November is the month of the souls: we light a candle for those who are no longer with us, visit the cemetery, and remember them at Mass. This is the complete prayer for the Blessed Souls in Purgatory to Mary, Queen of Purgatory. Below we explain why it is so important to pray it and when to do so.
In this article: the complete prayer · why it is important · when to pray it · Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the souls
Prayer for the Blessed Souls in Purgatory
It is prayed in five petitions to the Virgin, each followed by an Our Father and the “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,” and it ends with a final prayer of trust.
1. For the souls to whom we have an obligation
Mary, Queen of Purgatory, I pray to you for those souls for which I have or may have some obligation, whether of charity or justice.
Hail Mary...
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen.
2. For the most forgotten souls
Mary, Queen of Purgatory: I pray to you for the most abandoned and forgotten souls, whom no one remembers; you, Mother, who remembers them, apply to them the merits of the Passion of Jesus, your merits, and those of the saints, so that they may attain eternal rest.
Hail Mary...
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen.
3. For the souls who will leave sooner
Mary, Queen of Purgatory: I pray to you for those souls who are to leave that place of suffering sooner, so that they may go as soon as possible to sing the eternal mercies of the Lord in your company.
Hail Mary...
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen.
4. For the souls who will be there longer
Mary, Queen of Purgatory: I pray to you in a special way for those souls who are to be there longer, suffering and satisfying divine Justice. Have compassion on them, since they can merit nothing but suffer; shorten their sorrows and pour the balm of your comfort upon these souls.
Hail Mary...
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen.
5. For the souls who suffer the most
Mary, Queen of Purgatory: I pray to you in a special way for those souls who suffer the most. It is true that all suffer with resignation, but their sorrows are terrible and we cannot even imagine them. Intercede, our Mother, for them, and God will hear your prayer.
Hail Mary...
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen.
Final prayer
Most Holy Virgin, I ask you that, just as I remember the blessed souls in Purgatory, the others may remember me if I am to go there to make satisfaction for my sins. In you, my Mother, I place all my trust as a child, and I know that I shall not be disappointed.
Amen.
Why is it so important to pray for the souls in Purgatory
The Church teaches that those who die in God's grace, but still need to be purified, pass through Purgatory before reaching heaven. There they can no longer do anything for themselves: as the prayer itself says, “they can merit nothing, but only suffer.” That is why they depend on us. Praying for them is important for several reasons:
- It is an act of charity that no one else can do for them. Our prayer, the Mass offered, and small sacrifices help them reach heaven sooner. It is the so-called communion of saints: the bond that unites those of us who are here with those who preceded us.
- It is the truest way to continue loving our loved ones. When someone we love dies, we feel that we can no longer do anything for them. Prayer tells us the opposite: we can still care for them.
- No one remembers many of those souls. That is why the prayer asks in a special way for the “most abandoned and forgotten.” Praying for them is the most hidden and generous charity.
- It reminds us of what truly matters. Thinking about eternal life puts the daily rushes and worries in their place, and encourages us to live better.
- They also pray for us. Tradition tells us that the souls we help intercede for those who prayed for them, and the prayer ends by asking for exactly that: that others may remember us when our time comes.
If you want to know more about this tradition, read November, the month of the dead: the origin of this tradition.
When to pray the prayer for the souls
- Throughout November: the month that tradition dedicates to the souls.
- November 2: All Souls' Day.
- Mondays: in many towns in Spain, Monday was dedicated to the souls, and it is still observed in some parishes.
- On the anniversary of a loved one, or whenever you remember someone who has passed away.
You can pray it alone or with your family, in front of a photo of the loved one or with a lit candle. Nothing more is needed.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the souls
In Spanish popular piety, the “Queen of Purgatory” has a name that is very much ours: Our Lady of Mount Carmel. That is why in so many churches she is seen with the souls of Purgatory at her feet. The tradition of the Saturday privilege tells us that the Virgin helps those who have worn her scapular with devotion to leave Purgatory, quickly and especially on the Saturday following their death. We tell you about it in The promise of the scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
That is why the medallion of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the medallion of the souls par excellence. Wearing it, or wearing her scapular, is a beautiful way to unite prayer with what you wear: a daily reminder of those you love, of those who are here, and of those who have already passed away. And it is also a gift with great meaning for someone who has just lost a loved one.
Carry Our Lady of Mount Carmel with you
The most beautiful medallions in the world are at Khartes.
Marian and Bárbara
The most beautiful medallions are at www.khartesmadrid.com. Follow us on Instagram: @khartesmadrid.