Praying in cemeteries, for departed loved ones, especially in November is customary in all Catholic countries. It’s typical for the faithful to visit the graves of relatives and friends on All Saint’s Day (November 1) and/or All Soul’s Day (November 2). Masses are often held in the cemetery. Many people decorate the graves of their loved ones with flowers and place candles to be lighted on the Vigil of All Saint’s Day. The candles then burn through the night. People call them “lights of the Holy Souls.”
The following are prayers that are especially appropriate to recite for the Holy Souls during the month of November.
The Eternal Rest Prayer
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Prayer for Deceased Parents
O God, who hast commanded us to honor our father and mother, in Thy mercy have pity on the souls of my father and mother and forgive them of their trespasses and make me to see them again in the joy of everlasting brightness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for the Poor Souls
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 on those who are most forsaken. Do Thou delivery them from the dire torments they endure. Call them and admit them to Thy most sweet embrace in paradise. Amen.
For the Souls in Purgatory
O Lord, who art ever merciful and bounteous with Thy gifts, look down upon the suffering souls in Purgatory. Remember not their offenses and negligence, but be mindful of Thy loving mercy, which is from all eternity. Cleanse them from their sins and fulfill their ardent desires that they may be worthy to behold Thee face to face in Thy glory. May they soon be united with Thee and hear those blessed words which will call them to their heavenly home:
“Come, blessed of My Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”
Prayers for the Deceased for Every Day of the Week
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto You.
O God, the creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant unto the souls of Your servants and handmaids the remission of all their sins: that through our devout supplications they may obtain the pardon they have always desired. Who lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.
SUNDAY: O Lord God omnipotent, I ask You by the Precious Blood, which Your Divine Son, Jesus, shed in the Garden, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and especially that one which is the most forsaken of all, and bring it into Your glory, where it may praise and bless You forever. Amen
MONDAY: O Lord God omnipotent, I ask You by the Precious Blood, which Your Divine Son, Jesus, shed in cruel scourging, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and among them all, especially that soul, which is nearest to its entrance into Your glory, that it may soon praise You and bless You forever. Amen.
TUESDAY: O Lord God omnipotent, I ask You by the Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, that was shed in His bitter crowning with thorns, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and among them all, particularly that soul which is in greatest need of our prayers. in order that it may not long be delayed in praising You in Your glory and blessing You forever, Amen.
WEDNESDAY: O Lord God omnipotent, I ask You by the Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, that was shed in the streets of Jerusalem while He carried on His sacred shoulders the heavy burden of the Cross, deliver the souls in Purgatory and especially that one which is richest in merits in Your sight, so that having soon attained the high place in glory to which it is destined, it may praise You triumphantly and bless You forever. Amen.
Thursday: O Lord God omnipotent, I ask You by the Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, which He Himself on the night before His passion gave as food and drink to His beloved Apostles and bequeathed to his holy church the perpetual Sacrifice and life-fiving nourishment of His faithful people, deliver the souls in Purgatory, but most of all, that soul which was most devoted to this mystery of infinite love, in order that it may praise You together with Your divine Son and the Holy Spirit in Your glory forever. Amen.
FRIDAY: O Lord God omnipotent, I ask You by the Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, Your Divine Son, shed this day upon the tree of the Cross, especially from His sacred hands and feet, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and particularly that soul for whom I am most bound to pray, in order that i may not be the cause of which hinders You from admitting it quickly to the possession of Your glory where it may praise You forever more. Amen.
SATURDAY: O Lord God omnipotent, I ask You by the Precious Blood gushed forth from the sacred side of Your Divine Son, Jesus, in the presence and to the great sorrow of His most holy Mother, deliver the souls in Purgatory and among them all especially that soul which has been devout to the noble Lady, that it may come quickly into Your glory, there to praise You in Her and her in You through all the ages. Amen.
Our Father … Hail Mary … Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. And may their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
