PRO DEFVNCTIS

SVBVENITE SANCTI DEI

Come to His Assistance

The Subvenite Sancti Dei is a responsory from the Rituale Romanum sung at the moment of death. It calls upon the saints and angels to 'come to his assistance' and 'offer' the departing soul 'in the sight of the Most High.' The versicle 'in sinum Abrahae' employs the traditional image of blessed repose.

LATINE
Subvenite, Sancti Dei, occurrite, Angeli Domini,
Suscipientes animam eius,
Offerentes eam in conspectu Altissimi.
V. Suscipiat te Christus, qui vocavit te,
R. et in sinum Abrahae Angeli deducant te.
Suscipientes animam eius,
Offerentes eam in conspectu Altissimi.
V. Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine,
R. et lux perpetua luceat ei.
Offerentes eam in conspectu Altissimi.
ENGLISH
Come to his assistance, ye Saints of God; meet him, ye Angels of the Lord:
Receiving his soul,
Offering it in the sight of the Most High.
V. May Christ receive thee, who hath called thee,
R. and may the Angels lead thee into Abraham's bosom.
Receiving his soul,
Offering it in the sight of the Most High.
V. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
R. and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Offering it in the sight of the Most High.
NOTA
FONS
Rituale Romanum
USUS
At the moment of death, commendation of the dying
CONTEXT
This responsory is sung or recited immediately after death occurs, as the soul departs the body.