Novena for the Holy Souls
Feast: 2 Nov
When to pray: Begin on 24 Oct and finish on 1 Nov, the eve of the feast, or any nine consecutive days for someone who has died. A novena is prayed on nine consecutive days.
Prayer for each day
Lord Jesus, you conquered death. Have mercy on the souls in purgatory, especially N., cleanse them by your love and bring them soon into the light of your face. Amen.
Day by day
Day 1: Those I loved
Jesus said to her: I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, although he be dead, shall live:
John 11:25, Douay-Rheims
Lord Jesus, you are the resurrection and the life. I pray for those I have loved who have died. Grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.
Day 2: Those no one prays for
It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.
2 Mach 12:46 [2 Macc 12:46], Douay-Rheims
Lord Jesus, it is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead. I pray for the souls whom no one remembers and no one prays for. Have mercy on them, and bring them into your presence. Amen.
Day 3: Priests and religious
Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation, Jesus Christ, yesterday, and today: and the same for ever.
Heb 13:7-8, Douay-Rheims
Lord Jesus, remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you. I pray for deceased priests, deacons and religious who served your Church. Reward their labours and bring them to glory. Amen.
Day 4: Those who died suddenly
Wherefore be you also ready, because at what hour you know not the Son of man will come.
Matt 24:44, Douay-Rheims
Lord Jesus, at what hour you know not the Son of man will come. I pray for those who died suddenly, without time to prepare. In your mercy, purify them and receive them into your peace. Amen.
Day 5: Those who died far from God
Say to them: As I live, saith the Lord God, I desire not the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way, and live. Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways: and why will you die, O house of Israel?
Ezech 33:11 [Ezek 33:11], Douay-Rheims
Lord Jesus, God desires not the death of the wicked, but that he turn from his way and live. I pray for those who died far from you. If any turned to you at the end, have mercy on them. Amen.
Day 6: Parents and grandparents
Honour thy father and thy mother, that thou mayst be longlived upon the land which the Lord thy God will give thee.
Exod 20:12, Douay-Rheims
Lord Jesus, you commanded us to honour our father and mother. I pray for my deceased parents, grandparents and ancestors. Repay them for the life and love they gave, and bring them to eternal joy. Amen.
Day 7: Friends
A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure.
Ecclus 6:14 [Sir 6:14], Douay-Rheims
Lord Jesus, a faithful friend is a strong defence. I pray for my friends who have died. Thank you for their friendship, and may we meet again in heaven. Amen.
Day 8: Benefactors
And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you he shall not lose his reward.
Matt 10:42, Douay-Rheims
Lord Jesus, no one who gives even a cup of cold water in your name shall lose his reward. I pray for all who did good to me and to the Church in their lifetime. Reward them with eternal life. Amen.
Day 9: All the faithful departed
And I heard a voice from heaven, saying to me: Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. From henceforth now, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours. For their works follow them.
Apoc 14:13 [Rev 14:13], Douay-Rheims
Lord Jesus, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. I pray for all the faithful departed. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Scripture
Douay-Rheims numbering (modern in brackets): 2 Mach 12:46 [2 Macc 12:46]; Apoc 14:13 [Rev 14:13]; Ecclus 6:14 [Sir 6:14]; Exod 20:12; Ezech 33:11 [Ezek 33:11]; Heb 13:7; John 11:25; Matt 10:42; Matt 24:44. Scripture index
Source
Written for The Crusade, 2026. How we check sources