MONTH of THE HOLY SOULS
The Catholic Church dedicates the entire month of November to praying in a special way for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. The Holy Souls (also called the Faithful Departed) are members of the Church who await the purification of their souls before joining the saints in heaven for all eternity. Specifically, they are referred to as the Church Suffering (the saints in heaven are the Church Triumphant, and the faithful on earth are the Church Militant).The poor souls in purgatory cannot pray for themselves or do anything to hasten their entrance into heaven, but we can and ought to pray for them as an act of charity. The feast of the Holy Souls is November 2nd.
PRAYER
Christ Jesus, Lord of life and Redeemer of the world, grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed. Let my relatives and friends whom you have called from this life attain their eternal home. Reward our departed benefactors with eternal blessedness. Grant your departed priests and religious the recompense for their work in your vineyard. O Lord, receive into your peace the souls of our brothers and sisters who labored for peace and justice on earth. Accept the sacrifices of those who gave their lives out of love for you and their fellow human beings. Look with mercy on all who showed good will to others, and grant them the peace they deserve. O Lord, through the bloody sweat which you suffered in the garden of Gethsemani; through the pains which you suffered while carrying your Cross to Calvary; through the pains which you suffered in your most painful crowning with thorns; through the pains which you suffered during your most cruel Crucifixion; through the pains which you suffered in your most bitter agony on the Cross; through the immense pain which you suffered in breathing forth your blessed soul; grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed.
Christ Jesus, Lord of life and Redeemer of the world, grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed. Let my relatives and friends whom you have called from this life attain their eternal home. Reward our departed benefactors with eternal blessedness. Grant your departed priests and religious the recompense for their work in your vineyard. O Lord, receive into your peace the souls of our brothers and sisters who labored for peace and justice on earth. Accept the sacrifices of those who gave their lives out of love for you and their fellow human beings. Look with mercy on all who showed good will to others, and grant them the peace they deserve. O Lord, through the bloody sweat which you suffered in the garden of Gethsemani; through the pains which you suffered while carrying your Cross to Calvary; through the pains which you suffered in your most painful crowning with thorns; through the pains which you suffered during your most cruel Crucifixion; through the pains which you suffered in your most bitter agony on the Cross; through the immense pain which you suffered in breathing forth your blessed soul; grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed.