Ave Maria Meditations
All Souls Day Prayers
The Prayer of St. Gertrude, below, is one of the most famous of the prayers for souls in purgatory. St. Gertrude the Great was a Benedictine nun and mystic who lived in the 13th century. According to tradition, our Lord promised her that 1000 souls would be released from purgatory each time it is said devoutly.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.
Some Prayers and Collects for the All Souls Feast and the Souls in Purgatory: Collect for the Mass for the dead: [for all our departed brothers and sisters] Merciful Father, hear our prayer and console us. As we renew our faith in Your Son, whom You raised from the dead, strengthen our hope that all our departed brothers and sisters will share in His resurrection, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
Requiem Aeternam: Eternal Rest grant unto them (him/her), O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them (him/her). May they (he/she) rest in peace.
In Latin: Requiem aeternam dona eis (ei), Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis (ei). Requiescant (-at) in pace. Amen.
Benedictine Collect for the Mass of the Dead: We suppliants, O Lord, pour forth our prayers for the souls of Thy servants and handmaids, that Thou wouldst mercifully pardon whatsoever they have committed through human frailty and graciously bring their sufferings to an end. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
Invocation for the Souls in Purgatory: My God, bestow Thy blessings and Thy mercies on all persons and on those souls in Purgatory for whom I am in charity, gratitude, or friendship bound and have the desire to pray. Amen
