November Prayers for the Dead
In the month of November, the Church traditionally remembers things involved with the end: the end of our lives, the end of time, the second coming of Christ, the four last things (death, judgment, heaven, hell). We begin with All Saints Day and All Souls Day, then conclude with the Solemnity of Christ the King and the beginning of the season of Advent, a time of special preparation for Jesus’ return in glory. It’s a great month to remember what really matters in life: our eternal destiny and that of those around us.
Keeping with this theme, praying for the dead is an important tradition in November as well. Those who die in a perfect relationship with God will immediately experience the glory of God in heaven. But those who are not yet perfect (or in other words, are still holding on to some attachments to things that aren’t God) when they die will go to heaven, but through the purifying sufferings of purgatory. It’s in purgatory that the soul is made perfect so that it can behold the glorious beauty of our God.
Our prayers, works, joys, and sufferings, when offered up for these holy souls in purgatory, can become means through which God can “speed up,” if you will, this purifying process in purgatory. In other words, we can offer these things up to their benefit. (There’s more on how this is possible below.)
With this in mind, below you’ll find the prayers for the holy souls in purgatory corresponding to each day in November. We encourage you to add these prayers as part of your spiritual routine in November, and consider keeping those in purgatory in your prayers all year round, for the benefit of our brothers and sisters in purgatory.
How Can Our Prayers Benefit Our Brothers and Sisters in Purgatory?
Jesus Christ, in His suffering, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension (called the Paschal mystery), destroyed death and opened up the way for eternal life to those who follow Him. His sacrifice is the all-sufficient sacrifice that obliterated our sins, restored our fallen human nature to a state more glorious than before Adam’s sin, and gave us the opportunity to have eternal life with God in heaven.
But St. Paul gives us something interesting to think about in Colossians 1:24. “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,” he writes, “and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church.” If Jesus’ sacrifice was the ultimate sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, how does this make any sense?
Here we must remember how the Church views the Paschal mystery. Although Jesus’ sacrifice was substitutionary (he took on our punishment), it’s so much more than that: it’s participatory. We don’t simply remember the extreme love of Christ that landed Him on the cross and gives us salvation. We participate in the Paschal mystery with Christ! Consider how many times St. Paul says in the New Testament that if we’ve died with Christ, we will rise with Him. Our lives are bound up with that of Christ, who united us to Himself in Baptism. This makes it possible for all our prayers, works, joys, and suffering to be offered with Christ in his ultimate sacrifice to the Father on the cross. It’s through offering our lives as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) that we die with Christ so as to rise with Him to the glory of the resurrection in heaven.
This offering takes place in a special way through the sacraments, which are unique participations in the Paschal mystery. Consider how St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:16 that “the cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” If we are participating in His Body and Blood, are we not participating in what this Body and Blood did? Our sufferings, inconveniences, prayers, joys, and works can be offered in the Mass, with Jesus on the cross, for the salvation of the world. For more information on this, especially concerning the Eucharist, look up Dr. Scott Hahn’s talk The Fourth Cup on YouTube.
So this brings us back to praying for the dead. These prayers are not just pious thoughts concerning the afterlife or our departed brethren. When offered with Jesus, they become a means through which God the Father can unleash the power of the Paschal mystery. These prayers, or perhaps fasting or almsgiving as well, offered as a sacrifice for their sake provides an opportunity for Christ’s grace to speed them on to their goal of heaven.
Daily Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved Dead
Imprimi Potest: Very Rev. Paul James Francis – Father General, S.A.
Nihil Obstat: Arthur J. Scanlan, S.T.D. – Censor Librorum
Imprimatur: † Patrick Cardinal Hayes – Archbishop, New York
De Profundis
Out of the depths, I have cried to Thee, O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
If thou, O Lord, shalt mark my iniquities O Lord, who shall stand it?
For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of Thy law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relief on His word; my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until night; let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy; and with Him plenteous redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen.
Day 1
During this month are foremost thought is to recall to mind our beloved dead. We shall think of you, pray with you, labor with you, and shall give to the poor for the repose of your soul, that portion of the fruits of our daily labors which was formally yours.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of the faithful departed the full remission of all their sins, that through the help of pious supplications they may obtain that pardon which they have always desired, who livest and reignest world without end.
Amen.
Day 2
Is not the memory of the dead sweet to the heart, and is it not truly consoling to gather about us in thought the family dispersed by death?
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
Most compassionate Jesus, have mercy on the souls in Purgatory, for whose redemption thou didst take upon myself the nature of mankind and die an ignominious death. Mercifully hear their pleadings – look with pity on the tears which they now shed before Thee and by virtue of their passion release them from the pain due unto their sins. Most pitiful Jesus, let Thy Precious Blood flow down into Purgatory and refresh and revive the captive souls suffering there. Stretch out unto them Thy strong right hand, and lead them to a place of refreshment, light, and peace.
Amen.
Day 3
The souls of the Just do not leave us; if we desire it they still remain with us, affording us and indescribable but very effective solace. Let us recall them frequently by our prayers, by our aspirations, and by our good works which will help them and will help us to gain Heaven.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
Most compassionate Jesus! Thou art our salvation, our life, and our resurrection. We implore Thee, therefore, do not forsake us in our needs and afflictions, but by the agony of thy most Sacred Heart, and by the sorrows of thy Immaculate Mother, succor Thy servants, whom Thou hast redeemed by Thy most precious Blood.
Amen.
Day 4
Death separates us; it breaks the earthly tie which binds this one to the other, but it cannot break the spiritual tie which unites one soul to another – one heart to another.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
O, Lord Jesus Christ, by the merits of Thy Precious Blood, deign to succor and release the Souls in Purgatory, particularly the soul that is most abandoned. Place it today in Heaven that in union with the Angels and Thy Blessed Mother, it may praise Thee forever.
Amen.
Day 5
In consideration of our future prayers, God deigns to grant to a dying sinner good dispositions which secure him the salvation of his soul.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
O my God, I offer Thee the Blood shed by Thine only begotten Son on Calvary; the sorrows of His Blessed Mother, for the remission of our sins, the deliverance of the Souls in Purgatory, for Holy Mother Church and for the forgiveness of sinners.
Amen.
Day 6
The Souls in Purgatory are powerless to help themselves. They cannot do penance, nor offer satisfaction, nor gain indulgences, nor receive the Sacraments. They cannot pray for themselves. We, who are still on earth, can share with them the Graces which God so generously and abundantly gives us.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
Most beloved Jesus, by the merits of Thy five wounds, here the pleas and released from the torments of Purgatory the faithful soul that did the most good on earth. Place it today at Thy heavenly throne that it may join in honoring Thee and guiding me to live according to its dictates.
Amen.
Day 7
The Souls in Purgatory appreciate the things of God more fully than we. Enlightened by divine love, they understand the respect and obedience which God merited for them, and the ingratitude and baseness of their sins.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
O Lord Jesus Christ, whose adorable Heart sighs for the love and happiness of Thy banished children, we beseech Thee to remember the souls of Thy servants for whom we pray. Command them, we beg of Thee, to be received by Thy holy Angels and with them enjoy eternal happiness and glory in Heaven.
Amen.
Day 8
Despite the sorrowful farewells and vows of undying remembrance, the dead are all too soon universally forgotten. “Forgotten as all my life, which never a word recalls; forgotten is my name which no one utters; forgotten is my tomb, which no one visits; forgotten is my death, which no one mourns.”
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
O God, who has commanded us to honor our father and our mother, in Thy loving kindness have mercy on the souls of my parents. Forgive them their sins, and grant that I may see them face-to-face amid the joys of life everlasting. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Day 9
The just die members of the Church and so continue. They remain united with us as well as with God by faith, hope, and charity. Therefore we should assist them as one member assists another.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
O Lord Jesus Christ, by Thy terrible agony in the Garden, we beseech Thee to have pity on the Souls in Purgatory, particularly the soul who has the most to suffer through us. Deliver it from the torments, that it may join the Heavenly throng in forever glorifying Thee.
Amen.
Day 10
The soul that we release from Purgatory is under a particular obligation to us, both because of the singular benefit it receives from entering all the sooner into the glory, and also because of the terrible sufferings from which it is delivered. Thus it is bound to obtain for its benefactors perpetual graces and blessings.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
O Lord Jesus, by the merits of the sorrows of Thy Virgin Mother, release from Purgatory the soul that is dearest to Thee. Place it today in Heaven, that in union with the Angels and Thy Blessed Mother it may forever praise Thee.
Amen.
Day 11
St. Francis De Sales tells us: “Devotion to the Souls in Purgatory contains in itself all the works of mercy, which supernaturalized by a spirit of Faith, should merit us Heaven.”
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
O Lord Jesus Christ, deliver the souls of the faithful departed from the flames of hell, and let Thine angels bring them into the holy light. We offer Thee, O Lord, a sacrifice of prayer and praise, accept them in behalf of all the Souls in Purgatory, that they may pass from death to life everlasting with Thee in Heaven.
Amen.
Day 12
They are not strangers who implore our help – they are our own; our parents, brothers, and friends. They are the devoted hearts who loved us so tenderly and for us so earnestly toiled and suffered. Now that they are gone from our midst, does not our heart reproach us for not having sufficiently shown our affection in the past?
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
O Lord Jesus Christ, have compassion on Thy Church suffering. Temper Thy justice with pity and open the gates of Heaven for the Souls in Purgatory, that they may praise and glorify Thee forever.
Amen.
Day 13
St. Ambrose tells us: “All that we give through charity to the Souls in Purgatory is changed into grace for us, and after our death we will find the merit of it increased a hundredfold.”
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
O Lord Jesus Christ, grant to the souls of the faithful departed, the full remission of their sins. Be mindful, most merciful Savior, of that Soul in Purgatory who was most devoted to Thee in the Holy Eucharist. Shorten the moment of his deliverance, that he may glorify Thee, and aid me in my journey toward eternity.
Amen.
Day 14
Prayers for the Faithful departed far more acceptable to God than prayers for the living: for the suffering souls are in the greatest need and cannot help themselves.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
O Lord Jesus, shower down on us Thy divine graces and blessings. Unite our will to Thine, and make our prayers for acceptable to Thee, and more beneficial to the Souls in Purgatory who cry out, have pity on me for the hand of God has touched me.
Amen.
Day 15
Death cannot destroy the affection your loved ones bore for you in life, but that affection is now sweeter, purer, more constant. United with God in Heaven, are offering atonement to Him in Purgatory, they love us with a deeper, everlasting love.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
O Lord Jesus, deign to hearken to the voice of the Souls in Purgatory. Grant them remission of their sins because of the love they bore Thee, and bring them with Thee to heaven, that they may forever praise Thee.
Amen.
Day 16
St. Paul, in his Epistle to the Corinthians tells us, “Every man’s work shall be manifest; for the day of the Lord shall declare it, because it shall be revealed in fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide, which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work burn, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.”
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
O Lord Jesus, have mercy on the Souls in Purgatory who suffer because of some slight human frailty. Deliver them from their agonies, that they may forever praise and glorify the in Heaven.
Amen.
Day 17
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” When we stand before God in the hour of judgment, will we not welcome the Holy Souls who will throng about His thrown to plead our cause, if we have shown ourselves merciful and compassionate toward them in their hour of need?
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
O Lord Jesus Christ, relieve the sufferings of Thy departed servants, that they may not languish in Purgatory because of our neglect and thoughtlessness. Deliver them from their pains that they may praise Thee forever in Heaven and intercede for us when the hour of death draws near.
Amen.
Day 18
Your loved one, whom God has called to Himself, does not cease to cherish you. Purified in Purgatory, made more loving by union with God, he continues to be with more light and strength, all that he was to you on earth.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
Mother of Mercy, thy power is so great that thy Divine Son will refuse Thee nothing. Implore Him, therefore, to release from the pains of Purgatory, our parents, friends, and benefactors, that they may join the Heavenly Chorus in praising Him and in interceding for us.
Amen.
Day 19
“We have loved her during life, let us not abandon her until we have conducted her by our prayers in the House of the Lord.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
O Lord Jesus, graciously hear the pleas of the Holy Souls. By the merits of Thy Passion and Death released them from the pains of Purgatory. Particularly the soul most devoted to Your Virgin Mother, that he may evermore praise Thee in Heaven and intercede for me.
Amen.
Day 20
He whom we mourn is in Heaven, safe from all miseries and he awaits us.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
Most merciful Jesus, by the merits of Thy five wounds, hear our prayers in behalf of the faithful departed now awaiting Thy word in Purgatory. Grant, O Lord, to show particular mercy to the soul that did most to propagate the devotion to Thy Sacred Heart while on earth. Speed his journey to Heaven, that he may join Thy Angels in praising Thee forever.
Amen.
Day 21
To find ourselves forgotten on earth by those whom we love and who have loved us is a cruel trial – but to find ourselves in Purgatory – forgotten by all whom we loved and helped on earth must be a most painful sorrow.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
O my God, infinitely just, hear our prayers in reparation for the souls suffering in Purgatory for want of charity. Release them from their pains that they may evermore praise Thee and intercede at Thy Judgment Seat for us at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Day 22
Let us never cease our prayers for the faithful departed. St. Francis De Sales often said: “I fear the good opinion which my friends have formed of me: they well believe me in heaven and leave me to suffer.”
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
Most merciful Jesus, have mercy on the Souls in Purgatory. For us, Thou didst become Man and suffer to die. By the merits of Thy agony and death, release the faithful departed from their pains, that they may enjoy everlasting bliss in Heaven.
Amen.
Day 23
When, by our prayers, we release a soul from Purgatory, we have not only won his gratitude, but the gratitude of his Guardian Angel, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom is soul was consecrated, and of God Himself who was enabled through us to sooner shower His blessings on it.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
Most beloved Jesus, if I could but say: “There is a soul in Heaven at this time that owes to me its release from Purgatory, a soul that speaks to God for me, that glorifies God for me, that loves Thy Blessed Mother for me. If it were thus how happy I should be.” Release from the pains of Purgatory the soul careless and hurried in prayer. Take him to the joys of heaven, that he may evermore praise Thee and intercede for me at the hour of need.
Amen.
Day 24
If we deliver a soul from Purgatory, what a joy it is to be able to say to oneself: “A holy soul truly loves God for me and in my name.” We create protectors and all the souls for whom we pray, even though we have not yet obtained their deliverance.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
Most merciful Jesus, whose loving Heart was ever burdened with the sorrows of others, look down with pity on the souls of our beloved ones in Purgatory. Hear their cries, and grant that they may soon enjoy everlasting rest with Thee in heaven.
Amen.
Day 25
One of the saddest facts of life is that the living so soon forget the dead. We forget when we live: we are forgotten when we die. St. Monica, on her deathbed, pleaded with her son, St. Augustine: “Lay my body anywhere, only this I beg of you: remember me at the Altar of God.”
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
Most merciful Jesus, lover of Souls. We pray Thee, by the agony of Thy most Sacred Heart, and by the sorrows of Thy Immaculate Mother, wash with Thy Blood the Souls in Purgatory. Deliver them from their pains, that they may join the Heavenly Chorus in praising Thee and interceding for us at the hour of need.
Amen.
Day 26
It costs us very little to help the faithful departed. We are obliged to pray – to assist at Mass, to receive the sacraments – to give alms, and too fast on the days appointed. We are in the state of grace, and offer these works for the Holy Souls, they are acceptable to God and speed their relief.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
Most merciful Jesus, release the Souls in Purgatory from the results of their imperfections, especially the soul suffering there through my bad example. Take him today to Thy Heavenly Throne, that he may join the Saints in praise of Thee and will intercede for me in my hour of need.
Amen.
Day 27
Let us accept without a murmur all that God sends us. Every morning let us offer God in behalf of the Souls in Purgatory all our prayers and good works and we shall help them immeasurably.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
Most merciful Jesus, by the merits of Thy Holy Childhood, deliver from the pains of Purgatory all the Holy Souls, particularly the soul longest in paying the debt exacted for his imperfections on earth. Take him today to Paradise that he may join the Heavenly Choir in praising Thee and will intercede for me in the hour of need.
Amen.
Day 28
In Purgatory, the just and loving soul loses sight of everything but the purity of God, which it loves and the necessity of making itself worthy of this purity. This suffering is so intense, because it is ignorant of the length of its exile from the sight of God.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
Jesus, meek and humble of Heart, hear our prayers in behalf of the souls suffering in Purgatory, particularly those paying the debt exacted for pride. Release them from their pain today, that they may evermore glorify Thee in Heaven and intercede for us in the hour of need.
Amen.
Day 29
We must never cease to interest ourselves in the Souls in Purgatory. The honor and glory of God, and our own salvation is concerned with their release.
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
Most merciful Jesus, by Thy Nativity and Holy Childhood, deliver from Purgatory all the Holy Souls confined there. Particularly the soul of the youngest to incur Thy displeasure because of youthful carelessness. Take him today to Thy Heavenly Throne, that he may evermore praise and glorify Thee and well intercede for me at the hour of need.
Amen.
Day 30
Prayer directly offered for the Soul in Purgatory is the petition of a child beseeching God to be kind and merciful. Could such a prayer, offered from the heart, fail to move God?
Prayer: Our Father, three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis
Most gentle Heart of Jesus, ever-present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor, captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on the souls of the Faithful Departed. Be not severe in Thy judgments, but let some drops of Thy Precious Blood fall upon the devouring flames and do Thou, O merciful Savior send Thy Angels to conduct them to a place of refreshment, light, and peace.
Amen.