# The Little office of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Prayers for the Dead

PRAYER ON THE DAY OF DECEASE AND BURIAL
Absolve, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the soul of Thy servant N. that being dead to the world he (or she) ​may live to Thee; and whatever he (or she) has committed through human frailty, do Thou wipe away by the pardon of Thy most merciful goodness. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and r eigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
FOR SEVERAL PERSONS DECEASED
Incline, O Lord, Thine ear to our prayers, in which we humbly beseech Thy mercy; that Thou wouldst place the souls of Thy servants, NN., which Thou hast caused to depart from this world, in the region of peace and light; and unite them in the fellowship of Thy saints. Through Our Lord, etc.
FOR A FATHER DECEASED
O God, Who hast commanded us to honor our father and mother, have compassion, in Thy mercy, on the soul of my father; forgive him his sins, and grant, that we may meet in the joy of eternal bliss. Through Our Lord, etc.
FOR A MOTHER DECEASED
O God, Who hast commanded us to honor our father and mother, have compassion, in Thy mercy, on the soul of my mother; forgive her sins, and grant, that we may meet in the joy of eternal bliss. Through Our Lord, etc.
FOR FATHER AND MOTHER DECEASED
O God, Who hast commanded us to honor our father and mother, have compassion, in Thy mercy, on the souls of my father and mother, and forgive them their sins, and grant that we may meet in the joy of eternal bliss. Through Our Lord, etc.
PRAYER FOR THE THIRD, SEVENTH, OR THIRTIETH DAY AFTER BURIAL
Vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to admit the soul of Thy servant N. the third (seventh or thirtieth) day of whose burial we commemorate, into the fellowship of Thy saints and elect, and sprinkle upon it the perpetual dew of Thy mercy. Through Our Lord, etc.
PRAYER FOR THE ANNIVERSARY OF A BURIAL
O God, the Lord of mercy and pardon, grant to the soul of Thy servant N., the anniversary of whose burial we commemorate, the place of refreshment, the blessedness of rest, and the brightness of light* Through Our Lord, etc.
FOR A BISHOP OR PRIEST
O God, by whose favor Thy servant N. was raised to the dignity of a bishop (or priest), and honored with the apostolic functions, grant, we beseech Thee, that he may be admitted to the eternal society of Thy apostles in heaven. Through Our Lord, etc.
FOR FRIENDS AND BENEFACTORS
O God, bounteous in mercy, and lover of the salvation of mankind, we humbly beseech Thy divine clemency to grant to the brethren of our Congregation, and to our relations and benefactors, who have departed this life, through the intercession of the ever blessed Virgin Mary, and ​of all the saints, that Thou wouldst receive them into Thy company in the fruition of eternal bliss. Through Our Lord, etc.
FOR ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful departed, give to the souls of Thy servants, men and women, the remission of all their sins, that, by pious supplications, they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. Who livest and reignest for ever.
R. Amen.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
R. Amen.
V. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine on them.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.