The Monday Evening Candle Ceremony
Every Monday evenings a growing network of people all across the nation, and in other countries too, light candles in memory of their departed pets. It is a very healing ritual with no adherence to any religion or creed, just a simple lighting of candles to bring us all together.
We also gather the names of beloved pets and their people, and keep them in a single file, so that all our thoughts and prayers can focus on them.
If you have a pet who is sick, or who has recently passed "Over the Rainbow Bridge," and you'd like him or her to be remembered on our list, please just post a message here in the "Grieving for Pets" section of the following Forums -
The candle lighting times are:
- 10 PM Eastern
- 9 PM Central
- 8 PM Mountain
- 7 PM Pacific
- 9 PM UK
- 10 PM Central European
The following is the suggested format for the ceremony. All are invited to join us.
CEREMONY
The candles being lit tonight;
Cast a soft and welcome flame.
And draw our loved ones to the light,
As we call to them by name.
Imagine spirits taking flight,
For a moment our souls entwine.
Say not Good Night, but in some
Brighter Time
Bid them all-
Good Morning.
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WE GATHER TOGETHER TO HONOR
AND REMEMBER OUR ANIMALS
Tonight we join hands, hearts and souls across the land as one large extended family to pray for our sick and dying pets and to pay tribute to our furbabies who have gone ahead to Rainbow Bridge. Someday, we will meet them again, with hugs, tears and kisses, as we walk together, in eternity, to our new home. Until that blessed day, we honor these precious souls and remember them with the warm glow of flickering candles, sending a message of love, light and healing, and the faith to believe in miracles.
PRAYER: God, Creator of all living things, we ask that as we light our candles, the healing warmth of love will flow into the brokenhearted who are tending their ailing pets. Give to them Your strength and comfort. We also pray that the soft glow of light will part the clouds of grief and sorrow to surround our furbabies at the Bridge.
May excitement REIGN SUPREME as wagging tails and ecstatic purrs feel our gentle touch once again. May they know the gratitude we hold in our hearts for their faithfulness and gift of unconditional love as they are forever remembered. We are temporarily separated for only a short while. The silver cord that connects us through time and space can never be broken. AMEN.
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CANDLE 1: BRIDGE CHILDREN
Read the names of the furchildren who have gone on ahead.
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I will not look back for there is sorrow.
I will not look for today for there is longing.
I will look forward for there is OUR tomorrow.
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CANDLE 2: SICK AND INJURED FUR CHILDREN
Read the names of those who are ill or have been injured.
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Together we unite to give thanks for the furbabies who have improved in health and strength. We also, being of one heart, pray for the Mommies, Daddies, and furbabies who struggle together against serious illness. We remember in quiet reverence the furbabies who left us and we pray for the grieving families left behind. With one heart, all are remembered and forever cherished by this family of love.
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CANDLE 3: FOR ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND PEACE
In honor of all the homeless, forgotten, abandoned, abused animals. For the nameless furchildren who gave their lives for others, for research and as a result of humankind's inhumanity. May the Higher Powers that be forgive the cruelty. We light this candle for them.
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As our lights shine brightly through the galaxy, may the angels smile upon us, and know that for a brief moment, we have put aside worldly differences to bond as ONE.
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CLOSING:
I have sent you on a journey to a land free from pain, not because I did not love you, but because I loved you too much to force you to stay.
MOMENT OF SILENCE.
"Blessed are they that mourn, for they will be comforted."
Love, light and healing to all. Amen.
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