On All Souls Day, also known as the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed, we pray for all people who have died. We ask God to bring them to the joyful banquet of heaven to be with God and the saints forever.

We pray for those who, at death, have not been cleansed from venial sins, or have not atoned for past transgressions and cannot attain the beatific vision.

It is a time of prayer to assist the souls from Purgatory to Heaven. Praying for the souls in Purgatory is one of the Spiritual Works of Mercy.  It is us, those on earth, who can pray for these souls.  It is our prayers which help these souls to move from purgatory into Heaven. 

Prayer for All Souls Day

Into your hands, God of mercies, we commend our brothers and sisters in the sure hope that together with all who have died in Christ, they shall rise with him on the last day.

We give thanks for the blessing of life which you bestowed upon them in this life; they are signs of your goodness and our fellowship with the saints in Christ.

Merciful God, turn toward us and listen to our prayers. Open the gates of heaven to your servants and help us to remain a comfort to one another and to carry on in the good work we shared, until we all meet in Christ in your Holy and eternal presence.