Scott P. Richert
Across the country, Memorial Day is too often treated simply as the beginning of summer or, at least, of the vacation season. The elaborate Memorial Day celebrations of years past, which used to be found in every town and city, are now few and far between. Even among those who still observe Memorial Day, its original meaning has often been lost. As Chuck Sweeny, a columnist for the Rockford Register Star, once pointed out in a Memorial Day column, Memorial Day is not meant to honor veterans or those currently serving in the Armed Forces; instead:
It’s the day we honor the memories of the armed forces members who never made it to veteran status because they were killed fighting for their country in wars, police actions, peace-keeping missions or terrorist attacks.
When I was growing up, our entire village would turn out for the Memorial Day parade, which would end at the village cemetery, where a bugler would play taps and the names of all the local men (and boys) who had died in any war would be read aloud. When the ceremony ended, people would spread out through the graveyard, visiting the resting places of friends and loved ones, offering prayers and introducing the young to those who had gone before.
That’s why, to me, Memorial Day always seemed the most Catholic of American holidays. Respect and honor for the dead, and the connection between the body that lies in the ground, awaiting resurrection, and the soul that has gone before it–these are very Catholic themes. And much like All Souls Day (November 2), Memorial Day is a very special time to pray for the souls in Purgatory, especially those who died in the service of our country.
Prayers for Memorial Day
One of the most commonly recited of Catholic prayers in times past, this prayer has fallen into disuse in the last few decades. Prayer for the dead, however, is one of the greatest acts of charity we can perform, to help them during their time in Purgatory, so that they can enter more quickly into the fullness of heaven.
If you are offering the prayer for a particular person, you can substitute “him” or “her” for “them.”
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.
The Church offers us different prayers that we can say every day of the week for the faithful departed. These are especially useful for offering a novena on behalf of the dead, or for praying during those seasons of the year (November, in the Western Church; Lent, in the Eastern Church) designated by the Church as times of fervent prayer for the dead.
The Church offers us different prayers that we can say each day of the week for the faithful departed. These prayers are especially useful for offering a novena on behalf of the dead, or for praying during those seasons of the year (November, in the Western Church; Lent, in the Eastern Church) designated by the Church as times of fervent prayer for the dead.
Sunday:
On Sunday, we offer our prayer for the souls in Purgatory through the Precious Blood of Christ. We remember especially the most forsaken soul in Purgatory—the one who has no one else to pray for him.
Prayer for Sunday: O Lord God omnipotent, I beseech Thee by the Precious Blood, which Thy 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 Thy glory, where it may praise and bless Thee forever. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest, etc.
Monday:
We offer our prayer again through the Precious Blood of Jesus, especially that shed during his scourging, and we remember in a special way today that soul which is closest to leaving Purgatory and entering into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Prayer for Monday: O Lord God omnipotent, I beseech Thee by the Precious Blood which Thy divine Son Jesus shed in His cruel scourging, deliver the souls in purgatory, and among them all, especially that soul which is nearest to its entrance into Thy glory, that it may soon begin to praise and bless Thee forever. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest, etc.
Tuesday:
Christ shed His Precious Blood for us when He was crowned with thorns, and we offer our prayer today through that Blood for the soul in Purgatory that is most in need of our prayers.
Prayer for Tuesday: O Lord God omnipotent, I beseech Thee by the Precious Blood of Thy 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 the greatest need of our prayers, in order that it may not long be delayed in praising Thee in Thy glory and blessing Thee forever. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest, etc.
Wednesday:
Today, we pray in a special way for that soul in Purgatory which has the greatest merit, and we offer our prayer through the Blood that Christ shed when He carried His Cross to Calvary.
Prayer for Wednesday: O Lord God omnipotent, I beseech Thee by the Precious Blood of Thy divine Son Jesus that was shed in the streets of Jerusalem whilst 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 Thy sight, so that, having soon attained the high place in glory to which it is destined, it may praise Thee triumphantly and bless Thee forever. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest, etc.
Thursday:
On Thursdays, we remember Christ’s institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, and so we offer our prayer today through the Body and Blood of Christ. We offer it especially for the soul in Purgatory most devoted to the Eucharist.
Prayer for Thursday: O Lord God omnipotent, I beseech Thee by the Precious Body and Blood of Thy divine Son Jesus, which He Himself on the night before His Passion gave as meat and drink to His beloved Apostles and bequeathed to His Holy Church to be the perpetual Sacrifice and life-giving 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 Thee therefore, together with Thy divine Son and the Holy Spirit in Thy glory forever. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest, etc.
Friday:
Christ died on the Cross on Good Friday, and our prayer today is offered through the Blood He shed on that day. We remember especially that soul for whom we have the greatest obligation to pray—someone we knew who has died and who is in need of our prayers.
Prayer for Friday: O Lord God omnipotent, I beseech Thee by the Precious Blood which Jesus Thy divine Son did 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 which hinders Thee from admitting it quickly to the possession of Thy glory where it may praise Thee and bless Thee for evermore. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest, etc.
Saturday:
As our week of prayer for the faithful departed comes to a close, we offer our prayer today especially for that soul in Purgatory most devoted to Mary, the Mother of God, and we offer it through the Precious Blood that she saw flow from her Son when the spear was thrust into His side on the Cross.
Prayer for Saturday: O Lord God omnipotent, I beseech Thee by the Precious Blood which gushed forth from the sacred Side of Thy 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 most devout to this noble Lady, that it may come quickly into Thy glory, there to praise Thee in her, and her in Thee through all the ages. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest, etc.
Other Prayers for the Dead
Prayer for the Holy 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 negligences, but be mindful of Thy loving mercy, which is from all eternity. Cleanse them of their sins and fulfill their ardent desires that they may be made 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.”
Eternal Memory
Eternal memory. Grant to your servant(s), O Lord, blessed repose and eternal memory.
Used with permission