Novena for the Dead
Prayers for the Faithful Departed
Praying for the dead is one of the spiritual works of mercy. The Church teaches that our prayers can help the souls in Purgatory who are being purified before entering heaven. This novena is traditionally prayed after the death of a loved one, during November (the Month of the Holy Souls), or on the anniversary of a death.
When we pray for the dead, we participate in the Communion of Saints—the bond of love that unites the Church on earth, the souls in Purgatory, and the saints in heaven.
"It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins." — 2 Maccabees 12:46
Novena for the Dead - Daily Prayers
Opening Prayer (Each Day)
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Your servants departed the remission of all their sins, that through our devout prayers they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired.
We ask this especially for the soul of:
(Name your deceased loved one)
Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Eternal Rest Prayer
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
De Profundis (Psalm 130)
This psalm has been prayed for the dead since ancient times:
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.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
Prayer to St. Joseph for the Dying and Dead
O Blessed Joseph, who yielded up your last breath in the arms of Jesus and Mary, obtain for me this grace, that I may breathe forth my soul in praise, saying in spirit, if I am unable to do so in words: "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul."
And for the soul of (name), who has gone before us, obtain the grace of a merciful judgment and swift entrance into the joy of heaven. Amen.
St. Joseph, Patron of a Happy Death, pray for us and for the souls in Purgatory.
When to Pray This Novena
- After a death — Begin the day of death or the day of burial
- November — The Month of the Holy Souls (especially Nov 1-9)
- Anniversary of death — Remember loved ones each year
- All Souls Day — November 2
- Any time — The holy souls always need our prayers
Other Ways to Help the Holy Souls
- Have Masses offered — The Mass is the most powerful prayer for the dead
- Offer indulgences — Apply plenary indulgences for the souls in Purgatory
- Visit cemeteries — Pray at the graves of the faithful departed
- Pray the Rosary — Offer decades for deceased loved ones
- Offer your sufferings — Unite your daily crosses to Christ's sacrifice for the souls
- Practice the Works of Mercy — Especially burying the dead and praying for them
What the Church Teaches About Purgatory
The Catholic Church teaches that Purgatory is a state of purification for those who die in God's grace but still need to be cleansed of venial sins or the temporal effects of forgiven sins. It is not a "second chance" but a final preparation for heaven.
The souls in Purgatory cannot help themselves, but they can be helped by our prayers, sacrifices, and especially by the Holy Mass offered for their intentions. This is why praying for the dead is such an important act of charity.
"Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, for the hand of the Lord has struck me."
— Job 19:21 (Traditional plea of the Holy Souls)