Litany for the Faithful Departed
Pray for the faithful departed with this traditional Catholic Litany for the souls in Purgatory, gain indulgences, and participate in a timeless devotion aiding their holy repose.
Litany for the Faithful Departed
For Private Devotion
St. Philip Neri and the Poor Souls
St. Philip Neri had a very tender devotion for the souls in purgatory. His great attraction was to pray for those whose consciences he had directed during life. In his opinion, a father’s charity ought to follow them to eternity, because real charity, says St. Paul, never falleth away. He avowed that many of his spiritual children appeared to him after their death, to request his prayers or to thank him for those he had said in their favor.
We are also assured by him that he obtained by the aid of these poor souls many graces. He himself appeared to a holy Religious, crowned with glory in the midst of a beautiful procession. The Religious, encouraged by the friendly and meek air with which the saint regarded him, asked who were the happy beings that surrounded him. St. Philip answered they were the souls whom he had helped during his life in this world, and who had been delivered from purgatory by prayers. He added that they had met him at death and introduced him into the kingdom of the blessed.
Source: Rev. F. X. Lasance, Blessed Sacrament Book (New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1913).
Invocation
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
Supplications to God
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on the souls of the faithful departed.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on the souls of the faithful departed.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on the souls of the faithful departed.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on the souls of the faithful departed.
Invocations to the Saints
Holy Mary, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
Holy Mother of God, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
St. Michael, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
All ye angels and archangels, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
All ye orders of blessed spirits, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
St. John the Baptist, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
St. Joseph, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
All ye holy patriarchs and prophets, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
St. Peter, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
St. Paul, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
St. John, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
All ye holy apostles and evangelists, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
St. Stephen, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
St. Lawrence, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
All ye holy martyrs, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
St. Gregory, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
St. Ambrose, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
St. Augustine, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
St. Jerome, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
All ye holy bishops and confessors, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
All ye holy doctors, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
All ye holy priests and Levites, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
All ye holy monks and hermits, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
St. Mary Magdalen, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
St. Catherine, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
St. Barbara, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
All ye holy virgins and widows, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
All ye saints of God, pray for the souls of the faithful departed.
Be merciful, spare them O Lord.
Be merciful, graciously hear us, O Lord.
O Lord, deliver them
From all evil, O Lord, deliver them.
From Thy wrath, O Lord, deliver them.
From the rigor of Thy justice, O Lord, deliver them.
From the power of the devil, O Lord, deliver them.
From the gnawing worm of conscience, O Lord, deliver them.
From long-enduring sorrow, O Lord, deliver them.
From eternal flames, O Lord, deliver them.
From intolerable cold, O Lord, deliver them.
From horrible darkness, O Lord, deliver them.
From dreadful weeping and wailing, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thine admirable conception, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thy holy Nativity, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thy most sweet name, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thy baptism and holy fasting, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thy most profound humiliation, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thy prompt obedience, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thine infinite love, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thy sorrow and anguish, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thy bloody sweat, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thy bonds, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thy scourging, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thy crowning with thorns, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thy carrying of the cross, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thy most cruel death, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thy five most holy wounds, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thy most bitter cross and passion, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thy holy Resurrection, O Lord, deliver them.
Through Thine admirable Ascension, O Lord, deliver them.
Through the coming of the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, O Lord, deliver them.
In the day of judgment, O Lord, deliver them.
We beseech Thee, hear us
We sinners, We beseech Thee, hear us.
Thou Who forgavest Magdalen and didst hearken to the prayer of the thief, We beseech Thee, hear us.
Thou Who savest freely Thine elect, We beseech Thee, hear us.
Thou Who hast the keys of death and hell, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst be pleased to deliver the souls of our parents, relations, friends, and benefactors, from the pains of Purgatory, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst be pleased to have mercy on those of whom no especial remembrance is made on earth, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst be pleased to fulfill all their desires, We beseech Thee, hear us.
That Thou wouldst be pleased to receive them into the company of the blessed, We beseech Thee, hear us.
King of awful Majesty, We beseech Thee, hear us.
Son of God, We beseech Thee, hear us.
Lamb of God
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant unto them rest.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant unto them rest.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, grant unto them rest everlasting.
Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy.
Concluding Prayers
From the gate of hell, deliver their souls, O Lord.
O Lord, hear my prayer. And let my cry come unto Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant unto the souls of Thy servants departed the remission of all their sins; that, by pious supplications, they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired.
Grant this, O God, Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
O eternal God, Who, besides the general precept of charity, hast commanded a particular respect for parents, kindred, and benefactors; grant, we beseech Thee, that, as they were the instruments by which Thy providence bestowed on us our birth, education, and innumerable other blessings, so our prayers may be the means to obtain for them a speedy release from their excessive sufferings, and admittance to Thine infinite joys. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
V. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May they rest in peace. Amen.
By Ludovico Carracci – Web Gallery of Art: Image Info about artwork, Public Domain, Link
The Litany for the Souls in Purgatory
The Litany for the Souls in Purgatory is a powerful Catholic prayer of mercy, intercession, and hope, it connects the faithful on earth with the holy souls undergoing purification, invoking saints, angels, and the entire communion of the Church. Here’s why this prayer matters:
- Support the souls in Purgatory: Every recitation helps the faithful departed find relief and purification.
- Join the communion of saints: Apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and all saints are called to intercede.
- Invoke God’s mercy: The litany petitions God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for infinite compassion.
- Remember your loved ones: Parents, relatives, friends, and benefactors are all included in these prayers.
- Strengthen your faith: Praying the litany unites the Church Militant (us), the Church Suffering (souls in purgatory), and the Church Triumphant (saints in heaven).
This litany is more than a list of names—it’s a prayer of hope, mercy, and solidarity. Every word bridges heaven and earth, reminding us that praying for the holy souls strengthens our own faith while helping them reach eternal joy.
Litany of the Faithful Departed (from Lasance Blessed Sacrament Book)
These souls forlorn, Redeemer blest,
Never denied Thee, but confest;
Grant them at last eternal rest.
Miserere, Domine.
On earth they failed from day to day,
Oft stumbling on the narrow way,
Yet put their trust in Thee for aye.
Miserere, Domine.
Let their chill desolation cease,
Thy mercy shed and give release,
Then grant them everlasting peace.
Miserere, Domine.
Here months and years now come and go,
With summer gleam and winter snow;
Let fall Thy dew and grace below.
Miserere, Domine.
Flowers fade and wither; such their doom,
Men fail and find the gaping tomb;
With Thee Thy gardens ever bloom.
Miserere, Domine.
Vision of peace so calm and bright,
After a long and darksome night,
Clothe them with everlasting light.
Miserere, Domine.
For these poor souls who may not pray—
For gone is their probation day—
We plead Thy Cross and humbly say,
Miserere, Domine.
Jesus, for Thee they keenly long,
To company with saintly throng,
And, ransomed, sing the new glad song.
Miserere, Domine.
May they with saints in glory shine,
Joined with angelic orders nine;
Link them with Thee in joys divine.
Miserere, Domine.
Enter may they through heaven’s door,
To walk in white on yonder shore,
Forever, Lord, forevermore!
Miserere, Domine.
Remember all their sighs and tears,
One day with Thee a thousand years;
Give peace, O Lord, and calm their fears!
Miserere, Domine.
As pants the hart for cooling spring,
As bird flies home with wearied wing,
Homeward they turn; Lord, homeward bring.
Miserere, Domine.
— From Ave Maria, Notre Dame, Ind.
Source: Rev. F. X. Lasance, Blessed Sacrament Book (New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1913).