November: The Holy Souls in Purgatory - 1954 Prayer Book Prayers

The Daily Knight

All Souls Day in Rome is a painting by Jose Gallegos

The Holy Souls are those who have died in the state of grace but who are not yet free from all punishment due to their unforgiven venial sins and all other sins already forgiven for which satisfaction is still to be made. They are certain of entering Heaven, but first they must suffer cause for them the night has come, when no man can work (John 9:4. It is our great privilege of brotherhood that we can shorten their time of separation from God by our prayers, good works, and, especially, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Invocation

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

Indulgence of 300 days, applicable only to the holy souls. (582)

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.

Indulgence of 500 days. (596)

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 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: