Question about praying for a deceased Catholic

[akelios]

Hello,
First, I apologize if I’m asking this in the wrong place or doing something wrong. I’m extremely new to this.
Almost a year ago a longtime friend passed away. She was also my boss and a Catholic. Now, as the anniversary of her death gets closer, I’ve felt as though I need to go to church and pray for her. Which, for me, is a very odd thing. However, not being Catholic, or even, for that matter, christian, I’m not sure if it’s even appropriate for me to do that? And, if it’s not inappropriate, is there a prayer that Catholic’s pray for souls in purgatory? I know that I could just go and pray, but for a whole host of reasons I won’t go to another church, and seeing as how she was Catholic, I think I should try to do it properly. If there is a proper way.
Thank you,
Amber

 

[Orionthehunter]

Hello,
First, I apologize if I’m asking this in the wrong place or doing something wrong. I’m extremely new to this.
Almost a year ago a longtime friend passed away. She was also my boss and a Catholic. Now, as the anniversary of her death gets closer, I’ve felt as though I need to go to church and pray for her. Which, for me, is a very odd thing. However, not being Catholic, or even, for that matter, christian, I’m not sure if it’s even appropriate for me to do that? And, if it’s not inappropriate, is there a prayer that Catholic’s pray for souls in purgatory? I know that I could just go and pray, but for a whole host of reasons I won’t go to another church, and seeing as how she was Catholic, I think I should try to do it properly. If there is a proper way.
Thank you,
Amber

Amber, thank you very much for your fidelity and love for your departed friend. Even though you don’t accept your friend’s faith as your own, you understand and appreciate what must have impressed you as a fundamental component of your friend: she loved those around her and was grateful when that love was returned. And, because of your love for her, you feel a call to do what she asked of those who love her: to pray for her soul so that she might occupy her room in Heaven. God is blessing you by your remembrance and fidelity.

Frankly, if your friend has already gained Eternal Paradise and is partaking of the Beautific Vision of God, she doesn’t need your prayer. But, even then, your sincere act of love is meritorious, grants graces unto you, and will be returned to you many times over by your friend’s prayer for you.

But, if your friend has not yet gained her Holy Desire to be in Heaven, your prayer is important to her and most appreciated. What she asks of you is summed up in this prayer. Use it or any petition to God on behalf of your friend you feel called to pray. Your heart appears to be properly disposed so it is unlikely you will do it wrong.

Prayer for the Dead

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Your servants departed full remission of all their sins, that through our devout prayers, they may obtain the pardon, which they have always desired. Who live and reign, world without end. Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

 

[stbruno]

How very considerate you are in considering praying for your dead boss and friend.

We believe as Catholics in the state of Purgatory, and we also believe in the communion of saints, aka all those who are in heaven.
Praying for your friend is very noble and a very Christian act, because we know that the souls of the just are in the hands of the Almighty.

There are many prayers you can say, and you can say them anywhere, in your home, your car, your office…Prayers are simply conversations with God and He hears all prayers.
One common prayer is
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
And let the perpetual light shine upon them.
And may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most of need of your mercy… Amen

PRAYER OF ST. GERTRUDE THE GREAT
ETERNAL FATHER, I offer Thee the most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, JESUS, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home, and within my family. Amen
OUR LORD told St. Gertrude that the above prayer would release 1000 souls from purgatory each time it is said. The prayer was extended to include living sinners as well.

 

[akelios]

OriontheHunter and stbruno,

Thank you both for taking the time to answer me. I appreciate it.

I will definitely use the prayers that you’ve provided, and this way I know I won’t be breaking any rules or offending someone unintentionally.

And I just wanted to say, I only mentioned her soul being in purgatory because it is my, admittedly possibly wrong, understanding that the only people we know for certain are in heaven are Saints, and so the general working assumption for everyone else is purgatory. In my opinion, of course, she should be in heaven, but I can’t just make that assumption. I might be a little biased.

Again, thank you very much for your help.

-Amber

 

[danonwaveland]

Amber,

May God bless you abundantly for your kindness!

Dan

 

[Orionthehunter]

OriontheHunter and stbruno,

Thank you both for taking the time to answer me. I appreciate it.

I will definitely use the prayers that you’ve provided, and this way I know I won’t be breaking any rules or offending someone unintentionally.

And I just wanted to say, I only mentioned her soul being in purgatory because it is my, admittedly possibly wrong, understanding that the only people we know for certain are in heaven are Saints, and so the general working assumption for everyone else is purgatory. In my opinion, of course, she should be in heaven, but I can’t just make that assumption. I might be a little biased.

Again, thank you very much for your help.

-Amber

Amber, you can’t pray wrong. God knows your intent. Part of the reason that the Church has certain form prayers is that it not only properly forms the prayer but most importantly forms our heart and mind so we fully understand that God is in control with perfect and absolute discretion.

And you are correct that we are always to assume that souls need our prayers. God does the rest perfectly in love with perfect Mercy and Justice.