Office for the dead

[run262]

When are/should these prayers be prayed?

Thank you

Ed

 

[OraLabora]

You can pray this Office if someone you are close or who is important to you has died, or on the anniversary of their death or even when there is a funeral in your parish.

It shouldn’t be prayed too often outside of these circumstances but can be prayed at any time a Requiem Mass is permissible.

Do keep in mind that in the Liturgy of the Hours, the last intention at Vespers (Evening Prayer) is for the dead.

 

[Magdalen2013]

When are/should these prayers be prayed?

Thank you

Ed

I pray them when I hear of a disaster or when someone I know dies.

In November, I try to pray them for the souls in Purgatory at least once a week.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

When are/should these prayers be prayed?

Thank you

Ed

Annually, of course, the Office for All Souls Day is a keen part of a day of praying liturgically for the dead. As others have said, the Office of the Dead is properly used by an individual in connection with someone dear to them passing or, perhaps, with the death of the Pope, one’s diocesan bishop or parish priest. It could certainly be used in connection with a tragedy, such as a mass loss of life event as the Americans suffered on September 11 or as the British suffered on July 7th.

I know some religious communities that pray the Office of the Dead once per month. Personally, I tend more toward once per quarter using the “friends, relatives and benefactor” oration to cover those departed from this life to whom I had some connection and who remain habitually in my prayers.

As Ora Labora rightly notes, the daily office includes a petition for the repose of the departed.

 

[run262]

I noticed in the back of the “Shorter Christian Prayer” book these prayers. I think about my Mother and Father often, I say prayers for them at Mass and other times during the day or week.