>> we take you live now to wilmington delaware, where the biden family is holding the funeral for beau biden today the vice president path son. he died last week at the age of 46 from brain cancer. his funeral taking place today at saint anthony's roman catholic church in wilmington. president obama among those attending and he will be delivering the eulogy later on. a camera view here outside the church, awaiting the arrival of the casket. live coverage of the funeral service here on c-span. >> [indistinct chatter]

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>> [indistinct chatter] >> again, we are outside the church in wilmington delaware, where the beau biden funeral will be taking place today. the vice president's son

passingly last saturday, after a nearly two-year battle with brain cancer. the president, barack obama will be attending today. he will be delivering a eulogy. also, a number of dignitaries including bill and hillary clinton, will be attending today. the associated press said yesterday that the donations have been pouring in for a late charity to honor beau biden's late efforts. the beau biden foundation for the protection of children received more than 600 contributions in its first two days since being announced. again, that from the associated press. again, we are outside the roman catholic church in wilmington, delaware. our live coverage of the funeral service for the vice president's son, beau biden, should begin shortly. we are waiting the arrival of the family and the casket

bearing beau biden. >> [indistinct chatter]

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>> c-span is live in wilmington, delaware, where the son of vice president joe biden, beau biden 's, funeral is taking place today. our camera is now they're outside, awaiting the arrival of family and the casket bearing beau biden. we also have a camera inside the church. we will show you that you as well. -- view as a. -- vie as well. @cspan>> ♪

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>> ♪ >> [singing]

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>> ♪ >> we gather, with god's spirit to celebrate the great life of beau biden. given him by the god of all life, with the promise that in jesus christ, he is baptized into the body of christ and is for us a promise of eternity. thank you all for coming from

the biden family, and indeed from the american nation. god, almighty father, our faith professes that your son died and rose again. mercifully grant that through this mystery, your servant who has fallen asleep in christ, will rejoice to rise again through him, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the holy spirit, one god, for ever and ever, amen.

>> [indiscernible] the virtuous man, though he died before his time, -- understanding -- [indiscernible] he has sought to please god, so god has loved him, as he was living among sinners, he has been taken up. he has been carried off so that evil may not be with his understanding or treachery unto his soul.

coming to perfection in so short a well, he achieved long life. he has taken him quickly from the wickedness around him. the word of the lord. >> thanks be to god. >> ♪

>> [singing]

>> ♪ >> [singing]

>> ♪ >> [singing]

♪ in the lord's own house shower i dwell forever and ever ♪ ♪ my shepherd is the lord ♪ ♪ let the father rule in glory ♪

♪ forever and ever ♪ ♪ my shepherd is the lord ♪

>> a reading from the second letter from st. paul to the corinthians. "brothers and sisters, we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, is destroyed, we have a dwelling from god. the dwelling is with him eternal, in heaven. we are always courageous, while we are at home in the body, we are courageous with the lord. we are courageous. the word is the lord." >> thanks be to god. ♪

>> ♪ alleluia, alleluia alleluia. ♪ >> ♪ alleluia, alleluia

alleluia. ♪ >> ♪ come to me and i will give you rest. ♪ ♪ alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ♪ >> the lord be with you. a reading from the holy gospel according to john. "now when jesus came to bethel he -- bethany, he had found that

there was a tomb for two days. bethany was two days off. when martha heard that jesus was coming, she went and met him while mary was in the house. martha said to jesus 'lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died. whatever you ask of god, god will give you.' jesus said to her 'your brother will rise again.' martha said to him 'i know he will rise again in the coming of the last days.' jesus said to her 'whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.'

'do you believe this?' she said to him. 'yes, lord, i believe the son of god coming into the world.'" the gospel of the lord. >> thanks be to god. alley, dearest natalie, and hunter, joe and jill, hunter and kathleen, ashley and howard, your evidence, the cardinal, the bishop, your excellency bishop, your evidence archbishop, the reverends, president obama and

the many other dignitaries and public servants who are here, dear friends all. the reaction has been universal. whether you were a friend of beau biden or knew him from the press, how sad. how very, very sad. it is heartbreaking. when i heard the news, i wept. this great young man this splendid son this devoted and deeply loving father this fearlessly patriotic public servant is gone. gone. gone. it was is, like the night of good friday.

the one we hoped in, counted on, and our future has been taken from us. how do you say goodbye from the finest man that any of us has ever known? first, i think we face the loss. we lost the handsome and winning presence of a humble gift. the richness of that gift is the measure of our grief. the nobler a man is, the more righteous and revered, but the one to be praised and worshiped is not himself, but his creator. for all his sense of

responsibility and commitment, he knows that he did not invent himself, what was given life and a world to fulfill it in by the loving lord. only at the and of that life, can he or his lord, or indeed any of us, make a full accounting of his achievements. with the young and the old that are dying it is only then that we can say that the life has been given and all those that we have loved within the gift, taketh, now lord, it was your gift. all of my family and friends and public service was your gift as well. take them now. take them now and fold them in your mercy. lead us home. you will know now fully the grace that accompanied you. as surely as beau biden knelt at

night to pray with his wife and children, he knew the commitment of jesus. father, into thy hands, i commit my spirit. weather in prolonged suffering like beau's, our mortal lives our gifts that must pass through the darkness of death will surely know the splendor of eternity. in this sense, death is not extinguishing the light. as a great indian poet once wrote, it is only putting out the lamp because the don has come. -- dawn has come. or in the words of poe we have

a building of god, a house. beau's life of giving was to all citizens and to his family and was dazzling. as a young lawyer working for the justice department in philadelphia or to war-torn kosovo and a member of the delaware army national guard and as attorney general of delaware or going for a run of the united states senate, because he felt his mission was to continue to help watch children for -- children of abuse, his words were honor, integrity. my own favorite picture shows him standing before his father at an american base near baghdad on july 4 2009, midway through

his deployment in iraq. the two at men known for the warmth of their smiles are close to grim. a sense of danger and possibly worse hangs over the crewcut son in fatigues and looking into the eyes of the earnest father. there is no limit to what the protection of life may entail. nor was therefore jesus. how is he the gift that would redeem the gift that would fill our creation? how did god give us this son to reveal god's vision to the world and lead the world to god? i would prefer not to say that god gave us this son to die for us. what father could possibly envision that?

god gave us the sun, god's own word and flesh, to live with us and for us. god gave us jesus to preach the kingdom among us and to rain for forgiveness. if that led to violence and rejection and poverty, both civil and religious, and it were's threatened, so be it. cheeses would not turn back. he remained true to his word in the very deepest sense, even to the cross, which made it possible for god once and ever to reveal the power of his forgiving love over even the cruelest death. death is so often cruel. we feel that today moving from good friday into holy saturday when all the silence and

feelings are muted, grief and mourning take everything. beau is gone. but from our immediate vision only. for we live now not only after good friday and through holy saturday but in easter. and here is beau's great final gift to us. promising, as he most assuredly was, his death calls us to hear again that the promise that gift of life in tales. it is the promise -- entails. it is the promise that the jewish people first were given by god forever, and it was first spoken of cheeses in bethany, i am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in me knows a person dies, yet shall

the person live. in jesus christ, writes st. paul, it is always yes, for all find their yes in him. that is why we utter a men through him for the glory of god -- amen through him for the glory of god. in a few moments in the eucharist prayer, we will consider the mysteries of the holy spirit. for us, in a special way, it becomes the promise of union with beau in the union of saints. now and one day, forever. we pray for the united now, one day forever, with a remarkable man for whom believe was not

simply a view of life. not merely confession, but commitment. not only a generous life, that a search for the justice that makes friendship possible -- bu tat a search for the justice that makes friendship possible. through christ and in the holy spirit. i have no doubt that in this sense, may 30, 2015 is a feast day for every one here. we may be grieving, we may weep more, but thanks to beau, this is also a time of almost unlimited grace. i pray for all of us that the

gift and promise of his life may deepen our love and faith and hope in god and in one another in god.

[ave maria playing] >> ♪ ave maria gratia plena. ♪

♪maria, gratia plena. ♪ ♪ maria gratia plena. ♪ ♪ ave, ave dominus, ♪ ♪ dominus tecum. ♪ ♪bendicta tu in mulieribus ♪ ♪ et benedictus ♪

♪ et benedictus frutus ventris ♪ ♪ ventris tui jesus ♪ ♪ ave maria ♪

♪ ave maria, mater dei ♪ ♪ ora pro nobis peccatoribus ♪ ♪ ora, ora pro nobis ♪ ♪ora, ora pro nobis peccatoribus ♪ ♪ nunc et in hora mortis ♪ ♪ in hora mortis mortis

nostrae ♪ ♪ in hora mortis nostrae ♪ ♪ ave maria ♪

>> pray, brothers and sisters that my secretary send yours may be acceptable to god, the almighty father -- that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to god, the almighty father. as we humbly present to you these sacrificial offerings, old lord, we beseech your mercy that he that did not doubt your son to be a loving savior may find in him a merciful judge who lives and reigns forever and

ever amen. the lord be with you. lift up your hearts. let us give thanks to the lord our god. it is truly right and just, our duty and to salvation, always and everywhere, to give you thanks lord, holy father, almighty and eternal god. in him, the hope of blessed resurrection helps those saddened by the certainty of dying, and it may be meant to console those. indeed, for your faithful, lord, life has changed not ended, and when this earthly dwelling turns to dust, that internal life is made ready in heaven. when angels and archangels,

thrones and dominions made they sing the hymn of your glory in endless a claim. -- endless accalimlaim. -- endless a cclaim. ♪ [singing]

>> you are indeed holy, o lord, and all you have created rightly gives you praise. through our lord, jesus christ and the power of the holy spirit, you gave a life to all things. you never cease to gather a people to yourself so that from the rising of the sun to its setting, a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name. therefore, o lord, we humbly implore you, graciously make holy these gifts of that we have brought to you for consecration, so they may become the body and son of your -- body and blood of

your son, jesus christ. for on the night he was betrayed, he himself took red and giving you thanks, said a blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his disciples saying "take this, all of you and eat of it, for this is my body to be given up for you." in a similar way when supper was ended, he took the chalice and giving thanks, he said the blessing, and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying "take this, all of you, and drink from it. this is the chalice of my blood the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins.

do this in memory of me." the mystery of our faith. ♪ [singing] >> therefore, o lord, as we celebrate the memorial of his passion and wonder us resurrection and ascension into heaven and as we look forward to his second coming, we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and

living sacrifice. look we pray and we will you to reconcile us to yourself. grant that we are nourished by the body and blood of your son and may be filled with his holy spirit. one body, one spirit in christ. may he make of us and internal offering to you so that we may obtaining an inheritance of your elect, especially with your blessed merry, mother of god, the blessed apostles, at whose constant blessing we rely on for good health. we pray, o lord, that this advances the peace in all the world.

please confirm in faith and charity your pilgrim church on earth. please bless francis r pope, the order of bishops all of the clergy's, and all of the people you have claimed for your own -- francis, our pope, the order of bishops, all of the clergy, and all of the people you have claimed for your own. may beau also be one with him in resurrection and the men from the earth will raise up the flesh of those who have died and transform our lowly body after the pattern of his own glorious life. to our departed brothers and sisters to all who are pleasing to you, at their passing of this life, give kind admittance to your kingdom. there, we hope to enjoy forever the fullness of your glory

where you will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and seeing you the god that you are, we shall be praising you without and. -- without end. through christ, our lord, whom you have bestowed upon the world for all that is good. through him and with him, all glory and honor is yours for ever and ever. -- for ever and ever. ♪ [singing] >> ♪ amen, amen, amen. ♪

>> let us pray now, our father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. thy kingdom come, thy will be done, as it is now as it is in heaven. give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as you would forgive those who trespass against us. deliver us, o lord, we pray, from every evil, and graciously grant us peace in our days. let us be free from sin and safe from all distress as we await the coming of our savior, jesus christ. the kingdom and power are yours forever and ever, amen.

lord, jesus christ, you said to your apostles, he's ib view, my peace -- peace i leave you, my peace i give you. graciously grant us peace and unity in accordance of your will and may reign for ever and ever -- forever and ever, amen. ♪

[singing] >> ♪ lamb of god, you take away the sins of the world, have

mercy on us. ♪ ♪ lamb of god you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. ♪ ♪ lamb of god, you take away the sins of the world have grant us peace. ♪ ♪ lamb of god. ♪ ♪ >> this is the lamb of god, who takes away the sin of the world. we are blessed to be called to his table.

>> lord, i am not worthy, but say the word, and my servant shall be healed." >> if you would like to receive communion, please come forward with your hands across your chest and you will receive a blessing.

♪ [amazing grace playing] >> ♪ amazing grace ♪ ♪ how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me ♪

♪ i once was lost, but now am found ♪ ♪ was blind, but now i see ♪ ♪ 'twas grace that taught my heart to fear ♪ ♪ and grace my fears relieved ♪ ♪ how precious did that grace appear ♪ ♪ tje jpir o forsthe hour i first

believed ♪ ♪ through many dangers toils and snares ♪ ♪ i have already come ♪ ♪ 'tis grace hath broght me safe thus far ♪ ♪ and grace will lead me home. ♪ ♪ amazing grace, how sweet the

sound ♪ ♪ that saved a wretch like me ♪ ♪ i once was lost but now i am found ♪ ♪ was blind, but now i see ♪ ♪ amazing grace how sweet the sound ♪ ♪ that saved a wretch like me ♪

♪ i once was lost, but now i am found ♪ ♪ was blind but now i see ♪ ♪ amazing grace how sweet the sound ♪ ♪ that saved a wretch like me ♪

♪ i once was lost, ibut now i am found ♪ ♪ was blind, but now i see ♪ ♪

>> ♪ whoever dwells in the shelter of the most high ♪ ♪ the snare will never capture you ♪

♪ and famine will bring you no fear ♪ ♪ under his wings, your refuge ♪ ♪ his faithfulness, your shield ♪ ♪ he will raise you up on eagle's wings ♪ ♪ make you to shine like the sun ♪ ♪ and hold you in the plamalm of his hand ♪ ♪ and hold you hold you in the palm of his hand ♪

♪ [singing]

♪ [singing]

♪

[singing]

♪ [singing]

♪ >> ♪ you shall cross the barren desert ♪ ♪ but you shall not die of thirst ♪ ♪ you shall wander far in safety ♪ ♪ though you do not know the way ♪ ♪ you shall speak your words in

foreign lands ♪ ♪ and all will understand ♪ ♪ you shall see the face of god and live ♪ ♪ be not afraid ♪ ♪ i glorify you always ♪ ♪ come, follow me, and i will give you rest ♪ ♪ if you pass through waging waters in the sea ♪

♪ you shall not drown ♪ ♪ if you walk amid the burning flames ♪ ♪ you shall not be harmed ♪ ♪ if you stand before the power of hell ♪ ♪ and death is at your side ♪ ♪ know that i am with you through it all ♪ ♪ be not afraid ♪ ♪ i glorify you always ♪ ♪ come, follow me and i will give you rest ♪

♪ [♪ singing in latin ♪]

>> ♪ quando sono solo e sogno all'orizzonte ♪ ♪ e mancan le parole ♪ ♪ si lo so che non c'e luce ♪ ♪in una stanza quando manca il sole ♪

♪ se non ci sei tu con me, con me ♪ ♪time to say goodbye ♪ ♪ time to say goodbye ♪ ♪ con te partiro ♪

♪ su navi per mari che, io lo so ♪ ♪ no, no non esistono piu ♪ ♪ con te io li rivivro ♪ ♪ con te partiro ♪ ♪ io con te! ♪

>> lord god, your son left us the sacrament of his body, food for the journey mercifully grant and strengthen us by it our brother beau may come to the attorney told table of christ, who lives and reigns -- may come to the table of christ, who lives and reigns forever and ever.

>> good morning. it is my distinct honor to be here today to remember and celebrate the life and a cop judgments of beau biden -- and accomplishments of beau biden. a son, a friend, a leader, a soldier, and a patriot. a life much too short, but a life that had incredible meaning and a life that left an indelible mark on all of us. beau's family was the center of his life, and he always put them first.

his loving wife and his son and daughter, hunter and hailey, his brother and sister, i know how much he loved you also dearly. i know this is an exceptionally difficult time for family. words cannot express the sorrow that linda and i have for the loss of beau. but as i look out across the audience gathered here today, i reflect on the impact beau's life has had on all of us all across the nation. in particular, the state of delaware throughout the united states army, and most of all his family, friends, and colleagues. i want to start off talking about beau biden, the soldier.

it was in iraq when i had the incredible honor to serve the site him and really get to know him. it is sometimes -- serve beside him and really get to know him. the shared commitment to mission. the unspoken reliance on each other. the undefinable trust that is forged. it is a brotherhood that only a few understand. i have always believed that an individual's character defines them as a person. a man's character is revealed under the most extreme and stressful conditions. i was able to witness firsthand his incredible character. he understood