Our Father
Every year on November 2, the Catholic Church celebrates the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, known as All Souls’ Day. The day after All Saints, when we celebrate those already in heaven, the Church turns to everyone who has died and prays that they may rest in God’s peace.
Traditionally, the whole month of November is dedicated to praying for the dead. If you’ve lost someone you love, this is a month to remember them before God, and to keep loving them in the one way still open to us: prayer.
Why Catholics pray for the dead
The Catholic Church teaches that those who die in God’s friendship but are not yet fully purified pass through a final purification before entering heaven. This is called purgatory (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1030–1032). It is not a second chance or a punishment for its own sake, but God’s love completing what began in this life, so that we can see Him face to face.
Because the Church is one family, the living and the dead, we can help those being purified by our prayers. The practice is ancient: Christians prayed for the dead in the catacombs, and Scripture records Judas Maccabeus doing the same:
For if he wasn’t expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would be superfluous and idle to pray for the dead. But if he was looking forward to an honorable memorial of gratitude laid up for those who die in godliness, then the thought was holy and godly. 2 Maccabees 12:44–45
Praying for the dead is also a deep comfort to the living. Grief so often feels helpless. Prayer gives that love somewhere to go.
Eternal Rest: the prayer for the dead
This short prayer is the heart of Catholic prayer for the dead. Many people pray it whenever they pass a cemetery or remember someone who has died.
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.
To pray for one person, say “him” or “her” and add their name: Eternal rest grant unto John, O Lord…
Psalm 130 (“Out of the depths”)
For centuries the Church has prayed Psalm 130, known by its Latin name De Profundis, for the dead.
Out of the depths I have cried to you, LORD. Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my petitions. If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, therefore you are feared. I wait for the LORD. My soul waits. I hope in his word. My soul longs for the Lord more than watchmen long for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. Israel, hope in the LORD, for there is loving kindness with the LORD. Abundant redemption is with him. He will redeem Israel from all their sins.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
A prayer for someone you love who has died
Lord Jesus, You wept at the tomb of Your friend Lazarus. You know my grief. I entrust to You [name], whom I love and miss. Forgive whatever was not yet healed in their life, complete in them the work of Your love, and bring them into the light of Your face. Until we meet again, keep us both in Your heart. Eternal rest grant unto [name], O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.
Praying the Rosary for the dead
The Rosary is a beautiful way to pray for the dead, especially in November. You might:
- Offer each decade for a different person who has died: grandparents, friends, those who have no one to pray for them.
- Pray the Glorious Mysteries, which center on the Resurrection and the hope of heaven.
- Add the Eternal Rest prayer after each decade, in place of or after the Fatima Prayer.
If you’re new to it, our step-by-step guide to the Rosary has everything you need.
The All Souls’ indulgence
The Church offers a special gift for the dead in early November: a plenary indulgence, which can be applied only to the souls in purgatory.
- From November 1 to 8, by devoutly visiting a cemetery and praying for the dead, even if only mentally.
- On All Souls’ Day (November 2), by visiting a church or oratory and praying an Our Father and the Creed.
The usual conditions apply: sacramental Confession (within about twenty days before or after), Holy Communion, prayer for the Pope’s intentions (an Our Father and a Hail Mary are customary), and being free of attachment to sin. In some years the Holy See has allowed these days to be spread across the whole of November, so check with your parish or diocese.
Other ways to remember the dead in November
- Have a Mass offered for someone who has died. Ask at your parish office.
- Visit their grave and pray there. Bring flowers or a candle.
- Write their names in your parish’s Book of the Dead, or in your own prayer journal.
- Tell their story to your children or friends. Remembering is a form of love.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25–26
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day?
All Saints’ Day (November 1) celebrates everyone in heaven, known and unknown. All Souls’ Day (November 2) is a day of prayer for all who have died, especially those still being purified before entering heaven.
What prayer do you say on All Souls’ Day?
The most common is the Eternal Rest prayer: “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.” Psalm 130, the Rosary and attending Mass are also traditional.
Do Catholics have to go to Mass on All Souls’ Day?
All Souls’ Day is not a holy day of obligation, but attending Mass is one of the best ways to pray for the dead. Many parishes hold special Masses and remember by name those who died in the past year.
Can I pray for someone who wasn’t Catholic?
Yes. You can pray for anyone who has died and entrust them to God’s mercy. At Mass the Church prays not only for the faithful departed but for all the dead, whose faith God alone has known.
