Losing a mother is an odyssey of the heart that reshapes our world in profound ways. Today, we share with you a constellation of prayers from across faith traditions, offering solace. We traverse the Christian faith, with its embrace of God's grace, to the serene acceptance of life's impermanence found in Taoist wisdom. Next, we extend our hands to the comforting words of the Aztecs, the Cherokee's blessings, and the Jewish articulation of communal sorrow. We also witness the Buddhist philosophy on impermanence, Hindu supplications for relief from grief, and the Memorare's invocation of the Virgin Mary's aid, culminating with a prayer from Islam that seeks steadfast guidance and compassion.
Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Google Podcasts, Apple, Amazon Music, Spotify, or follow us on the Facebook pages of Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos, California, or Calvary Cemetery in San Jose, California. SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE
You can reach us at: ccoutreach@dsj.org To arrange personal spiritual direction: 408-359-5542
Our theme music is: Gentle Breeze by Yeti Music from the album "Uppbeat". Additional Music and sound effects today by: via Pixabay
Losing a mother is an odyssey of the heart that reshapes our world in profound ways. Today, we share with you a constellation of prayers from across faith traditions, offering solace. We traverse the Christian faith, with its embrace of God's grace, to the serene acceptance of life's impermanence found in Taoist wisdom. Next, we extend our hands to the comforting words of the Aztecs, the Cherokee's blessings, and the Jewish articulation of communal sorrow. We also witness the Buddhist philosophy on impermanence, Hindu supplications for relief from grief, and the Memorare's invocation of the Virgin Mary's aid, culminating with a prayer from Islam that seeks steadfast guidance and compassion.
Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Google Podcasts, Apple, Amazon Music, Spotify, or follow us on the Facebook pages of Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos, California, or Calvary Cemetery in San Jose, California. SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE
You can reach us at: ccoutreach@dsj.org To arrange personal spiritual direction: 408-359-5542
Our theme music is: Gentle Breeze by Yeti Music from the album "Uppbeat". Additional Music and sound effects today by: via Pixabay
Speaker 2:
Welcome to this week's episode of Solace: Soul + Grief, I'm Candee Lucas. We're glad you're here. This podcast is sponsored by Catholic Cemetery's in the Diocese of San Jose. The death of a loved one is a very difficult life transition and we hope we can answer some of your questions, help you find where God is moving in your life as you continue your grief journey, and remind you of the power of your faith and love for God. You're always welcome in our circle of healing, love and care.
Speaker 2:
Losing your mom is a very personal experience, what follows are a series of prayers for losing a mom, and the people who crafted these were likely going through the very same pain. They are from different traditions and sometimes they speak to specific feelings you may have about your loss. First we have a Christian prayer. Grief can make you feel broken and hopeless, and this prayer acknowledges God's power to help you through it. --Heavenly Father, at this moment, nothing seems to be able to help the loss I feel after my mother's death. My heart is broken and my spirit mourns. All I know is that your grace is sufficient and I may take comfort knowing she is with you.--
Speaker 2:
The next prayer is from Taoism and emphasizes the cycle of life, no matter how intense your pain. This too is a part of nature.--- The flower invites the butterfly with no mind. The butterfly visits the flower with no mind. The flower opens, the butterfly comes. The butterfly comes, the flower opens. I don't know others, others don't know me, but by not knowing, we follow nature's course.
Speaker 2:
The next is from the Aztec tradition. Spending time with someone as precious as your mother is a gift. This Aztec prayer reminds you that life is a gift, no matter how long it lasts. ---Oh, only for so short a while you have loaned us to each other, because we take form in your act of drawing us and we take life in your painting us and we breathe in your singing us. But only for so short a while have you loaned us to each other--. Next is a Cherokee prayer blessing for your mom and those she left behind. It wishes peace and joy on everyone you're praying for. --May the warm winds of heaven blow softly upon your house, may the Great Spirit bless all who enter there, may your moccasins make happy tracks in many snows and may the rainbow always touch your shoulder.-- There is a Jewish blessing that goes-- those who are worn out and crushed by this mourning. Let your hearts consider this. This is a path that has existed from the time of creation and will exist forever. Many have drunk from it and many will yet drink. As was the first meal, so shall be the last.--
Speaker 2:
In Buddhism, death is a major change. Even though it doesn't feel like it, your life will go on, even as you grieve. This prayer hopes that love will continue to fill the silence. --May the sweet light of change shine in the darkness. May the first breath of each morning begin life again. May the memories unfold as prayers for life. May the love continue to fill the silence--.
Speaker 2:
And from Ignatian spirituality, putting yourself completely in the hands of God can be a scary thing. When you're grieving, you can feel particularly vulnerable. This is a good time to rely on these types of prayers. ---More than ever, I find myself in the hands of God. This is what I have wanted all my life, from my youth. But now there is a difference. The initiative is entirely with God. It is indeed a profound spiritual experience to know and feel myself so totally in God's hands.--
Speaker 2:
Next we have a Hindu peace prayer. Praying to be delivered from grief is understandable during such an intense time. This prayer focuses on what matters.-- I desire neither earthly kingdom nor even freedom from birth and death. I desire only the deliverance from grief of all those afflicted by misery. Oh Lord, lead us from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, from death to immortality. May there be peace in all celestial regions--- and the Memorare from Catholicism. This prayer requests that Mary listen to your plea for help. --Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my mother, to thee do I come, before thee I stand.
Speaker 2:
Next is a prayer from Buddhism. No matter how you're feeling, giving thanks for what you have left is important. This prayer reminds you that, no matter how you feel, you're loved without exception. --Oh, blessed one precious treasury of compassion, bestower of supreme inner peace. You who love all things without exception, are the source of happiness and goodness, and you guide us to the liberating path.-- This is a prayer from Islam To the all merciful Master on the Day of Judgment. It serves as a prayer for your loved one. It also is a request for guidance for those left behind. ---In the name of God, the infinitely good, the all merciful, praise be to God, the Lord of the worlds, the infinitely good, the all merciful, master of the Day of Judgment, the we worship and in thee we seek help, guide us upon the straight path.--
Speaker 2:
And finally, a prayer for life from the North American Indigenous peoples. The maternal life-giving figures are crucial in some Native American cultures. This is a prayer that you receive a long life with the loved ones left to you. --You, our old women, gods. We ask you, our old women, gods, we ask you. Then, give us long life together. May we live until our frosted hair is white. May we live till then. This life that now we know.-- Praying for your mother is a beautiful experience. As you deal with grief, remember to pray for yourself. As you cope with the tidal wave of emotions, it's crucial to take time for self-care. I'm Candee Lucas, your host, aftercare coordinator, chaplain and spiritual director at Catholic Cemetery at Gate of Heaven in Los Altos, California. Please contact us If you have questions or seek spiritual direction. Our contact information is in the show notes. Be gentle with yourselves. Travel with God, Vaya con Dios.