In Paradisum

At the eve of Remembrance Day and a few days after All Souls, I feel the need to repeat the centuries old prayer which in the Roman Catholic Church accompanies the deceased when they leave the church building for the very last time.

I list two versions : the age old Gregorian one, followed by the angelical one by Gabriel Fauré.





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 æternam habeas requiem.

May angels lead you into Paradise; may the martyrs receive you at your coming and lead you to the holy city of Jerusalem. May a choir of angels receive you, and with Lazarus, who once was poor, may you have eternal rest.

Amen.