Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him, O LORD

As you surely know by now, "The Gipper" -- President Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 50th President of the USA (and 40th under the US Constitution) -- passed over a few moments after our request for your prayers at 1:00 P.M. PDT of pneumonia.

Mrs. Nancy Davis Reagan, along with children Ron and Patti Davis, were at the couple's Los Angeles home when President Reagan died. "My family and I would like the world to know that President Ronald Reagan has passed away after 10 years of Alzheimer's disease at 93 years of age. We appreciate everyone's prayers," Nancy Reagan said in a statement.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his widow who supported "Dutch" throughout their 52 years of iconic marriage. She was born as "Anne Frances Robbins" on July 6, 1921 at Roosevelt Avenue (alongside the No. 7 "El" train) here in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC. The late President began his life in a four-room apartment over the general store in Tampico, Illinois.

Tentatively, the President's body will be taken to his Presidential Library and museum in Simi Valley, Calif., and then flown to Washington to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda. His funeral will be next week at the National Cathedral with return of his body to California for a sunset burial at his library.

* Ronald Reagan was one of my inspirational mentors. Before my ordination, I had the honor of serving as his local campaign chairman in 1980 and 1984. My Conservative Republican candidacy shared both his Election Day tickets (and Pres. Nixon before him) when I was elected for 17 years on the Essex County GOP Committee in NJ since 1972 when I first ran for municipal offices there at age 18.

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De Profundis for the Faithful Departed (Psalm 129)

Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand?
For with Thee there as merciful forgiveness; and by reason of Thy law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word; my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even unto night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there as mercy; and with Him plentiful redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

V. Eternal rest give unto him, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon him.
V. May he rest in peace.
B. Amen.

Prayers for the Faithful Departed

"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted." (St. Matt. V. 5)

O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of hell and from the bottomless pit; deliver them from the lion’s mouth, that hell swallow them not up, that they fall not into darkness, but let the holy standard-bearer Michael bring them into that holy light which Thou didst promise unto Abraham and his seed. Amen.

O Gentlest Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on the soul of thy departed servant, President Ronald Reagan Be not severe in Thy judgment but let some drops of Thy Precious Blood fall upon the devouring flames, and do Thou O merciful Savior send Thy angels to conduct Thy departed servant to a place of refreshment, light and peace. Amen.

Resurrection Prayer

Most merciful Father, we commend our beloved former President into Your hands.
We are filled with the sure hope that our departed President will rise again on the last day with all who have died in Christ.
We thank You for all the good things You have given during our brother's earthly life.
O Father, in Your great mercy, accept our prayer that the Gates of Paradise may be opened for Your servant.
In our turn, may we too be comforted by the words of faith
until we greet Christ in glory and are united with You and our departed.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.