NOVEMBER  Is the reminder we need to pray for the dead

WE NEED NOVEMBER because it reminds us of a subject we would just as soon not think about or even forget completely- death -our own and that of others: We are only too happy to put thoughts of our own death out of our minds. We forget all too quickly our beloved relatives and friends who have already been called home to god in death. We meed November.

Prayer for the dead is a tradition of the Church. The first thing that the Church - and we are the Church - does for the dead is to pray for them. Before long, November, the Month of the Holy Souls, will be here. Do we need to be reminded to pray for those to whom we owe so much, parents, sisters, brothers, relatives, neighbours who have gone before us in death? November is that reminder! Pray for the dead. Give some thought to your own death. We all need to put our house in order against sudden and unprovided death. November is for us as well as for our beloved dead. Use its reminder well!

FOR PARENTS
Father in heaven, I offer You this prayer for my parents. I  ask You, through Your mercy and love. to reward them with a place of light, happiness and peace in Your heavenly kingdom in return for all the sacrifices they made for me in Your Name. Forgive their sins and bring them into the company of Your Mother, Mary and all the Saints- to share everlasting happiness. Amen.

FOR MOTHER
Father of mercy and love, I  ask Your pardon and blessing on my mother. I ask you this through the merits of Mary,  the Mother of Jesus, Your Son, and our Mother. In the example of Mary, sacrifice and service to me and to others was at the heart of her life in this world. May Your reward for her be unending happiness in Your presence with Jesus, Our Saviour, Mary our Mother and all the Saints. Amen.

FOR FATHER
Through the merits of St. Joseph, Lord, have mercy on the soul of my father. May he know all the happiness You have promised those who do Your work and Your willin this world. Reward him with a place of everlasting rest and that peace which You alone can give. Amen.

FOR RELATIVES
Merciful Father, I entrust the souls of my rela­tives who have died into Your loving care. In this world, they walked faithfully in the example of Your Son. In death, may they experience the eternal rest and everlasting happiness promised to those who share in the glory of His Resurrection. Make peace Your gift to them, that peace which this world cannot give and which is without end in Your kingdom. Amen.

FOR PRIESTS
God, our Father, through the merits of Jesus, Your Son, the Eternal High Priest; I offer You this prayer for all priests who have died and especially for those who served me in Your Name. Give them a place in Your kingdom to share in the glory of Your Son. Reward their efforts to do the work of Jesus in this world. Grant them eternal rest from their labours and an eternity of happiness with You. Amen.

FOR RELIGIOUS
Loving Father, hear this prayer on behalf of all Religious men and women who have been called by You in death. I pray, in particular, for those who directed me in the wavs of Your Son. Give them the pardon and forgiveness they brought to others through the message of love and the mercy of Jesus, Your Son. Bring them into the company of the Saints to share eternal happiness with Jesus and Mary, their models. Amen.