 4:14; Cor 15;22

Either before or after the mass, you may wish to light a candle in memory of a loved one, for a lighted candle is a Christian symbol of our love and prayer for others.

A Choral Mass
In place of the usual 'Parish Mass’ where choir and congregation together sing the mass, the choir sing a setting by the 19th century composer Gabriel Fauré.  This encourages us to participate in a more reflective form of worship, although the Latin text is provided with an English translation.

 Fauré's Requiem
The Requiem by Fauré has few similarities to most other settings of the Mass.  Gone are the terrors of Divine Retribution at the day of judgement , no more is there a rule through fear.  In their place is peace, confirmed by faith, a quiet confidence in eternal rest and perpetual light.  Fauré foreshadows a newer theology of a merciful and compassionate and forgiving Redeemer and he shapes his music with gentler lines and timbres.  He sought to write a work of a more intimate and personal character.

 

It seems possible that the mainspring of the work was the death of his parents in 1885 and 1887 since the work was completed in1888 and first heard at the church of the Madeleine in Paris where he was organist.  The text does not wholly conform to the ancient liturgical words, indeed the In Paradisum actually comes from the Burial Service, so he selected only those which spoke of reassurance, rest and peace.