Book of Common Prayer · Burial of the Dead (1662) · All versions
Ælfric, Letter to the Monks of Eynsham: the death of a brother (written c. 1005, abridging the Regularis Concordia (c. 973))
English translation by AnglicanGuide from the Latin. Read the Latin edition. Words in [brackets] are supplied or summarise omitted matter.
An English monastic customary: the visitation and anointing of a sick brother, the commendation at his death, the washing, the night watch, the Mass and burial, the thirty days of prayer afterwards, the letter sent to other houses and a prayer for a departed brother.
Source: M. Bateson (ed.), "Ælfric's Abridgement of St Æthelwold's Concordia", in G. W. Kitchin (ed.), Compotus Rolls of the Obedientiaries of St Swithun's Priory (1892), pp. 192–194 (Internet Archive). Public domain (translation © AnglicanGuide).
The Death of a Brother
When a Brother Falls Sick
When any brother falls sick, if he perceives that his weakness has increased, let this be made known to the abbot. Let the morning Mass be said for him, and let the ministers of that Mass, vested in albs, go with the Eucharist, candles and the censer, with the whole community, to visit the sick man, singing the penitential psalms, followed by the litany and prayers, and the anointing with oil on the first day only; and then let him be given communion. If the sickness grows lighter, let this be left off; if not, let the visitation be continued until his departing.
At the Departure
While he is at the point of death, let the board be struck, and let all come together to watch over his departing, and begin the commendation of the soul, "Subvenite, sancti Dei" (Come to his help, ye saints of God), according to the prayer of commendation.
The Washing and the Bringing into Church
When the man has been taken from us, let the body be washed by those who are bidden. When it is washed, let it be clothed in clean garments, that is, shirt, cowl, stockings and shoes, whatever his order; save that, if he was a priest, a stole is put round him over the cowl, if reason so require. Then let him be carried into the church, all singing psalms and all the bells being rung.
The Vigil, the Mass and the Burial
If he cannot be buried the same day before the brothers' meal, let the brothers give themselves to psalmody, watching through the night about the body, until, when morning is come, they celebrate Mass for his soul, all making the offering; and so let the body be committed to the earth.
Returning from the burial, let the brothers begin the seven psalms, and finish them lying prostrate in choir, with the Lord's Prayer and a collect.
The Thirty Days After
Then for seven days together, after every hour is finished, let them sing one of the aforesaid psalms prostrate, followed by a prayer; and let the vigil be kept in full for him, and the morning Mass, all making the offering. From then until the thirtieth day let the vigil be kept for him with three lessons, and the morning Mass, one choir making the offering. Let each of the priests devoutly celebrate thirty Masses for the soul of the departed brother, and let the other brothers help it with psalms as far as they are able. On the thirtieth day let them keep the vigil in full, and the first Mass, all making the offering for him, and let his name be written among the anniversaries.
The Letter to Neighbouring Monasteries
Let a letter also be sent to every neighbouring monastery to announce the day of his burial, to this effect: "The lord N., abbot of such a monastery, to all the faithful of holy Church, both prelates and subjects. Since the irrevocable lot of the hour awaits all, we desire it to be known to you concerning a certain brother of ours, N., whom the Lord has deigned to call from the prison-house of this world on such a day; for whom we earnestly beseech you to be diligent intercessors with the Lord, that he may feel the help of the intercession of those to whom he was united in the communion of the order."
If a brother of another known monastery is announced dead, let the board be struck, and, with the bell ringing, let the fifteen gradual psalms be sung for his soul; and on the first, seventh and thirtieth days let the office be kept in full for him, and on the others briefly. But if a brother of an unknown monastery is announced dead, let the commendation of the soul be said and one day only be kept for him.
A Prayer for a Departed Brother
May the prayer of blessed Mary, Mother of God and ever virgin, and of Saint Benedict thy confessor, and of all thy saints, and the devout supplication of this thy household here present, make satisfaction to thee, O Lord our God, for the soul of our brother N.; that he may obtain the pardon of all his sins for which we pray; and suffer him not to be tormented in the flames of hell, whom thou hast redeemed with the glorious blood of thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ. Who with thee [liveth and reigneth].