Subvenite, sancti Dei — Opening Antiphon of the Funeral Rite

The antiphon Subvenite, sancti Dei — «Come to his aid, saints of God» — is one of the most ancient liturgical formulas preserved in the Roman rite. In use since the pontificate of St Gregory the Great († 604), it is prescribed by the Roman Missal and by the Ordo Exsequiarum as the antiphon with which the priest goes out to meet the coffin at the entrance of the church, at the beginning of the liturgy of the Funeral Rite. Accompanied by the verse of Psalm 23 (Vulgate 22), it expresses the Catholic faith in the triumphant Church which approaches the pilgrim Church to receive the brother who departs: the saints of Heaven and the Angels come personally to fetch the soul of the deceased and present it before the Throne of the Father. This prayer may be recited at the Funeral Rite, on the arrival of the body, and on visits to the tomb of the loved one.

Latin (Missale Romanum, Ordo Exsequiarum):

Subvenite, Sancti Dei, occurrite, Angeli Domini, suscipientes animam eius, offerentes eam in conspectu Altissimi.

Suscipiat te Christus, qui vocavit te, et in sinum Abrahae Angeli deducant te.

Suscipientes animam eius, offerentes eam in conspectu Altissimi.

Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei.

Offerentes eam in conspectu Altissimi.

English (literal translation from the Latin):

Come to his aid, Saints of God, come to meet him, Angels of the Lord, receive his soul, present it before the Most High.

May Christ receive thee, who called thee, and may the Angels lead thee into the bosom of Abraham.

Receive his soul, present it before the Most High.

Grant him, Lord, eternal rest, and may perpetual light shine upon him.

Present it before the Most High.

Amen.