| Traditional Roman Catholicism |
Praying for the Dead
II Maccabees 12:43-46:
"And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice
to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection,
4(For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed
superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) And because he considered that they who had
fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them.
It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed
from sins. "
Those who've died in a state of grace are not truly "dead"; they are our beloved in Heaven or
in Purgatory (on their way to Heaven) and will forever be, world without end, part of the
Communion of Saints -- the Church Triumphant (the Saints in Heaven, whether or not they are
beatified or canonized), the Church Suffering (the saints in Purgatory), and the Church Militant
(the saints on earth).
Because we can't know, aside from those the Church has beatified or canonized, who is
already in Heaven, who is in Purgatory for a time, or who is damned, we pray for the dead for
the rest of our lives -- assuming they are in Purgatory, while hoping they are in Heaven and not
damned.
We also ask those who've died to pray for us. While those whom the Church has deemed to be
of the Church Triumphant (the canonized Saints) are in Heaven for certain and are, therefore,
in no need of our prayers for them, we've always asked for them to pray for us. As to the
Church Suffering in Purgatory, Aquinas teaches that they are not able to know, by themselves,
our prayers; however, it is piously believed, and taught by St. Alphonsus Liguori, that God
makes our prayers known to them -- not directly, as they are deprived of the Beatific Vision
until they enter Heaven, but by infusing this knowledge into their souls. St. Bellarmine teaches
that because the Church Suffering is so close to God -- much closer than we are and having
the great consolation of knowing they are saved -- their prayers for us are very effective. So, as
you pray for your dead loved ones, ask them to pray for you, too!
As to the damned, there is no hope; no prayer can help them and we can't pray formally for
those in Hell. The problem, of course, is that we can't know who is damned, and so we pray
generally for "all the faithful departed." For those who've died outside of visible Communion
with Christ's Church or for those Catholics who've died seemingly without repentance and in
scandal, public prayer cannot be offered, but we can most certainly still pray privately with the
hope that they've died in a state of grace (i.e., those who are denied a Catholic funeral can't be
prayed for liturgically, publicly, but they can most definitely be prayed for -- and should be
prayed for -- privately). Priests can even offer Masses for such people privately, without
naming them.
"And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice
to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection,
4(For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed
superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) And because he considered that they who had
fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them.
It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed
from sins. "
Those who've died in a state of grace are not truly "dead"; they are our beloved in Heaven or
in Purgatory (on their way to Heaven) and will forever be, world without end, part of the
Communion of Saints -- the Church Triumphant (the Saints in Heaven, whether or not they are
beatified or canonized), the Church Suffering (the saints in Purgatory), and the Church Militant
(the saints on earth).
Because we can't know, aside from those the Church has beatified or canonized, who is
already in Heaven, who is in Purgatory for a time, or who is damned, we pray for the dead for
the rest of our lives -- assuming they are in Purgatory, while hoping they are in Heaven and not
damned.
We also ask those who've died to pray for us. While those whom the Church has deemed to be
of the Church Triumphant (the canonized Saints) are in Heaven for certain and are, therefore,
in no need of our prayers for them, we've always asked for them to pray for us. As to the
Church Suffering in Purgatory, Aquinas teaches that they are not able to know, by themselves,
our prayers; however, it is piously believed, and taught by St. Alphonsus Liguori, that God
makes our prayers known to them -- not directly, as they are deprived of the Beatific Vision
until they enter Heaven, but by infusing this knowledge into their souls. St. Bellarmine teaches
that because the Church Suffering is so close to God -- much closer than we are and having
the great consolation of knowing they are saved -- their prayers for us are very effective. So, as
you pray for your dead loved ones, ask them to pray for you, too!
As to the damned, there is no hope; no prayer can help them and we can't pray formally for
those in Hell. The problem, of course, is that we can't know who is damned, and so we pray
generally for "all the faithful departed." For those who've died outside of visible Communion
with Christ's Church or for those Catholics who've died seemingly without repentance and in
scandal, public prayer cannot be offered, but we can most certainly still pray privately with the
hope that they've died in a state of grace (i.e., those who are denied a Catholic funeral can't be
prayed for liturgically, publicly, but they can most definitely be prayed for -- and should be
prayed for -- privately). Priests can even offer Masses for such people privately, without
naming them.
Masses For The Dead
Masses on the 3rd, 7th, and 30th Days and on Anniversaries
In addition to the prayers said just after death, and the prayers of the funeral Mass, it is Catholic
practice to have Masses said for the departed on the 3rd, 7th, and 30th days after the death or
burial. When tallying the dates for such Masses, one starts counting the day after the date of
death or burial as day one. That is, for example, if someone were to die on May 1st and be
buried on May 3rd, the Mass said for him on the 7th day should be offered on May 8th (the 7th
day after death) or May 10th (the 7th day after the date of burial). Masses are also offered on the
anniversaries of the date of death, but these are celebrated on the same date -- i.e., one who
dies on May 1, 2005 will have a Mass said on May 1, 2006.
Masses for the dead have infinite value, in the objective order, for the souls of the departed.
They also have great subjective value for those who survive in that it is comforting to know that
Masses are being offered for one's departed loved ones. So, while the bereaved can arrange
such Masses, others, even non-Catholics, can arrange with a priest to have such Masses said,
too, which would be a great gift of comfort to survivors (stole fees for such Masses are usually
$5 to $10 dollars, depending on the diocese). Such Masses don't necessarily have to be offered
in the diocese(s) of the deceased or bereaved; any priest, anywhere in the world, can be asked
to offer a Mass for someone (note to non-Catholics: traditional Catholics would be most
comforted, or only comforted, by a traditional Mass being offered, depending on how they view
the Novus Ordo Mass. So be safe and arrange such things with a traditional priest.).
In any case, it is customary to let the bereaved know you've asked that a Mass be said by
sending him a "Mass Card." A Mass Card is much like a greeting card, but with a place to write
in the intentions of a requested Mass, the name of the person who arranged the Mass, and,
sometimes, the name of the priest who will be offering the Mass. Your church, chapel, or funeral
home might have Mass Cards to send, but, if not, you can get them from Catholic gift shops and
stationers, too. (Note that Mass Cards aren't only sent to notify people of Masses for their dead
loved ones, though this is their most common use; they can be sent to notify someone about
Masses offered for other intentions, too, but Mass Cards for the Dead and Mass Cards for the
Living are usually decorated very differently).
Masses for the Dead can be offered at almost any time, not only on the days mentioned above.
At any time throughout the year after death of a loved one, and also in the years to come, a
Catholic would consider it a very beautiful thing to receive a Mass Card letting him know that a
Mass is being said for someone he misses. Most importantly, though, aside from the "gift"
aspect of offering Masses for a friend's dead relatives, the soul of the departed would receive
the benefits of the greatest prayers of the Church and the infinite value of the offering of the Son
to the Father for the remission of sins!
In addition to having a Mass said on the anniversary of a loved one's death as mentioned
above, there exists an old Christian custom of fasting, burning a candle for 24 hours, and
praying for them on this day . For private prayer, Any orthodox traditional or improvised prayer
can be prayed at this time, but the Rosary is always appropriate and can be prayed now (or any
time) for the dead, offered in the same way it is at Catholic funerals -- i.e., with the Fatima Prayer
replaced by the Eternal Rest Prayer. The Eternal Rest prayer is also prayed by itself, offered any
time for the dead, when visiting grave sites, and when passing cemeteries. It is a prayer every
Catholic should know by heart:
In addition to the prayers said just after death, and the prayers of the funeral Mass, it is Catholic
practice to have Masses said for the departed on the 3rd, 7th, and 30th days after the death or
burial. When tallying the dates for such Masses, one starts counting the day after the date of
death or burial as day one. That is, for example, if someone were to die on May 1st and be
buried on May 3rd, the Mass said for him on the 7th day should be offered on May 8th (the 7th
day after death) or May 10th (the 7th day after the date of burial). Masses are also offered on the
anniversaries of the date of death, but these are celebrated on the same date -- i.e., one who
dies on May 1, 2005 will have a Mass said on May 1, 2006.
Masses for the dead have infinite value, in the objective order, for the souls of the departed.
They also have great subjective value for those who survive in that it is comforting to know that
Masses are being offered for one's departed loved ones. So, while the bereaved can arrange
such Masses, others, even non-Catholics, can arrange with a priest to have such Masses said,
too, which would be a great gift of comfort to survivors (stole fees for such Masses are usually
$5 to $10 dollars, depending on the diocese). Such Masses don't necessarily have to be offered
in the diocese(s) of the deceased or bereaved; any priest, anywhere in the world, can be asked
to offer a Mass for someone (note to non-Catholics: traditional Catholics would be most
comforted, or only comforted, by a traditional Mass being offered, depending on how they view
the Novus Ordo Mass. So be safe and arrange such things with a traditional priest.).
In any case, it is customary to let the bereaved know you've asked that a Mass be said by
sending him a "Mass Card." A Mass Card is much like a greeting card, but with a place to write
in the intentions of a requested Mass, the name of the person who arranged the Mass, and,
sometimes, the name of the priest who will be offering the Mass. Your church, chapel, or funeral
home might have Mass Cards to send, but, if not, you can get them from Catholic gift shops and
stationers, too. (Note that Mass Cards aren't only sent to notify people of Masses for their dead
loved ones, though this is their most common use; they can be sent to notify someone about
Masses offered for other intentions, too, but Mass Cards for the Dead and Mass Cards for the
Living are usually decorated very differently).
Masses for the Dead can be offered at almost any time, not only on the days mentioned above.
At any time throughout the year after death of a loved one, and also in the years to come, a
Catholic would consider it a very beautiful thing to receive a Mass Card letting him know that a
Mass is being said for someone he misses. Most importantly, though, aside from the "gift"
aspect of offering Masses for a friend's dead relatives, the soul of the departed would receive
the benefits of the greatest prayers of the Church and the infinite value of the offering of the Son
to the Father for the remission of sins!
In addition to having a Mass said on the anniversary of a loved one's death as mentioned
above, there exists an old Christian custom of fasting, burning a candle for 24 hours, and
praying for them on this day . For private prayer, Any orthodox traditional or improvised prayer
can be prayed at this time, but the Rosary is always appropriate and can be prayed now (or any
time) for the dead, offered in the same way it is at Catholic funerals -- i.e., with the Fatima Prayer
replaced by the Eternal Rest Prayer. The Eternal Rest prayer is also prayed by itself, offered any
time for the dead, when visiting grave sites, and when passing cemeteries. It is a prayer every
Catholic should know by heart:
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
Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon
him/her (them). May he/she (they) rest in
peace. Amen
Réquiem ætérnam dona ei (eis) Dómine; et lux
perpétua lúceat ei (eis). Requiéscat
(Requiéscant) in pace. Amen.
perpétua lúceat ei (eis). Requiéscat
(Requiéscant) in pace. Amen.
We also pray for our dead every time we eat if we pray the After Meal Blessing, another prayer
every Catholic should know by heart:
every Catholic should know by heart:
We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, O
Almighty God, Who livest and reignest
forever. And may the souls of the faithful
departed, through the mercy of God, rest in
peace. Amen.
Almighty God, Who livest and reignest
forever. And may the souls of the faithful
departed, through the mercy of God, rest in
peace. Amen.
Agimus tibi gratias, omnipotens Deus, pro
universis beneficiis tuis, qui vivis et regnas in
saecula saeculorum. Fidelium animae, per
misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace. Amen.
universis beneficiis tuis, qui vivis et regnas in
saecula saeculorum. Fidelium animae, per
misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace. Amen.
The Penitential Psalms -- i.e., Psalms 6, 31, 37, 50, 101, 129, 142 -- are also prayed for the dead,
especially the 129th Psalm, known as De Profundis (Out of the Depths):
especially the 129th Psalm, known as De Profundis (Out of the Depths):
Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O
Lord: Lord hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my
supplication.
If Thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O
Lord, who shall stand?
But there is forgiveness with Thee: because
of Thy law I wait for Thee, O Lord.
My soul waiteth on His word: my soul hopeth
in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until night let
Israel hope in the Lord:
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him
is plentiful redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel, from all their
iniquities
Lord: Lord hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my
supplication.
If Thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O
Lord, who shall stand?
But there is forgiveness with Thee: because
of Thy law I wait for Thee, O Lord.
My soul waiteth on His word: my soul hopeth
in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until night let
Israel hope in the Lord:
For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him
is plentiful redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel, from all their
iniquities
De profúndis clamávi ad te, Dómine: Dómine,
exáudi vocem meam.
Fiant aures tuae intendéntes: in vocem
deprecationes meae.
Si iniquitátes observaveris, Dómine: Dómine,
quis sustinébit.
Quia apud te propitiátio est: et propter legem
tuam sustinui te, Dómine.
Sustinuit ánima mea in verbo ejus: sperávit
ánima mea in Dómino.
A custodia matutina usque ad noctem: specret
Israel in Dómino.
Quia apud Dóminum misericordia: et copiósa
apud eum redémptio.
Et ipse redimet Israel
exáudi vocem meam.
Fiant aures tuae intendéntes: in vocem
deprecationes meae.
Si iniquitátes observaveris, Dómine: Dómine,
quis sustinébit.
Quia apud te propitiátio est: et propter legem
tuam sustinui te, Dómine.
Sustinuit ánima mea in verbo ejus: sperávit
ánima mea in Dómino.
A custodia matutina usque ad noctem: specret
Israel in Dómino.
Quia apud Dóminum misericordia: et copiósa
apud eum redémptio.
Et ipse redimet Israel
The Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great
Another prayer Catholics should be familiar with is that of St. Gertrude the Great (A.D.
1256-1301/2), who was told by Our Lord in a private revelation, that when the following prayer is
prayed earnestly, 1,000 souls will be released from Purgatory. Because of the desire to unite the
prayer with the merits of the Mass, it is most powerful:
"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 own
family. Amen. "
Another prayer Catholics should be familiar with is that of St. Gertrude the Great (A.D.
1256-1301/2), who was told by Our Lord in a private revelation, that when the following prayer is
prayed earnestly, 1,000 souls will be released from Purgatory. Because of the desire to unite the
prayer with the merits of the Mass, it is most powerful:
"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 own
family. Amen. "