Reference
Prayers for the Dead
The Church teaches that praying for the dead is a genuine act of charity toward them — one of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy this platform's own proceeds go toward.
The Eternal Rest
The most common prayer for the dead, short enough to say for anyone, by name, at any moment: "Eternal rest grant unto him/her/them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him/her/them. May he/she/they rest in peace. Amen."
The versicle form, as said at a grave or after Mass
- V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
- R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
- V. May they rest in peace.
- R. Amen.
- V. May his (or her) soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
- R. Amen.
Why this matters beyond the words
The Church teaches that the dead can still be helped by the prayers of the living — this is the entire reasoning behind praying for the faithful departed rather than simply remembering them. It costs nothing and asks nothing back, which is exactly why it is worth doing for someone whose name you might otherwise let go quiet.
What next
Pray Without Ceasing
Short prayers for the ordinary moments of a day.
How to Pray the Holy Rosary
Fifteen decades and the mysteries that go with them.
Find a Latin Mass
Search by city, diocese, country, or your location.
The Ad Orientem Report
Receive The Ad Orientem Report
Reporting, analysis, and important developments from the world of the Traditional Latin Mass. Weekly. Original sources. No outrage.