PRO DEFVNCTIS

IN PARADÍSVM

Into Paradise

In Paradisum is the antiphon sung as the body is carried from church to burial. Dating from the early medieval Rituale Romanum, it commends the soul to the angels and martyrs who will escort it to 'the holy city of Jerusalem.' The reference to Lazarus recalls the parable of Dives and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).

LATINE
In paradisum deducant te Angeli;
in tuo adventu suscipiant te Martyres,
et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem.
Chorus Angelorum te suscipiat,
et cum Lazaro quondam paupere
aeternam habeas requiem.
ENGLISH
May the angels lead thee into paradise;
may the martyrs receive thee at thy coming,
and lead thee into the holy city of Jerusalem.
May the choir of angels receive thee,
and with Lazarus, who once was poor,
mayest thou have eternal rest.
NOTA
FONS
Rituale Romanum
USUS
Recessional at funerals, burial rites
CONTEXT
The reference to Lazarus recalls the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), where Lazarus is carried by angels to Abraham's bosom.