Commemoration of British Soldiers
who died during the 1916 Rising

Grangegorman Cemetery

26 May 2016

Rev Seamus Madigan HCF & Rev Andrew J Totten MBE QHC

Rev Seamus Madigan HCF

In ainm an Athar agus an Mhic agus an Spioraid Naoimh. Amen.

From the Gospel according to Mark             (4:35-40)

With the coming of evening that same day, he said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side’. And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on a cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, Master, do you not care? We are going down!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ And the wind dropped, and all was calm again.

God of Mercy and Compassion,

Grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know the difference. May our experience of your mercy continue to change our hearts and value lasting peace and reconciliation. We ask for your solace on all saddened by the tragedy of violence and death. We pray for a healing of memory; and a peace which the world cannot give, a peace that is rooted in love, rooted in you. Lord help heal that which is torn and sad within us.

As we gather here today to commemorate members of the British Forces who lost their lives during the Easter Rising of 1916, we ask you Lord to stir in us a generosity of memory. Here in this cemetery lay the remains of young men, young soldiers, who found themselves in a moment of history. We remember them today with the generosity of spirit of the executed leaders of 1916 who spoke of their respect for all who did their duty. Our remembrance need have no boundaries, we are not alone, and our God, who knows our questions, is truly patient with all that is unsolved in our hearts. Help us Lord to live in peace and live the questions. In a spirit of compassion, inclusion and engagement we remember all those who died; 

Solas na bhFlaitheas dár n-anamacha
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha

Moladh go deo le Dia – Praise God forever!

Rev Andrew J Totten MBE QHC

“This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end,
they are new every morning.” Lamentations 3:21-23

Merciful and forgiving God:
You showed your reconciling love in the death and resurrection
of our saviour Jesus Christ.
Teach us, who daily need your forgiveness, to forgive one another.
Heal our divisions, cast out our fears,
and renew our faith in the possibility of peace and goodwill on earth.

Powerful and eternal God:
Bless our home nations and the peoples of these islands.
Bless those in authority with the wisdom to sustain peacefulness.
Bless all members of the Irish and British Forces –
defend them in danger
and grant them courage to meet difficulty with discipline,
that they may serve the cause of justice,
to the honour of your name.

Gentle and loving God:
Bless our friends and those who were our enemies.
Comfort all who mourn the death of loved ones,
and all who miss the comradeship of friends.
Help us to comfort and encourage them,
that they may experience your sustaining love.

And now, rejoicing in the communion of saints,
we remember those whom you have gathered from the
storms of war and conflict into the peace of your presence.
May the example of their devotion inspire us,
that we may be taught to live by those who learned to die.
And at the last, grant that we, being faithful unto death,
may receive with them the crown of life that never fades.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rev Seamus Madigan HCF & Rev Andrew J Totten MBE QHC

Peace Blessing

May the God of peace be with us,
taking away our fears and doubts,
and may the comfort of God’s peace
cover those of us who are troubled or anxious.
May the blessing of peace be upon us. Amen.
In the name of God, who pushes back the horizons of our hopes 
and invites the brave to follow. Amen