Solemnity of All Souls

We commemorate the feast of All Souls. Traditionally, the entire month of November is devoted to the Holy Souls in Purgatory. It is a wonderful opportunity to help them get into Heaven.

The following are some ways.

“INVOCATION

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.


FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

My Jesus, by the sorrows Thou didst suffer in Thine agony in the Garden, in Thy scourging and crowning with thorns, in the way to Calvary, in Thy crucifixion and death, have mercy on the souls in purgatory, and especially on those that are most forsaken; do Thou deliver them from the dire torments they endure; call them and admit them to Thy most sweet embrace in paradise. Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal rest, etc.


FOR ALL THE DECEASED

By Thy resurrection from the dead, O Christ, death no longer hath dominion over those who die in holiness. So, we beseech Thee, give rest to Thy servants in Thy sanctuary and in Abraham's bosom. Grant it to those, who from Adam until now have adored Thee with purity, to our fathers and brothers, to our kinsmen and friends, to all men who have lived by faith and passed on their road to Thee, by a thousand ways, and in all conditions, and make them worthy of the heavenly kingdom. Byzantine Liturgy


DE PROFUNDIS

The psalmist is crying out here from the depression that grips him because of his sense of sin. He tells God that no man could be forgiven should strict justice be demanded; but, since God is forgiving and merciful, the psalmist (Israel) will hope for redemption from iniquities. We, who know the mercy of God far better than the g Israelites, may pray this psalm with even greater trust in God. The Church uses this psalm in the liturgy as her official prayer for the souls in Purgatory. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my, voice! Let Your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication: If You, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with You is forgiveness, that You may be revered. I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in His word. My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn. More than sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the Lord, For with the Lord is kindness and with Him is plenteous redemption; And He will redeem Israel from all their iniquities. Psalm 130

Source: St. Michael's Center for the Blessed Virgin Mary where you can find more prayers.

Visiting a Cemetery

"An indulgence is granted the Christian faithful who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, if only momentarily, for the dead. This indulgence is applicable only to the souls in purgatory. This indulgence is a plenary one from November 1 through November 8 and can be gained on each one of these days. One the other days of the year this indulgence is a partial one.

It is therefore, a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sin."

from the Pieta Prayer Book

Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great

Our Lord showed St. Gertrude the Great that the following prayer would release a vast number of souls from purgatory each time it is said.

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.