EDITORIAL: AS we observe All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day, may we offer these two prayers:

Prayer for the Departed

My God! I recommend to Thee the souls of my relations,

my benefactors, my friends and my enemies,

and of those who are in Purgatory on my account.

I recommend to Thee the souls of evangelical labourers,

of Religious and priests,

and especially of those who had charge of my soul.

I recommend to Thee the souls of those

who were most devout to the passion of Our Lord,

to the Blessed Sacrament,

to the Blessed Virgin Mary,

the souls who are most abandoned,

those who suffer most,

and those who are nearest to the entrance into paradise.

Amen.

Prayer for the Dead

God our Father,

Your power brings us to birth,

Your providence guides our lives,

and by Your command we return to dust.

Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,

their lives change but do not end.

I pray in hope for my family,

relatives and friends,

and for all the dead known to You alone.

In company with Christ,

Who died and now lives,

may they rejoice in Your kingdom,

where all our tears are wiped away.

Unite us together again in one family,

to sing Your praise forever and ever.

Amen.