Requiem Aeternam

Requiem Aeternam

Prayers for our faithful departed with St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia

May the Lord Grant Everlasting Joy (1)

May the Lord open to the faithful departed the gates of paradise so that they may return to that home where there is no more death, but everlasting joy.

A Thought for Reflection

There is not time on earth when people did not have a special remembrance for their beloved departed. The cult of the tombs is as old as death, but Christianity which sanctifies everything, considers this cult venerable, and the remembrance of the departed ones and their need for prayers, a duty. After this sublime teaching, nobody should forget the memory of their departed loved ones. (St. Hannibal Mary)

Prayer for the Dead

Most loving Heart of Jesus, from the bottom of my nothingness, i beg you to extend your infinite mercy to the holy souls in purgatory that they may soon enjoy the beatific vision.

Look, O Jesus, on the tears of the Church, your mystical spouse born from your sacred side on the altar of the cross. She presents to you your own merits and begs you to have mercy on the souls of the departed ones. Amen. (St. Hannibal Mary)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal rest.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord,
And let your perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

Christ Risen and Life (2)

Jesus has died and is risen. Likewise, God will gather together with him those who died with Jesus. As all died in Adam, all will have life again in Christ.

A Thought for Reflection

The souls in purgatory cannot pray for themselves. We can do this for them. If they cannot help themselves, we are obliged to help them. It is a duty and an obligation of charity. The dead are our neighbors not less than when they were still on earth. As our neighbor, we have to be interested in their situation. Our commitment grows when we reflect on the means through which we we can be of assistance to the faithful departed. (St. Hannibal Mary)

Prayer for the Dead

O most loving Jesus, in your presence, I would like to beg for a singular grace, a triumph of your mercy, worthy of that infinite kindness that moved you to come down form heaven on earth, from the bosom of the Father in the manger, from the seat of your glory in the gallows. Free the souls in purgatory make them your everlasting possession, the only and the highest good. May your divine mercy that joys in forgiving, pardon the trespasses of all the souls. Amen. (St. Hannibal Mary)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest.

Eternal rest grant unto the faithful departed, for whom you have shed your precious blood.

Everlasting Life (3)

God so loved the word that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him will not die but may have eternal life. (Jn. 3:16)

A Thought for Reflection

Is it not heartless for a Christian to neglect the souls of the faithful departed who suffer terrible pains, when it is possible to help them?

Think of entering a room of a hospital where there are sick people affected by the most dreadful diseases. Imagine than you have the power to cure them. Will you not be the most merciless man in the world if you will not cure them?

You will be such or even worse, if you neglect the souls in purgatory and will not help them in their sufferings. (St. Hannibal Mary)

Prayer for the Dead

O Lord, I beg you to grant, without delay, eternal salvation to all the elect souls. These I beseech you on the tears you shed at the tomb of Lazarus, on the anguish of your heart at the Garden of Olives and on the cross. Because of these holy mysteries of your love and of your suffering, may all the faithful departed reach paradise. Amen. (St. Hannibal Mary)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal rest.

You who will come to judge the living and the dead: in your mercy Lord, grant them your peace. Amen.

God Will Wipe Every Tear (4)

God will wipe every tear form their eyes and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away. (Rev. 21:4)

A Thought for Reflection

The benefits that we will receive by praying for the souls of the faithful departed are not little. It means drawing for us the protection and mercy of God, who rejoices that his justice is granted in favor of these elected spirits who were already predestined to the glory of paradise. When, in our prayers, we free the souls of the faithful departed, they, themselves, will plead mercy for us in the presence of God. (St. Hannibal Mary)

Prayer for the Dead

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on the holy souls. Lord Jesus, send your holy angels to free and lead in triumph all the souls to everlasting happiness. Do not let anyone be deprived of the beatific vision of your Holy Face. Amen. (St. Hannibal Mary)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal rest.

Lord, you who are the comfort after the fatigue, the life after death, give to the departed souls eternal rest. Amen.

With Mary, the Angels and the Saints (5)

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, said the Spirit, let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them. (Rev. 14, 13)

A Thought for Reflection

Jesus said: "For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with shich you measure will be measured out to you." (Mt. 7:2)

If today we are indifferent, if today we neglect many souls who are waiting for our prayers, we too, might be neglected one day.

Let us take care of our spiritual needs. Time passes away rapidly and death swiftly approaches. Let us remember our ancestors, our relatives and let us help them with our prayers, holy masses, alms and good deeds. (St. Hannibal Mary)

Prayer for the Dead

We offer you Lord Jesus, together with your divine merits, all the merits of your angels and saints, but especially we present the Elect from among the elects, your Mother most holy. Forgive all the trespasses that the souls of the faithful departed have still to atone for.

Do not delay, O Lord. Forgive all their sins, so that they may enjoy the everlasting joy of paradise and that they may bless, praise, thank, love, enjoy, and possess you with the angels and with the saints forever and ever. Amen. (St. Hannibal Mary)

Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal rest.

Let your perpetual light shine upon them, together with your saints, for eternity, O Lord, because you are good. Amen.

Supplemental Prayers

Commendation of the Dying

Who can separate us from the love of Christ? (Rm. 8:35)

Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. (Rm. 14:8)

We have an everlasting home in heaven. (2 Cor. 5:1)

We shall be with the Lord for ever. (1 Th. 4:17)

We shall see God as he really is. (1 Jn. 3:2)

Into your hands, Lord I commend my spirit. (Ps. 31:5)

Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. (Acts 7:59)

Holy Mary, pray for me.

Saint Joseph, pray for me.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.

Reading

A reading from the holy gospel according to John 14:1-7; 27)

Jesus says: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God still, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house; if there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you too may be too. You know the way to the place where I am going."

Thomas said, "Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus said: No one can come to the Father except through me. If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him and make our home with him. Peace I leave with you, my own peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."

The gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.

Litany of the Saints

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for N.

Holy Angels of God, pray for N.

Abraham, our father in faith, pray for N.

David, leader of God's people, pray for N.

All holy patriarchs and prophets, pray for N.

Saint John the Baptist, pray for N.

Saint Joseph, pray for N.

Saint Peter and Saint Paul, pray for N.

Saint Andrew, pray for N.

Saint John, pray for N.

Saint Mary Magdalene, pray for N.

Saint Stephen, pray for N.

Saint Ignatius, pray for N.

Saint Lawrence, pray for N.

Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity, pray for N.

Saint Agnes, pray for N.

Saint Gregory, pray for N.

Saint Augustine, pray for N.

Saint Athanasius, pray for N.

Saint Basil, pray for N.

Saint Martin, pray for N.

Saint Benedict, pray for N.

Saint Francis and Saint Dominic, pray for N.

Saint Francis Xavier, pray for N.

Saint John Vianney, pray for N.

Saint Catherine, pray for N.

Saint Teresa, pray for N.

(other saints may be included here)

All holy men and women, pray for him/her.

Lord, be merciful, Lord, save your people.

From all evil, Lord, save your people.

From every sin, Lord, save your people.

From Satan's power, Lord, save your people.

At the moment of death, Lord, save your people.

From everlasting death, Lord, save your people.

On the day of judgment, Lord, save your people.

By your coming as man, Lord, save your people.

By your suffering and cross, Lord, save your people.

By your death and rising to new life, Lord, save your people.

By your return in glory to the Father, Lord, save your people.

By your gift of the Holy Spirit, Lord, save your people.

By your coming again in glory, Lord, save your people.

Be merciful to us sinners, Lord, save your people.

Bring N. to eternal life, first promised to him/her in baptism, Lord, hear our prayer.

Raise N. on the last day, for he/she has eaten the Bread of Life, Lord, hear our prayer.

Let N. share in your glory, for he/she has shared in your suffering and death, Lord, hear our prayer.

Jesus, Son of the Living God, Lord, hear our prayer.

Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.

Lord Jesus, hear our prayer. Lord Jesus, hear our prayer.

Prayer of Commendation

(When the moment of death seems near, the following prayer may be said)

I commend you, my dear brother/sister N., to Almighty God, and entrust you to your Creator. May you return to him who formed your from the dust of the earth. May holy Mary, the angels and all the saints come to meet you as you go forth from this life. May Christ who was crucified for you bring you freedom and peace. May Christ who died for you admit you into his garden of paradise. May Christ, the true Shepherd, acknowledge you as one of his flock. May he forgive all your sins, and set you among those he has chosen. May you see your Redeemer face to face, and enjoy the beatific vision of God for ever. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen may be recited.

Responsory for the Dead

Do not remember my sins, O Lord. When you come to judge the world by fire.

Direct my way in your sight, O Lord, my God. When you come to judge the world by fire.

Give N., eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on him/her forever. When you come to judge the world by fire.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Our Father...

Let us pray:

Lord, welcome into your presence your son/daughter N., whom you have called from this life. Release him/her from all his/her sins, bless him/her with eternal light and peace, raise him/her up to live for ever with all your saints in the glory of the resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers for the Poor Souls in Purgatory

(By St. Gertrude the Great)

Eternal Father, I offer you the most precious blood of your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

O Lord, hear my prayer. And let my cry come to you.

Let us pray:

God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of your servants the remission of all their sins, that through our sincere prayers they may obtain the pardon they have always desired. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday

Lord God, by the Precious Blood which your divine Son, Jesus, shed in the garden, deliver the souls in Purgatory, especially those souls who are the most forsaken. Bring them into your glory where they may praise and bless you forever. Amen.

Our Father... Hail Mary...

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let your perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen.

Monday

Lord God, by the Precious Blood which your divine Son, Jesus, shed in his cruel scourging, deliver the souls in Purgatory and among them those souls who are nearest to sharing your glory that they may fully praise and bless you forever. Amen.

Our Father... Hail Mary...

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let your perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen.

Tuesday

Lord God, by the Precious Blood of your divine Son, Jesus, which was shed in his bitter crowning with thorns, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and among them those souls who are in greatest need of our prayers, in order that they may not long be delayed in praising you fully in your glory and in blessing you forever. Amen.

Our Father... Hail Mary...

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let your perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen.

Wednesday

Lord God, by the Precious Blood of your divine Son, Jesus, which was shed in the streets of Jerusalem while he carried the Cross, deliver the souls in Purgatory, especially those who are richest in merits in your sight, so that when they have attained the high place to which they are destined, they may praise you triumphantly and bless you forever. Amen.

Our Father... Hail Mary...

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let your perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen.

Thursday

Lord God, by the Precious Body and Blood of your divine Son, Jesus, which on the night before his passion he gave to his beloved Apostles and willed to his holy Church as a perpetual sacrifice and spiritual nourishment, deliver the souls in Purgatory. Most of all deliver all priests, religious, missionaries and all those who were devoted to the mystery of the Eucharist, that they may praise you together with your divine Son and the Holy Spirit in your glory forever. Amen.

Our Father... Hail Mary...

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let your perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen.

Friday

Lord God, by the Precious Blood which Jesus, your divine Son, shed upon the Cross this day, deliver the souls in Purgatory particularly those souls nearest to me and for whom I should pray, that they may come quickly into your glory to praise and bless you forever. Amen

Our Father... Hail Mary...

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let your perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen.

Saturday

Lord God, by the Precious Blood which came forth from the sacred side of your divine Son, Jesus, in the presence and to the great sorrow of His holy Mother, deliver the souls in Purgatory, especially those souls most devoted to this noble Lady, that they may come quickly into your glory, to praise you with her forever. Amen.

Our Father... Hail Mary...

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let your perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace. Amen.

Prayer for a Happy Death

O my good Jesus, I present myself before you with a humble heart filled with sorrow; to you I recommend my final hour and what will follow.

When my eyes, dim and troubled by the approaching death, will fix on you their languid and dying gaze: O merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.

When my cold lips, livid and trembling will utter you most loving name for the last time: O merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.

When my pallid and thin cheeks, will make the bystanders feel pity and dismay: O merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.

When my hair, bathed in the sweat of death, will seem to stiffen on my head to announce the imminent destruction of my body; O merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.

When my ears, soon about to be closed forever to the talks of men, will fear to hear at any moment your voice pronouncing a sentence of condemnation rather than of blessing: O merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.

When my feet, immovable and already incapable of supporting my body, will warn me that my mission in this world is near the end: O merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.

When my imagination, disturbed by gloomy and dreadful specters, will steep me in mortal sadness: O merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.

When my spirit, disturbed by the sight of my iniquities and by the fear of your justice, will contend with the angel of darkness who will strive to take from me the consoling aspect of your mercies and plunge me into despair: O merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.

When my heart, oppressed with the sufferings of illness, will be seized by the horrors of death, and will be a though wounded by a thousand punctures for its efforts against the enemies of my salvation and for its attachment to life: O merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.

When my relatives and friends, gathered about my bed, will feel compassion on my state: O merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.

When the world and the use of my senses will be fading from me: O merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.

When the last tears will fall from my eyes, the sign of impending death, accept them as a sacrifice of expiation. May these tears, made holy by penance, make me die as a victim of this virtue: O merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.

When I will be in the extreme anxieties of my agony and under the labor of death: O merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.

When the last sighs shall compel my soul to leave my body, receive them as a holy impatience to come to you and to obey you: O merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.

When my soul will leave this world forever and leave my body lifeless, pale and cold, accept the disintegration of my body as a homage that I wish to render to your divine majesty: O merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.

When at last my soul will appear alone before you to be judged, and will see for the first time the splendor of your majesty, O merciful Jesus, not only have mercy on me, but also show then, more than at any other time, your mercy towards me.

Concluding Prayer

O God, you have willed to conceal the hour and the moment of our death. Grant that by living all the days of my life in justice and in holiness, I may merit to leave this world in the peace of a good conscience, and die in your love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Novena Prayer for a Beloved Dead (1)

Lord, help us to see death for what it really is: The end of poverty and the beginning of riches; The end of frustration, and the beginning of fulfilment; The end of fear and the beginning of tranquility; The end of pain and the beginning of joy; The end of weakness and the beginning of strength.

Let not grief overwhelm us, or a sense of loss embitter us. But out or our sadness let there arise a new joy for so much given to us. Cast out our fears and let not our hearts be troubled. Let your spirit of peace come alive from our experience and hurt, from our sorrow today and loneliness tomorrow. We humbly commend to you, (N) whom you have called out of this mortal life. You loved him/her always with great love.

Now that you have freed him/her from all evils of this earth bring him/her into your paradise where there is no more grief or mourning or sadness but peace and joy with your Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit forever.

We thank you for all the blessing you have given to (N) in his/her mortal life. We pray that he/she may be able to glorify you with the life that he/she lived and the way he/she made use of your blessings.

Lord God, grant that we may never forget that life is short and uncertain. Let your Spirit guide us in holiness, justice and service to our brothers and sisters.

We pray for the healing of all unhappy feelings that (N)'s death now leaves in our hearts. Be with us, Lord, during our moments of sorrow and loneliness. You are our rock, our fortress and our strength. We trust in you and hope in your glorious resurrection.

Father, we give (N) back to you and as you did not lose him/her in giving him/her to us, so do we not lose him/her by his/her return to you. Not as the world gives, do you give, O Lord. For what you give, you do not take away and what is yours is ours also.

Life is eternal, life is immortal, and death is only a horizon and a horizon is nothing but the limit of our sight. Lift us up, strong Son of God, that we may see further. Cleanse our eyes that we may see clearly. Draw us ever closer to you so that we may be nearer our loved ones who are with you. Prepare for us that happy place, so that where you are, we may also be forever more.

We lift up to you our grief and our sorrow, confident that you will change our mourning into rejoicing and that our beloved (N) now rests in your peace.

Eternal rest grant unto (N), O Lord. And let your perpetual light shine upon him/her.

May he/she rest in peace. Amen.

May the soul of (N) and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Novena Prayer for a Beloved Dead (2)

Let us pray for our dear departed (N):

Most merciful God, we humbly beseech you, on behalf of your son/daughter (N), whom you have called out of this world, not to forget him/her but to bid your holy angels to lead him/her into Paradise, his/her true country; for in as much as in You he/she put his/her hope and trust, grant that he/she may come to the possession of eternal joys.

To you, O Lord, we humbly commend our dear brother/sister (N). In this mortal life, you loved him/her with great love. Now that you have called him/her to a new life, we pray that you fulfil your promise of everlasting life, to those who believe in you. Let him/her dwell in your house of many mansions, dear Lord, where there is no more pain, or grief, or mourning or sadness, but peace and joy with your Son and your Holy Spirit forever.

O God, you overcame death through your only begotten Son, and opened to us the gate of everlasting life. We beg you to welcome our brother/sister (N). Fulfil your promise to him/her whom you have called to yourself. Grant him/her your glory and life through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank you, dear Lord, for what (N) was to all of us - for the privilege of knowing and loving him/her, for learning with him/her and growing with him/her during the years that he/she was with us. Though we will surely miss him/her and need him/her, we accept your Divine will and plan completely. May we, whom he/she has left behind, always remember that we are certain to follow. Let your Holy Spirit lead us through this present journey in holiness and justice.

Grant us the wisdom and the grace to live meaningful lives, and draw us ever closer to you everyday. Help us to realize that it is only through death that we can achieve eternal life, and be united with those who have gone ahead of us, thereafter to come face to face with you, dear Lord.

After we have served you on earth, in communion with your Church, and in perfect charity with all men, may we joyfully come to your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto (N), O Lord. And let your perpetual light shine upon him/her.

May he/she rest in peace. Amen.

May the soul of (N) and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.


I am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in me, even if he dies will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. (John 11:25-26)