Monday, April 22, 2013

a prayer for the dead

Almighty God, Father of goodness and love,
have mercy on the poor suffering souls, and grant Thine
aid:

To my dear parents and ancestors;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To my brothers and sisters and other near relatives;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To my benefactors, spiritual and temporal;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To my former friends and subjects;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To all for whom love or  duty bids me pray;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who have suffered disadvantage or harm through me;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who have offended me;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To all those who are especially beloved by Thee;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those whose release is at hand;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who desire most to be united with Thee;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who endure the greatest suffering;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those whose release is most remote;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who are least remembered;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who are most deserving
on account of their services to the Church;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the rich, who now are the most destitute;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the mighty, who now are as lowly servants;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.
To the blind, who now see their folly;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the frivolous, who spent their  time in idleness;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the poor, who did not seek the treasures of Heaven;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the tepid,
who devoted little time to prayer;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the indolent,
who were negligent in performing good works;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those of little faith,
who neglected the frequent reception of the Sacraments;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the habitual sinners,
who owe their salvation to a miracle  of grace;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To parents who failed to watch over their children;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To superiors who were not solicitous
for the salvation of those entrusted to them;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the souls of those who strove
for hardly anything but riches and pleasures;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the worldly-minded,
who failed to use their wealth
and talents in the service of God;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who witnessed the death of others,
but would not think of their own;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who did not provide for the great journey beyond,
and the days of tribulation;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those whose judgment is so severe
because of the great things entrusted to them;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the popes, rulers, kings and princes;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the bishops and their counselors;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To my teachers and spiritual advisors;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the deceased priests of this diocese;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To all the priests and religious of the whole
Church;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To the defenders of the Holy Faith;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who died on the battlefield;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who are buried in the sea;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who died of stroke or heart attack;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who died without the last rites of the Church;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To those who shall die within the next twenty-four hours;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

To my own poor soul when I shall have to appear
before Thy judgment seat;
Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy.

V. O Lord, grant eternal rest to all the souls of the
faithful departed,
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.

V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.