As we prepare for the month of November, a month dedicated
to the Holy Souls, I urge you to keep our beloved dead in prayer and perhaps
incorporate some of these suggestions:
·
Between November 1 -8, devoutly visit a cemetery
and pray (out loud or mentally), for the faithful departed.
·
On All Soul’s Day, devoutly visit a Church or
oratory and recite an Our Father and the Creed.
·
Devoutly visit a cemetery and at least mentally
pray for the dead.
·
Devoutly recite lauds or vespers from the Office
of the Dead or recite the prayer: “Eternal
rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.”
And some, or all, of these ideas in your family prayers:
·
Add part of the eternal rest prayer to the end
of grace at meals: …and may the souls
of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
·
Pray the eternal rest prayer when you pass a
cemetery-this can remind you of our eternal destiny.
·
Pray the eternal rest prayer between decades (if
you pray the entire Rosary) or after a decade if you pray one decade as a
family.
“Count it all joy my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you
know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:6
My prayers are with you,
Melissa