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Traditional Catholic prayer · Requiem Aeternam
Eternal Rest
A prayer for the faithful departed, that God grant them rest and light.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Prayed for the dead, especially in November and at gravesides.
Where it comes from
Requiem aeternam, from the Requiem Mass. It is the ordinary prayer for the dead, said at gravesides, on hearing of a death, and through November.
Frequently asked
Why pray for someone already dead?
Catholics believe the dead can still be helped by prayer, and that charity does not stop at a funeral.
What is 'perpetual light'?
The vision of God, which the prayer asks God to give them.
More Catholic prayers
- The Sign of the Cross
- The Our Father
- The Hail Mary
- The Glory Be
- The Apostles' Creed
- The Act of Contrition
- All prayers
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