November is traditionally an especially important month to pray for those in purgatory, and many visit the graves of the departed on All Souls’ Day, November 2nd.
According to the traditional liturgical calendar, when November 2nd falls on a Sunday, All Souls’ Day is transferred to Monday, November 3rd.
All Souls’ Day the Rosary or Chaplet for the Souls in Purgatory is a practice earnestly recommended to all persons who desire to assist the Poor Souls. In the traditional Office, Libera me is also said on All Souls’ Day. In anticipation of All Souls’ Day, when night comes on this day, we darken the room, light a beeswax candle blessed at Candlemas, and pray the rosary for our dead.
It is a holy and wholesome thing to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins. ~ II Macab. 12, 46
An ancient offertory chant in the Mass for the Dead attested to these duties: “Lord, Jesus Christ, King of Glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of Hell and from the deep pit; deliver them from the mouth of the lion that Hell may not swallow them up and that they may not fall into darkness, but by the standard-bearer Michael conduct them into the holy light, which thou didst promise of old to Abraham and his seed. We offer to thee, Lord, sacrifices and prayers; do thou receive them in behalf of those souls whom we commemorate this day. Grant them, Lord, to pass from death to that life which thou didst promise of old to Abraham and to his seed.”
Chaplet for the Dead
The Chaplet for the Dead contains 45 beads. It begins with the Crucifix, 5 introductory beads and 4 sets of 10 beads (40 beads). This Chaplet has no medal. The 40 beads are in memory of the 40 hours which Our Lord is thought to have spent in Limbo. Prayers can also be said on any ordinary Rosary beads.
On the Cross
1 Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord; * Lord, hear my voice.
2 Let thine ears be attentive * to the voice of my supplication.
3 If thou, O Lord, shalt observe our iniquities, * O Lord, who shall endure it?
4 For with thee there is merciful forgiveness; * and by reason of Thy law, I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
5 My soul hath relied on His word: * my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
6 From the morning watch even until night, * let Israel hope in the Lord.
7 Because with the Lord there is mercy, * and with Him plentiful redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel * from all his iniquities.
Or Pater and Ave
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners; Now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
On the Introductory Beads
And all Large Beads
V. Eternal rest grant unto (him/her), O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon (him/her)
Act of Faith
My God, I believe in Thee, because Thou art Truth itself;
I firmly believe the truths revealed to the Church.
Act of Hope
My God, I hope in Thee, because Thou art infinitely good.
Act of Charity
My God, I love Thee with all my heart, and above all things, because Thou art infinitely perfect; and I love my neighbor as myself, for the love of Thee.
On the Small Beads
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love.
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.
Each Set of 10 Beads is Concluded with:
“Eternal Rest Grant unto (him/her)
and let the perpetual light shine upon (him/her).
May (he/she) rest in peace.”
Conclude Prayer with:
V. Eternal rest grant unto (him/her), O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon (him/her).
V. May (he/she) rest in peace.
R. Amen. ✞
V. May (his/her) soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen. ✞
May the love of God
and the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ
bless us and console us
and gently wipe every tear from our eyes.
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen. ✞
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