Praying for the deceased

[AvailableName]

Which are appropiate when we pray for the deceased? I have been saying the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, and the Glory Be. I am not sure about the Apostle’s Creed or the Act of Contrition due to the presence of the word “I” in them.

Another question… I have a particular person in mind. What happens when she finishes her time in Purgatory but I continue to pray for her? Do the prayers get distributed to other souls still in Purgatory?

 

[Jon_S_1]

Which are appropiate when we pray for the deceased? I have been saying the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary, and the Glory Be. I am not sure about the Apostle’s Creed or the Act of Contrition due to the presence of the word “I” in them.

You can pray whatever you like and I encourage spontaneous prayer. Maybe try some of these.

catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=805

Be sure to click through the links on the bottom for more prayers.

Another question… I have a particular person in mind. What happens when she finishes her time in Purgatory but I continue to pray for her? Do the prayers get distributed to other souls still in Purgatory?

Yes exactly. Your prayers benefit the souls in purgatory who need prayer.

 

[Boy_Wonder]

Another question… I have a particular person in mind. What happens when she finishes her time in Purgatory but I continue to pray for her? Do the prayers get distributed to other souls still in Purgatory?

God exists outside of time. The creation of time was necessary in order for his physical creation to exist. Before God could begin the act of his creation with “let there be light” he first found it necessary to create time. Remember that this passage starts with "In the beginning … . " That was God’s creation of time. The beginning. Before that was simply an eternal God - I am who am.

There’s no time after death. Padre Pio would pray a holy death for people who died or suffered misfortunes decades earlier and even before he was born.

Continue to pray for her. The overall effect of these prayers, no matter hwen they’re offered, will be applied to lessen her purgation.

 

[AvailableName]

I have to admit that I never considered the kind of total temporal disconnect you are suggesting. It’s a humbling thought.

But ignoring time altogether, consider simply the numbers. If it possible for me to free her via prayer then some finite number of prayers must suffice since I cannot pray an infinite number of prayers. If I succeed in praying the necessary number of prayers thus freeing her, what happens if I continue to pray.

 

[His_helpmeet]

A classic prayer for the deceased (I always pray this when I hear of a death and/or pass a cemetery):

“God grant them eternal rest and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”

 

[Jon_S_1]

I have to admit that I never considered the kind of total temporal disconnect you are suggesting. It’s a humbling thought.

But ignoring time altogether, consider simply the numbers. If it possible for me to free her via prayer then some finite number of prayers must suffice since I cannot pray an infinite number of prayers. If I succeed in praying the necessary number of prayers thus freeing her, what happens if I continue to pray.

As was mentioned if you continue to pray God will use it elsewhere. The church in general also prays for her.

It is not you freeing her, it is God. God will welcome her when she is ready and made holy.

I personally believe our purgation is a transition in which we are made perfect for Christ. The prayers of the church across time assist each individual when they need it

 

[Aran_Houlihan]

Réquiem ætérnam dona ei (eis) Dómine; et lux perpétua lúceat ei (eis). Requiéscat (Requiéscant) in pace. Amen.