A Novena for the Dead

DECADE OF THE PASSION

A manner of praying a decade or more of the Rosary for the faithful departed. At least one decade of the Sorrowful Mysteries is prayed with the following prayers. The litany of the dead may be prayed following.

THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES

1.  The Agony in the Garden
2.  Scourging at the Pillar
3.  Crowning with Thorns
4.  Carrying of the Cross
5.  The Crucifixion & Death on the Cross

(Begin with the following invocation)

Lord, open our lips and inflame our hearts and cleanse them of useless and evil thoughts.  Enlighten our minds that we may seriously meditate on Thy suffering and death, and the pains endured by Thy mother.  Hear and receive us before Thy great majesty, who livest and reignest forever and ever.  Amen.

(On the beads of the rosary for the Our Father, say the following)

Oh Most Merciful Jesus, look down with eyes of pity on the faithful souls for whom Thou didst suffer and die on the Cross.

(On the beads of the Hail Mary, say the following)

1.     My Jesus, through Thy bloody sweat in the garden
R. Have mercy on the soul of N.
2.     My Jesus, through the blow Thou didst receive upon Thy Sacred Face
R. Have mercy on the soul of N.
3.     My Jesus, through the cruel scourging Thou didst endure
R. Have mercy on the soul of N.
4.     My Jesus, through the crown of thorns that pierced Thy head
R. Have mercy on the soul of N.
5.     My Jesus, through Thy carrying of the Cross on the path of bitterness
R. Have mercy on the soul of N.
6.     My Jesus, through Thy face covered with blood which Thou didst allow to be imprinted on the veil of Veronica
R. Have mercy on the soul of N.
7.     My Jesus, through Thy bloody garments that were cruelly removed from Thy wounded Body
R. Have mercy on the soul of N.
8.     My Jesus, through Thy Holy Body nailed on the Cross
R. Have mercy on the soul of N.
9.     My Jesus, through Thy Hands and Feet pierced with cruel nails
R. Have mercy on the soul of N.
10.     My Jesus, through Thy Sacred side pierced with the lance and from which flowed blood and water
R. Have mercy on the soul of N.
V.   Eternal rest grand unto her/him O Lord
R. And let perpetual light shine upon her/him
V.   May s/he rest in peace
R. Amen

OFFERING

Most sweet Jesus, who in Your desire to redeem the world, deigned to be born, to be mocked, to fall into the hands of Your enemies through the treacherous kiss of Judas, to be bound and brought to the place of sacrifice like the meek lamb, brought before Caiphas, Pilate, and Herod, spat on, accused and condemned with false witnesses, to be slapped and have Your sacred body covered with wounds from the cruel scourging, to be crowned with thorns, Your face covered with a purple cloth in mockery, stripped of Your garments, nailed and elevated on the cross between two thieves as if You were one of them, offered gall and vinegar to drink, and to be pierced in Your side with a lance, deliver, O Lord, the souls in purgatory from their great sufferings through Your most bitter Passion; bring them to Your glory and deliver us from the pains of hell, through the merits of Your Holy Passion and Death on the Cross, so that we may enter that Kingdom where You brought the good thief who was crucified with You, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever.  Amen.

LITANY FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.
R. Christ, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.
R. Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven,
R. Have mercy on the soul of N.

God the Son, Redeemer of the World,
R. Have mercy on the soul of N.

God the Holy Ghost,
R. Have mercy on the soul of N.

Holy Trinity, One God,
R. Have mercy on the soul of N.

Holy Mary,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

Holy Mother of God,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

Holy Virgin of Virgins,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

St. Michael,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

All ye Angels and Archangels,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

St. John the Baptist,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

St. Joseph,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

St. Peter,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

St. Paul,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

St. John,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

St. Stephen,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

St. Lawrence,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

All ye holy Martyrs,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

St. Gregory,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

St. Ambrose,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

St. Augustine,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

St. Jerome,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

All ye holy Bishops and Confessors,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

All ye holy Monks and Hermits,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

St. Mary Magdalene,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

St. Barbara,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

All holy Virgins and Widows,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

All ye Saints of God,
R. Pray for the soul of N.

Be merciful,
R. Spare him/her, O Lord.

Be merciful,
R. Graciously hear us, O Lord.

From all evil,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

From Thy wrath,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

From the rigor of Thy justice,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

From the power of the devil,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

From the gnawing worm of conscience,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

From enduring sorrow,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

From eternal flames,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

From intolerable cold,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

From everlasting darkness,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

From dreadful weeping and wailing,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy admirable conception,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy Holy Nativity,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy most sweet Name,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy Baptism and Holy Fasting,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy most profound humiliation,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy prompt obedience,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy infinite love,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy bloody sweat,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy sorrow and anguish,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy bonds,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy scourging,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy crowning with thorns,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy carrying of the Cross,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy most cruel death,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy most holy wounds,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy most bitter Cross and Passion,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy Holy Resurrection,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through Thy admirable Ascension,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

Through the coming of the Holy Ghost,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

On the Day of Judgment,
R. O Lord, deliver his/her soul.

We sinners,
R. We beseech Thee, hear us.

Thou who forgavest Magdalene and answered the prayer of the thief,
R. We beseech Thee, hear us.

Thou who dost freely save Thine elect,
R. We beseech Thee, hear us.

Thou who hast the keys of Heaven and hell,
R. We beseech Thee, hear us.

That Thou wouldst be pleased to deliver the souls of our parents, relations, friends, and benefactors from the pains of hell,
R. We beseech Thee, hear us.

That Thou wouldst be pleased to have mercy on those of whom no special remembrance is made on earth,
R. We beseech Thee, hear us.

That Thou wouldst be pleased to grant them all pardon and remission of their sins,
R. We beseech Thee, hear us.

That Thou wouldst be pleased to fulfill all their desires,
R. We beseech Thee, hear us.

That Thou wouldst be pleased to receive them into the company of the blessed,
R. We beseech Thee, hear us.

King of Majesty,
R. We beseech Thee, hear us.

Son of God,
R. We beseech Thee, hear us.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Grant him/her rest.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Grant him/her rest.

Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Grant him/her rest everlasting.

Christ, hear us.
R. Christ, graciously hear us.

Lord, have mercy.
R. Christ, have mercy.

From the gates of hell,
R. Deliver his/her soul, O Lord.

O Lord, hear my prayer,
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.

LET US PRAY

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant unto the soul of Thy departed servant, N., the remission of his/her sins; that through our prayers, he/she may obtain the pardon which he/she hath always desired. Grant this, O God, who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.

O Eternal God, who, besides the general precept of charity, hast commanded a particular respect unto parents, kindred, and benefactors; grant, we beseech Thee, that as they were the instruments by which Thy Providence bestowed upon us our birth, education, and innumerable other blessings, so our prayers may be the means to obtain for him/her a speedy release from his/her sufferings, and free admittance into Thine infinite joys. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

O God, whose nature it is ever to have mercy and to spare, we humbly beseech Thee on behalf of Thy servant, N., whom Thou hast called out of this world. That Thou wouldst not deliver him/her into the hands of the enemy nor forget him/her forever, but command Thy holy angels to lead him/her into paradise, his/her true country. That, forasmuch as in Thee he/she hath put his/her hope and trust, he/she may not endure the pains of hell but may come to the possession of eternal joys. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Be merciful, we implore Thee, O Lord, to the soul of Thy servant, N., for whom we offer unto Thee this sacrifice of praise, humbly beseeching Thy majesty that, by these holy and propitiatory offerings, he/she may be found worthy to win everlasting rest. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the soul of Thy servant, N., which hath departed from this world, may be cleansed by this sacrifice, delivered from sins, and may receive forgiveness and everlasting rest. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Absolve, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant, N., from every stain of sin, so that by Thy aid he/she may escape the judgment of wrath and come to the enjoyment of beatitude in eternal light. Amen.