Requiem Aeternam

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis: requiescant in pace. Amen.

November, the month dedicated to praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, is observed with special love by the Sisters. It is our custom to write out the names of our deceased loved ones and place the list on the altar so that they can be particularly remembered in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the month. Each of the Sisters includes the Holy Souls in her daily prayers for the month and we strive to visit the graves of the faithful departed frequently, especially this first week when plenary indulgences can be gained for the souls in purgatory.

​Prayer for Deceased Benefactors

May it please Thee, O Lord, to reward with eternal life all them who do good to us for Thy Name's sake. Amen.

​Prayer of St. Gertrude for the Holy Souls

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.

A Prayer for Deceased Parents

O God, who hast commanded us to honor our father and our mother, in Thy mercy have pity on the souls of my father and mother and forgive them their trespasses and make me to see them again in the joy of everlasting brightness. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Indulgences for the Holy Souls

Visiting a Church or an Oratory on All Souls Day
A plenary (“full”) indulgence, which is applicable only to the souls in Purgatory is granted to the Christian faithful who devoutly visit a church or an oratory on November 2nd, All Souls Day.

Requirements for Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence on All Souls Day

• Visit a church and pray for souls in Purgatory
• Say one “Our Father” and the “Apostles Creed” in the visit to the church
• Say one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary” for the Holy Father’s intentions 
• Worthily receive Holy Communion (ideally on the same day)
• Make a sacramental confession within 20 days of All Souls Day
• For a plenary indulgence be  free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin (otherwise, the indulgence is partial, not plenary).
• One plenary indulgence can be obtained a day.

Visiting a Cemetery

• A partial indulgence can be obtained by visiting a cemetery and praying for the departed. 
• A plenary indulgence can be obtained by visiting a cemetery each day between 1 November and 8 November.
  
• These indulgences are applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory.

Praying for the Souls in Purgatory
A partial indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, can be obtained when saying the “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen." or " Resquiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis: requiescant in pace. Amen."

~ From the Handbook for Indulgences