“Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.” (2 Mac 12:46)
Since the earliest days of the Church, the practice of praying and sacrificing for the dead has been part of the Catholic Church’s sacred tradition. Each day in the Holy Mass, the Church prays for the dead, and she also sets aside the month of November as a special time of prayer for souls in purgatory.
What is Purgatory?
The final purification after death of venial sin or temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven is called “purgatory”. The Church teaches,
“All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1030)
Since nothing unclean can enter heaven, God in His mercy cleanses souls who died in a state of grace from any remaining attachment to sin in purgatory, so they may enter the glory of heaven.
Why offer prayer for souls in Purgatory?
By Baptism, souls are joined to Christ the Head in His Mystical Body, the Church; a bond which even death does not break. The Saints in Heaven, saints on earth, and souls in purgatory are all truly connected through Christ, and can aid one another by their prayers. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:
“In the communion of saints, a perennial link of charity exists between the faithful who have already reached their heavenly home, those who are expiating their sins in purgatory and those who are still pilgrims on earth. Between them there is, too, an abundant exchange of all good things." (CCC, 1475)
Sacred Scripture also points to the value of offering prayer for souls in purgatory in the Second book of Maccabees, saying:
“…for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.” (2 Mac 12:43-46)
How to pray for souls in purgatory?
The Church encourages almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance on behalf of the dead. St. John Chrysostom encourages prayer for the souls in purgatory, saying:
“Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.” (CCC, 1032)
Catholic Prayers for the Dead
There are many powerful ways to offer prayer for souls in purgatory. Here are four traditional Catholic prayers for the dead:
Eternal Rest Prayer:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
- Pray the St Gertrude Prayer: Jesus appeared to St. Gertrude, revealing to her the following prayer for souls in purgatory. Offer the St Gertrude Prayer for your deceased loved ones, and all souls in purgatory, today and every day.
St Gertrude Prayer:
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.
Want to learn more about indulgences and praying for the dead?
The Strength and Alliance Field Journal by Fr. Richard Heilman dives deep into the Church’s teaching on indulgences and praying for the faithful departed. This three-part journal helps you engage search and rescue missions for souls while building an army of heavenly intercessors, teaches you to pray with “Padre Pio Power” for the people in your life, and challenges you to train in virtue through Church Militant Boot Camp so you can move in concert with the communion of saints. Learn more here.
Light a candle in memory of your loved ones as you pray for them, remembering the unity you share in Christ.