Daily Prayer For The Holy Souls

Immortal God, holy Lord,
Father and Protector of all You have created,
we raise our hearts to You today for those
who have passed out of this mortal life.

In Your loving mercy, Father of all,
be pleased to receive them in Your heavenly company,
and forgive the failings and faults
they may have done from human frailty.

Your only Son, Christ, our Saviour,
suffered so cruelly that
He might deliver them from the second death.
By his merits may they share in the glory
of His victory over sin and death.

For all the faithful who have died we pray,
but in particular for those dear to us,
parents, relatives and friends.
nor do we forget all who did good to us while on earth,
who helped us by their prayers, sacrifice and example.
We pray also for any who may have done us harm,
and stand in special need of Your forgiveness.

May the merits and prayers of our Virgin Mother,
Mary, and those of all the Angels and Saints,
speak for us and assist them now.
This we ask in Christ’s name.

Amen.

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Where did this prayer come from? Daily Prayer For The Holy Souls

The Daily Prayer for the Holy Souls is a Catholic prayer that seeks to offer comfort to the souls in Purgatory, who are undergoing purification before entering Heaven. The practice of praying for the dead dates back to the early Christian era, and the Catholic Church has always emphasized the importance of praying for the souls of the departed.

The prayer is believed to have originated in the 18th century with the Carmelite Order in Portugal. The Carmelite nuns in the town of Funchal on the island of Madeira developed a devotion to the Holy Souls and began offering prayers for them. The prayer gained popularity in Portugal and soon spread throughout the Catholic world.

The prayer is typically recited daily and can be offered for any soul in Purgatory. The prayer is simple in form but powerful in its intentions, asking God to have mercy on the souls of the departed and to grant them eternal rest. The prayer is also believed to benefit the living by promoting spiritual growth and increasing their devotion to God.

Today, the Daily Prayer for the Holy Souls remains an important part of Catholic tradition and is offered by countless Catholics around the world. The prayer is often recited during Mass or during private devotional time, and is viewed as a way to express gratitude for the blessings of life while also offering comfort to those who have gone before us.