Prayer for Souls in Purgatory
A prayer for souls in purgatory is one of the most ancient and tender acts of Catholic charity, reaching beyond death to help those being purified before they enter the fullness of heaven. The Church teaches that the souls in purgatory are saved and destined for eternal life, yet they undergo a final cleansing of the effects of sin. Because they can no longer merit for themselves, our prayers, almsgiving, and especially the Holy Mass can assist them. The faithful departed are not forgotten; they remain joined to us in the communion of saints.
The traditional Eternal Rest prayer has been whispered for centuries at gravesides and after the names of the dead. On this page you will find that beloved prayer along with original petitions for the holy souls. Praying for the dead is a spiritual work of mercy and a profound expression of hope in the resurrection.
The Eternal Rest Prayer
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
A Prayer for the Holy Souls
Merciful Father, look with love upon the souls in purgatory who long to see Your face. Cleanse them of all that keeps them from You, and through the merits of Your Son's passion, bring them swiftly into the joy of heaven. May the prayers of the Church and the offering of the Holy Mass hasten their entrance into eternal light. Amen.
A Prayer for a Departed Loved One
Lord Jesus, I commend to Your mercy the soul of those I have loved and lost. Forgive their sins, console them in their purification, and welcome them home into Your kingdom. Comfort me in my grief with the sure hope that we shall be reunited in You. Amen.
Mercy for the Faithful Departed
Merciful God, rich in compassion and slow to anger, I come before You on behalf of the souls of the faithful departed who await the fullness of Your presence. In Your great love You have promised that nothing impure can stand before You, and yet in that same love You make every soul ready to behold Your glory. I entrust to Your mercy all who have died and are being purified, especially those of my own family who have gone before me. Remember the good they did, the love they gave, and the faith they carried, however imperfectly, to the end. Wash away whatever still separates them from the joy of heaven, and hasten the day they see You face to face. I offer my prayers and small sacrifices for their sake, trusting that no act of love offered in Your name is ever wasted. Comfort, too, those of us who still grieve, and let our remembrance of the dead draw us closer to You. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of mercy, may these souls be brought swiftly into eternal light. Teach me to live now in a way that prepares me for that same homecoming. And let perpetual light shine upon all the departed. Amen.
Eternal Rest
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Scripture to pray
Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.— 2 Maccabees 12:46
If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.— 1 Corinthians 3:15
Frequently asked questions
What is purgatory in Catholic teaching?
Purgatory is the state of final purification undergone by those who die in God's grace and friendship but are still imperfectly purified. The Church teaches that these souls are assured of their eternal salvation but must be cleansed before entering the joy of heaven.
Why do Catholics pray for the dead?
Catholics pray for the dead because the souls in purgatory can be helped by our prayers, almsgiving, and the offering of the Holy Mass. Praying for the dead is a spiritual work of mercy rooted in Scripture and the constant practice of the Church since apostolic times.
Does praying for souls in purgatory really help them?
Yes, the Church teaches that our prayers can assist the holy souls in purgatory. Because they can no longer merit for themselves, the intercession of the living, especially through the Mass, helps speed their purification and entrance into heaven.