📄 Litany of the Dead 📄
Lord have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Jesus, receive our prayers.
Lord Jesus, grant our petitions.
O God the Father, Creator of the world,
Have mercy on the souls of the faithful departed.
O God the Son, Redeemer of mankind,
Deliver the souls of the faithful departed,
O God the Holy Ghost, perfector of the elect,
Acomplish the bliss of the faithful departed.
Blessed Virgin Mary, who, by the special privilege of grace, wast triumphantly assumed into the Kingdom of Thy Son,
Pray for the souls of the faithful departed. *
Blessed Angels, who, ordering aright the first act of your will, were fixed forthwith in unchangeable happiness, *
Blessed Patriarchs, who were filled with joy when the Desired of Nations put an end to your captivity, *
Blessed Prophets, who, after patiently awaiting the arrival of the Messias, were at length consoled by a visit from Him in person, *
Blessed Saints, who, at the glorious Resurrection of Our Saviour, were translated from Limbo to the visible Presence of God, *
Blessed Apostles, who at the last day shall sit to judge the twelve tribes of Israel, *
Blessed Disciples of Our Lord, who followed His steps in the paths of perfection, *
Blessed Martyrs, who passed through the sea of your own blood, entering immediately into the Land of Promise, *
Blessed Confessors, who despised the vanity of the earth, and placed your affections on the joys of heaven, *
Blessed Virgins, who, with your lighted lamps, awaited the coming of the heavenly Spouse, *
O Holy Saints, who, being freed from all irregular attachment to creatures, were perfectly fitted for immediate union with your Creator, *
Be merciful, O Lord, and pardon their sins.
Be merciful, O Lord, and hear their prayers.
From the shades of death, where the light of Thy countenance shineth not,
Deliver them, O Lord. **
From the evils to which immortification in this world must expose them in the other, **
From Thy displeasure, provoked by negligence and ingratitude, **
From the pains of purgatory, so justly inflicted upon unexpiated sins, **
From the torments incomparably greater than the bitterest anguish of this life, **
By the multitude of Thy mercies, ever compassionate to human frailties, **
By the virtue of Thy Cross, whereon Thou reconciledst the world to Thy Father, **
By Thy victorious descent into hell, to break the chains of death, **
By Thy glorious Resurrection from the tomb, to open the Kingdom of Heaven, **
By Thy triumphant Ascension into heaven, to lead captivity captive, **
By Thy dread coming to judge the world, **
We sinners: Beseech Thee to hear us.
That it please Thee to hasten the day when Thy faithful shall be delivered from the mansions of sorrow,
We beseech Thee to hear us. ***
That it please Thee to shorten the time of their expiation, and to admit them speedily into Thy heavenly sanctuary, ***
That it please Thee, through the prayers and good works performed in Thy Church, to receive them into Thy eternal tabernacles, ***
That it please Thee to accept, in atonement for their sins, the infinite value of Thy unbloody Sacrifice, ***
That the blessed view of Jesus may comfort them, and His unfading glory shine upon them, ***
That the whole Church Triumphant may soon celebrate their deliverance; and the choirs of angels sing new hymns of Joy, on their never ending happiness, ***
That we ourselves may share in their triumph, and unite with all the citizens of heaven in eternal alleluias, ***
Son of God: We beseech Thee to hear us.
Lamb of God, Who shalt come with glory to judge the living and the dead:
Give rest to the souls of the faithful departed.
Lamb of God, at Whose Presence the heavens and the earth shall be moved:
Give rest to the souls of the faithful departed.
Lamb of God, in Whose book of life the names of Thy elect are inscribed:
Give rest to the souls of the faithful departed.
Antiphon: Deliver us, O Lord, from eternal death, in that tremendous day when the heavens and the earth shall be moved, whilst Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. We tremble and are sore afraid at the discussion which shall take place, and at Thy future wrath, when the heavens shall be moved, and the earth, when Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. That day is a day of wrath, of calamity, of misery: a great and most bitter day: when Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire.
V. Give them, O Lord, eternal rest:
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.
Let us pray
Grant to Thy servants departed, O Lord, we beseech Thee, Thy mercy, that they who prayed that Thy will be done, may not receive punishments for their misdeeds but that, even as here below the true faith united them to the ranks of the faithful, so in heaven by Thy mercy they may have fellowship with the choirs of angels. Through Christ Our Lord. R. Amen.
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📄 Indulgenced Prayers and Devotions for the Souls in Purgatory 📄
My loving Jesus, I, N. N., give Thee my heart, and I consecrate myself wholly to Thee out of the grateful love I bear Thee, and as a reparation for all my unfaithfulness; and with Thy aid I purpose never to sin again.
(100 days Indulgence, once a day for all who recite the above prayer devoutly and with contrite heart, before a picture of the Sacred Heart.)
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Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, make my heart like unto Thine.
(300 days Indulgence, once a day.)
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved everywhere.
(100 days' Indulgence, once a day.)
May the Heart of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament, be praised, adored, and loved with grateful affection, at every moment in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time.
(100 days Indulgence once a day.)
Jesus, my God, I love Thee above all things.
(50 days' Indulgence, each time.)
My Jesus, Mercy.
(100 days' Indulgence, each time.)
Eternal Father! I offer Thee the precious Blood of Jesus in satisfaction for my sins, and for the wants of the Holy Church.
(100 days' Indulgence, each time.)
Sweet Heart of Jesus, I implore that I may ever love Thee more and more.
(300 days' Indulgence, each time.)
Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation.
(300 days Indulgence, each time.)
O Mary, who didst come into this world free from stain, obtain of God for me that I may leave it without sin.
(100 days Indulgence, once a day.)
St. Joseph, Model and Patron of the friends of the Sacred Heart, pray for us.
(100 days' Indulgence, once a day. Leo XIII, Dec. 19,1891.)
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Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul;
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph assist me in my last agony;
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, let I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.
(7 years Indulgence)
Visit, we beseech You, O Lord, this habitation, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let Your holy Angels dwell herein, to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be always upon us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(5 years Indulgence)
May the most just, most high, and most amiable will of God be done in all things, be praised and magnified forever.
(100 days' Indulgence, once a day.)
Plenary Indulgence, once a year, for those who recite it daily, on the usual conditions. Plenary Indulgence at the moment of death, for those who, having frequently recited it during their lives, accept death with resignation from the hand of God.
O most compassionate Jesus, Thou alone art our salvation, our life, and our resurrection. We implore Thee, therefore, do not forsake us in our needs and afflictions, but by the agony of Thy most Sacred Heart, and by the sorrows of Thy Immaculate Mother, succor Thy servants, whom Thou hast redeemed by Thy most precious Blood.
(100 days' Indulgence, once a day.)
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
(50 days' Indulgence every time for making the Sign of the Cross, using the above words.)
(100 days when made with holy water.)
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Contrite in heart, say '"Hail Mary" seven times, with the below stanza to each "Hail Mary.
Bid me bear, O Mother blessed!
On my heart the wounds impressed
Suffered by the Crucified.
(300 days Indulgence, once a day)
O Divine Heart of Jesus, convert the sinners, save the dying, and release the holy souls in Purgatory.
(An indulgence of 300 days each time.)
📄 Prayer of Saint Gertrude the Great for the Souls in Purgatory 📄
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen
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📄 Efficacy of the Rosary for the Suffering Souls 📄
(from the Manual of the Purgatorial Society 1907)
St. Dominic declared that the redemption of the holy souls from Purgatory is one of the principal effects of the Rosary. The venerable Alanus writes that many of the brethren had assured him that numerous souls had appeared to them whilst reciting the Rosary, and had declared that next to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass there was no more powerful means of helping the suffering souls than the Rosary. And numerous souls were daily released thereby, who otherwise would have been obliged to remain there for years. St. Alphonsus Liguori, therefore, says: " If we wish to be of assistance to the souls in Purgatory, we must always remember them in our prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and especially offer the holy Rosary for them."
Let us then frequently and with devotion recite the Rosary, which is so pleasing to our Blessed Mother, recommended most especially by Holy Church, discloses to us a rich source of grace, and is so efficacious in relieving the suffering souls and opening Heaven to them. Should our labor prevent us from reciting the entire Rosary every day, let us, at least, say a part of it. This simple homage to the Queen of Heaven will draw great blessing down upon us. And the holy souls will be wonderfully consoled and relieved if this devotion be offered in their behalf.
Prayer:
Graciously hear, O Lord, the prayer we offer Thee in the holy Rosary in honor of Mary, Thy Virgin Mother, for the relief of the souls in Purgatory, while in devout meditation upon Thy holy life and suffering we implore Thy Divine assistance. Thou, who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
Special Intercession: Pray for the souls who were most devoted to the holy Rosary. Lord grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times.)
Practice: Recite the Rosary for the suffering souls.
Invocation: My Jesus, mercy!
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📄 Alms-Giving Affords Great Relief to the Departed 📄
Besides prayer and other acts of devotion there are practical good works we can perform for the relief of the suffering souls. Alms-giving is one of the most prominent, for this, being a work of mercy, is especially efficacious in obtaining mercy for the holy souls. Not the rich alone are able to give alms; the poor can do so as well; since it is not the value of the gift, but the good intention with which it is bestowed, that is acceptable in the sight of God.
We also shall one day be numbered among the suffering souls, and who is in greater need and poverty than they? The most miserable beggar in this world can at least complain of his wants and ask others to assist him. But the souls in Purgatory cannot do even this, for the instances in which they are permitted to implore aid of the living are exceptional cases and very few are on record. What consolation it will afford us when, in our own great time of need, the poor whom we have befriended and comforted upon earth, in company with the holy souls whom we delivered by offering this work of mercy for them, shall come to our assistance by their prayers and supplications! Therefore, says Holy Scripture: "Do good to the friend before thou die; and according to thy ability, stretching out thy hand to give to the poor." (Eccl. xiv. 13.)
Prayer:
Lord, graciously look upon the alms we offer for the redemption of the captive souls in Purgatory. Bestow upon them the full merit thereof that they may be able to discharge their debt; accept, we beseech Thee, this boom of charity, that delivered from debt and penalty Thou mayest lead them into Thy heavenly kingdom. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Special Intercession: Pray for the souls of those who upon earth gave alms for the relief of the suffering souls. Lord grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times)
Practice: Bestow a gift upon a poor person,
and offer the merit for the souls in Purgatory.
Invocation: My Jesus, mercy
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📄 Love of the Blessed Virgin Toward the Souls in Purgatory 📄
Since our Divine Redeemer gave us Mary as our Mother, when, dying upon the cross, He said to His disciple," Behold thy Mother," the Blessed Virgin regards all as her beloved children. But she maintains most tender feelings of maternal love towards the suffering souls in Purgatory. Let us then, please this Mother of Love by offering abundant suffrages for the souls in Purgatory. Taking into consideration the great prerogatives of the Blessed Virgin, and the infinite love of the Holy Trinity towards her, we cannot doubt that by her merits and intercession every penitent suffering soul would be delivered at once from Purgatory, were such according to the inscrutable ways of God.
But God has His own designs founded on His infinite wisdom, justice and mercy. The Blessed Virgin does not pray to have all the suffering souls delivered at once, for her will is in perfect conformity to the Will of God, and she exercises her dominion over the souls in Purgatory in perfect union with this Divine Will. St. Bernardin of Siena applies to Mary the text of Holy Writ, "I have walked in the waves of the sea," (Eccl. xxiv. 8), and adds: "She descends into the sea of fire, quenching the flames for the suffering souls." St. Dionysius, the Carthusian, at tests that the souls in Purgatory experience the same joy and relief, at the mere mention of her name, that consoling words bring to the bedridden sick.
Prayer:
O most holy and glorious Virgin Mary, Blessed Mother of our Lord, we place our petitions for the suffering souls in thy hands. Cleanse these souls from all imperfections, and, by thy intercession, obtain for them eternal rest. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord. Amen.
Special Intercession: Pray for the souls who were most zealous in their devotion to the Blessed Virgin.Lord grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times.)
Practice: Say the Litany of the Blessed Virgin for the suffering souls. Invocation: My Jesus, mercy!
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📄 The Special Duty of Children Towards Thier Deceased Parents 📄
"Honor thy father, and forget not the groanings of thy mother. Remember that thou hadst not been born but through them, and make a return to them; as they have done for thee." (Eccl. vii. 29-30.) Next to God, our parents are our greatest benefactors, entitled to most tender love and gratitude, which is the sacred duty of every child. This duty does not end with this life; it is extended even to eternity. Should our departed parents find no relief in their pains? Must they cry out in bitter anguish: "I have reared sons and daughters, but they have forgotten me?"
If we compassionate the misery of strangers, if we do not heartlessly send a beggar from our doors, oh, let us remember how near and dear father and mother are to us, and how greatly we are indebted to them. They cry out to us for mercy. Would it not be the lowest degree of ingratitude were we to forget those who bestowed their best love and care upon us in life? The commandment of God, "Honor thy father and thy mother," is an obligation also, towards our deceased parents.
Prayer:
O God, Who hast commanded us to honor father and mother, look in loving kindness upon the souls of my father and mother, and forgive them their trespasses and grant unto me the joy of being re-united to them in the glorious light of everlasting life. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord. Amen.
Special Intercession: Pray for the souls of parents who have been forgotten by their children. Lord grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times)
Practice: Mortify yourself by an act of obedience.
Invocation : My Jesus, mercy!
📄 A Prayer For Deceased Parents 📄
O God, who hast commanded us to honor our father and our mother, in Thy mercy have pity on the souls of my father and mother, and forgive them their trespass, and make me to see them again in the joy of everlasting Brightness. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen
(Roman Breviary)
📄 Prayer for Those we are Bound to Pray for 📄
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that the souls of Thy servants and handmaidens, the commemoration of whom we keep with special reverence, and for whom we are bidden and are bound to pray, and the souls of all our benefactors, relations, and connections, and all the faithful, may rest in the bosom of Thy Saints; and hereafter, in the Resurrection from the dead, may please Thee in the land of the living. Amen
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📄 The State of Grace Necessary to Assist the Souls in Purgatory 📄
Holy Church teaches us that the state of grace is necessary to perform good works acceptable to God and of merit to the souls in Purgatory. There are some good works, the value of which does not depend upon the spiritual condition of the one who offers them. A person who may be, unfortunately, in the state of mortal sin, can have Masses said for the faithful departed. He himself will acquire no merit thereby, but the suffering souls will derive the full benefit of the Holy Sacrifice. In all other good works offered for them, the state of sanctifying grace is requisite. "He that abideth in Me," says Christ, "and I in him, the same beareth much fruit, for, without Me you can do nothing." If, then, we are incapable of gaining merit for ourselves, how can we bestow any upon others? St. Francis Xavier says: "Before being intent upon delivering souls from Purgatory, take heed to redeem your own souls from Hell!" and here we may add the word of the Lord spoken by His prophet: "Wash yourselves, be clean, take away the evil of your device from my eyes: cease to do perversely." (Isaiah i. 16.)
Prayer:
Grant us the grace, O Lord, to avoid sin at all times, and confirm us in Thy charity, that, by Thy bounty, our supplications for the suffering souls may be acceptable to Thee and beneficial to them. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Special Intercession: Pray for the souls of those who were careful never to lose the grace of God. Lord grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times)
Practice: Make an act of perfect contrition.
Invocation : My Jesus, mercy!
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📄 The Efficacy of Prayer for the Suffering Souls 📄
"It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins." (2 Mach., xii. 46.) Prayer for the dead is holy because pleasing to God; wholesome, because through the merciful goodness of God it accomplishes its sublime and charitable object. Nothing is so pleasing to God as the sacrifice of love and mercy, especially offered for the suffering souls, whom He loves most tenderly, because they are holy and sure of Heaven. To relieve the suffering souls we can do nothing more salutary than to gain indulgences applicable to them, offering to God the perfect satisfaction of Christ and the saints, and performing good works in their behalf, that they may be comforted or delivered from the pains of Purgatory. A suffering soul may receive an entire or a temporary remission of her penalty, according to the indulgence applied.
Prayer:
Open, O Lord, the rich treasures of Thy holy Church, in favor of the souls in Purgatory that they may receive full pardon, or at least, some relief in their pains; and grant us grace to deliver and to comfort a great number of suffering souls by prayer and good works. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Special Intercession: Pray for the souls, who during their earthly career, endeavored to gain many indulgences for the faithful departed. Lord grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times)
Practice: Apply all the indulgences you can gain to the souls in Purgatory.
Invocation : My Jesus, mercy!
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📄 Our Duty to Relieve the Souls in Purgatory 📄
In bestowing charity upon any person, we are usually guided by the degree of his poverty; but who is in such great need as he who possesses absolutely nothing, owes a heavy debt, is unable to labor or gain any merit; or even to beg, and must nevertheless suffer the most excruciating torments until the last farthing has been paid? There is a universal law to assist the needy, which extends even to strangers; but here the obligation is greater, because among these souls in Purgatory are such as were intimately connected with us, who suffer perhaps, for having loved us excessively. Among the sufferers are our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends.
How exceedingly painful for them to be forgotten and deserted even by those whose happiness they promoted during their sojourn on earth; to see the possessions left to their children foolishly squandered, they themselves not receiving the benefit of the least farthing thereof. What proofs of extreme coldness and ingratitude! Were any of these persons afflicted with the least pain upon earth we would do all in our power to relieve them, but, as it is, we are devoid of all sympathy, and leave them in their terrible suffering and anguish.
Prayer:
Have mercy, O Lord, upon the suffering souls in Purgatory, and mitigate the severity of Thy judgment, that they, who during their earthly lives, believed in Thee, hoped in Thee, and loved Thee, may receive the crown of justice in Heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Special Intercession: Pray for the souls of those who are suffering for their negligence in prayer for the souls in Purgatory. Lord grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times.)
Practice: Suffer patiently the disagreeable occurrences in your intercourse with others.
Invocation: My Jesus, mercy!
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📄 The Duration of Purgatory 📄
Concerning the duration of Purgatory, the Church simply tells us that it is not a place of everlasting pain, but will end at the last judgment; neither are we informed of the length of time required for the purification of a soul. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the soul, to be reunited to her Creator in Heaven, must be in the state of primitive innocence which adorned her when she proceeded from His hand. The image of God must be entirely restored within her, commensurate with the degree of glory awaiting her in Heaven. From this it is evident that the suffering souls cannot enter Heaven until perfectly cleansed, either by their pains or by the suffrages of the faithful. With the royal Prophet they cry out in plaintive voices: "As the heart panteth after the fountains of water, so my soul panteth after Thee, O God! When shall I come and appear before the face of God?" (Ps. xli. 2-3.) They suffer until entirely purified, until the last farthing of their debt is paid. Increased and intensified pain will probably supply the want of time for the souls who will not have rendered full satisfaction before the last day.
Prayer:
O God! the Bestower of forgiveness and the lover of human salvation, we implore Thee, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all Thy saints, grant to the souls of our brethren, relatives, benefactors, and all the faithful departed, the joys of eternal bliss. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Special Intercession: Pray for the souls who are most desirous of obtaining help from you. Lord grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times)
Practice: Modify your curiosity.
Invocation: My Jesus, mercy! Lord grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times.)
