Spiritual Work of Mercy: Praying for the Living and the Dead

Praying for both the living and the dead is a spiritual work of mercy, and the faithful should not limit their prayers to a singular month. By praying for the living and the dead, we are loving our neighbor by interceding for the needs of all. 

During the month of November, the Church remembers in a special way, all of those who have gone before us to receive their eternal reward. The Feast of All Saints’ Day on November 1^st celebrates all of those who have attained Heaven. The Feast of All Souls’ Day on November 2^nd is dedicated to those who have died but have not yet attained Heaven.   

Practical Ways to Love Our Neighbor Through Prayer

Here are some practical ways to incorporate this spiritual work of mercy into your daily life. 

1. Attend Mass often. Heaven and earth meet within the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the needs of the whole world are prayed for. 

2. Have a Mass offered for someone. It is a comfort to the family when a deceased loved one has a Mass offered for them, particularly on key dates – birthday or anniversary of their death, etc. But Masses can also be offered for the intentions of those still alive. When a Mass is offered for someone who has died, it assists to purify any imperfections preventing the soul rom entering its glory. When a Mass is offered for someone who is still alive, it assists the person in persevering through trials, aids them in living a virtuous life, and increases their sanctity. 

3. Pray for the repose of the soul of someone who has died, and for the loved ones they have left behind. 

4. Take a cemetery walk and pray for the repose of all the souls. This is an easy and enjoyable practice for even young children. 

5. Offer to pray with someone who is sick or suffering. You could even visit local nursing homes, assisted living facilities and hospitals to pray with the sick and suffering. 

6. Offer a particular devotional prayer for someone. The rosary and divine mercy chaplet are powerful intercessory tools. 

7. Learn the prayer of St. Gertrude for the release of the holy souls in purgatory: 

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. 

Connected Virtues

When we pray for the living and the dead, we are practicing the virtues of prayerfulness and loyalty. PRAYERFULNESS deepens our friendship with God. As we pray for others, He makes our hearts vessels of His mercy. We practice LOYALTY when we pray for the needs of our Church, country, family, school community, and friends.