The Rosary for the dead

How to pray it, step by step

1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross and the Act of Contrition

   Sign of the Cross

   In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

   Act of Contrition

   O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell; but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.

2. Offer the Rosary

   In your own words, offer it for the soul of the person, saying their name: “We offer this Rosary for the soul of…”

3. Pray the Creed, an Our Father, three Hail Marys and a Glory Be

   Apostles’ Creed

   I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

   Our Father

   Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

   Hail Mary

   Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

   Glory Be

   Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

4. Pray the five mysteries

   For each one: announce the mystery, then pray an Our Father, ten Hail Marys and a Glory Be, the Fatima Prayer and the prayer for the dead.

   Fatima Prayer

   O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy.

   Eternal Rest

   Eternal rest grant unto him (her), O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him (her). May he (she) rest in peace. Amen.

5. Close with the Hail, Holy Queen

   Many families also pray the Litany of Loreto.

   Hail, Holy Queen

   Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

6. Commend the person once more

   Eternal Rest (as above)

   For the Faithful Departed

   May his (her) soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

   Sign of the Cross (as above)

When you pray for several people, say the Eternal Rest prayer in the plural (them, may they rest).

Many also pray the St. Gertrude prayer for the souls in purgatory.

The mysteries for each day

Pray the mysteries for that day of the week.

The novena for the dead

In many Catholic families, especially Hispanic ones, a death is followed by nine days of prayer for the person, the novenario, usually with the Rosary, at home or in church. It begins soon after the death, and many families close it with a Mass.

We pray for the dead because the Church teaches that those who die in God’s friendship but still need purifying are helped by our prayers, above all by the Mass. Every November 2, All Souls’ Day, the whole Church prays for them.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1030-1032