The feast of All Saints is intimately connected with the remembrance of the holy souls who, detained in purgatory to expiate their venial sins or to pay the temporal pains due to sin, are none the less confirmed in grace and will one day enter heaven. Therefore, after having joyfully celebrated the glory of the saints who are the Church triumphant in heaven, the Church on earth extends her maternal solicitude to the place of unspeakable torments, the abode of souls who equally belong to her. ” On this day,” says the Roman Martyrology, commemoration of all the faithful departed, in which our common and pious Mother the Church, immediately after having endeavoured to celebrate by worthy praise all her children who already rejoice in heaven, strives to aid by he powerful intercession with Christ her Lord and Spouse, all those who still groan in Purgatory, so that they may join as soon as possible the inhabitants of the heavenly city.”

Nowhere in the Liturgy is more vividly affirmed the mysterious unity which exists between the Church triumphant, the Church militant and the Church suffering, and never is better fulfilled the double duty of charity and justice incumbent on every Christian by virtue of his membership of the mystical body of Christ.

It is through the very consoling dogma of the Communion of Saints that the merits and suffrages of the saints may benefit others. Whereby without infringing the indefeasible rights of divine justice, which are exercised in their full vigor after this life, the Church can join her prayers on earth to those of the Church in heaven and supply what is wanting in the souls in Purgatory, by offering to God for them, by the Holy Mass, by indulgences, by the alms and sacrifices of her children, the superabundant merits of Christ’s passion and of his mystical members. Wherefore the Liturgy the center of which is the sacrifice of Calvary continued on the altar, has always used this pre-eminent means of exercising in favor of the departed the great law of charity; for it is a precept of chaity to relieve our neighbour’s wants as if they were our own, in virtue of the supernatural bond which unites in Jesus those in heaven, in purgatory and on the earth.

The Liturgy of the dead is perhaps the most beautiful and consoling of all. Every day, at the end of each hour of the divine office, we recommend to the divine mercy the souls of the faithful departed. In the Mass, at the Suscipe, the priest offers the sacrifice for the living and the dead and in a special Memento he implores the Lord to remember His servants who have fallen asleep in Christ and to grant them to dwell in consolation, light and peace.

Masses for the dead are already recorded in the fifth century. But to St. Odilo, fourth abbot of the famous Benedictine monastery of Cluny, is due the Commemoration of all the departed. He instituted it in 998 and prescribed that it should be celebrated the day following All Saints’ Day. Through the influence of this illustrious French congregation, the custom was soon adopted by the whole Christian world and it even sometimes became a day of obligation. In Spain, Portugal and the formerly Spanish parts of South America, priests, in virtue of a privilege granted by Benedict XIV, celebrated three Masses on November 2. A decree of Benedict XV, dated August 10, 1915, authorizes the priests of the whole world to do the same.

The Church reminds us in an Epistle, taken from St. Paul, that the dead will rise again, and tells us to hope, for on that day we shall all see one another in the Lord. The Sequence strikingly describes the last judgment when the good will be forever separated from the wicked.

The Offertory reminds us that it is St. Michael who introduces souls to heaven for as the prayers for the recommendation of the soul say, it is he who is “the chief of the heavenly host” in whose ranks men are called to fill the places of the fallen angels.

“The souls in purgatory,” declares the Council of Trent, ” are helped by the suffrages of the faithful, especially by the sacrifice of the Altar”.”The reason is that in Holy Mass the priest offers officially to God the ransom for souls, that is the blood of the Saviour. And Jesus Himself, under the elements of bread and wine, which recall to the Father the sacrifice of Golgotha, prays God to apply to these souls its atoning virtue. Let us, on this day, be present at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass when the Church implores God to grant to the faithful departed, who can now do nothing for themselves, the remission of all their sins (Collect) and eternal rest (Introit, Gradual, Communion), and let us visit the cemeteries where their bodies repose’ until the day when, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet, they will rise again to be clothed in immortality and to gain through Jesus Christ the victory over death (Epistle).

 Introit

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis. Ps. Ixiv, 2-3. Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion, et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem: exaudi orationem meam, ad te omnis caro veniet. Requiem aeternam.

Eternal rest give to them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. Ps. A hymn, O God, becometh Thee in Sion ; and a vow shall be paid to Thee in Jerusalem: O Lord, hear my prayer; all flesh shall come to Thee. Eternal rest.

Collect 

Fidelium, Deus, omnium conditor et redemptor: animabus famulorum, famularumque tuarum remissionem cunctorum tribue peccatorum; ut indulgentiam, quam semper optav-erunt, piis supplicationibus consequantur: Qui vivis…

O God the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants departed the remission of all their sins, that, through our devout prayers, they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. Who livest.

Epistle

Lectio Eplstolae beati Pauli Apostoli ad Corinthios. Fratres: Ecce mysterium vobis dico: Omnes quidem resurgemus, sed non omnes immutabimur. In momento, in ictu oculi, in novissima tuba: canet enim tuba, et mortui resurgent incorrupt: et nos immutabimur. Oportet enim corruptible hoc induere incorrupt-idnem: et mortale hoc induere immortalitatem. Cum autem mortale hoc induerit immortalitatem, tune fiet sermo, qui scriptus est : Absorpta est mors in victoria. Ubi est, mors, victoria tua? ubi est, mors, stimulus tuus? Stimulus autem mortis peccatum est: virtus vero peccati lex. Deo autem gratias, qui dedit nobis victoriam per Dominum Nostrum Jesum Christum.

Lesson from the Epistle of blessed Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians. Brethren, Behold I tell you a mystery: we shall indeed rise again, but we shall not all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality, And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? Now the sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 Gradual

 Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis. \\ Ps. cxi. 7. In memoria aeterna erit Justus: ab auditione mala non timebit.

Eternal rest give to them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. v. The just shall be in everlasting remembrance: he shall not fear the evil hearing.

Tract

Absolve, Domine, animas omnium fidelium defunctorum ab omni vinculo delictorum. Et gratia tua illis succurrente, mereantur evadere judicium ultionis. Et lucis aeternae beatitudine perfrui.

Absolve, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from every bond of sin. And by the help of Thy grace may they be enabled to escape the avenging judgment And enjoy the happiness of everlasting life.

Sequence

Dies irae, dies ilia, Solvet saeclum in favilla Teste David cum Sibylla.

Quantus tremor est futiirus, Quando judex est venturus,

Cuncta stricte discussurus!

Tuba mirum spargens sonum Per sepulcra regionum, Coget omnes ante thronum.

Mors stupebit et natura, Cum resurget creatura, Judicanti responsura.

Liber scriptus proferetur, In quo totum continetur, Unde mundus judicetur.

Judex ergo cum sedebit, Quidquid latet apparebit: Nil inultum remanebit.

Quid sum miser tune dicturus? Quem patronum rogaturus, Cum vix Justus sit securus?

Rex tremendae majestatis, Qui salvandos salvas gratis, Salva me, fons pietatis.

Recordare Jesu pie, Quod sum causa tuae viae: Ne me perdas ilia die.

Quaerens me, sedlsti lassus: Redemisti crucem passus: Tantus labor non sit cassus.

Juste judex ultionis, Donum fac remissionis, Ante diem rationis.

Ingemisco, tamquam reus Culpa rubet vultus meus Supplicanti parce, Deus,

Qui Mariam absolvisti, Et latronem exaudisti, Mihi quoque spem dedisti.

Preces meae non sunt dignae Sed tu bonus fac benigne, Ne perenni cremer igne.

Inter oves locum praesta, Et ab haedis me sequestra, Statuens in parte dextra.

Confutatis maledictis, Flammis acribus addictis Voca me cum benedictis.

Oro supplex et acclinis, Cor contritum quasi cinis: Gere curam mei finis.

Lacrimosa dies ilia, Qua resiirget ex favilla.

Judicandus homo reus: Huic ergo parce Deus. Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem. Amen.

 

Day of wrath! O day of mourning,

See fulfilled the prophets’ warning;

Heaven and earth in ashes burning.

Oh, what fear man’s bosom rendeth

When from heaven the Judge descendeth, On whose sentence all depeadeth!

Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth, Through earth’s sepulchres it ringeth, All before the throne it bringeth.

Death is struck, and nature quaking, All creation is awaking, To its Judge an answer making.

Lo! the book exactly worded, Wherein all hath been recorded; Thence shall judgment be awarded.

When the Judge His seat attaineth, And each hidden deed arraigneth, Nothing unavenged remaineth.

What shall I, frail man, be pleading Who for me be interceding, When the just are mercy needing ?

King of majesty tremendous, Who dost free salvation send us, Fount of pity, then befriend us!

Think, good Jesu, my salvation Caused Thy wondrous Incarnation. Leave me not to reprobation.

Faint and weary Thou hast sought me, On the cross of suffering bought me; Shall such grace be vainly brought me?

Righteous Judge! for sin’s pollution Grant Thy gift of absolution, Ere that day of retribution.

Guilty, now I pour my moaning, All my shame with anguish owning; Spare, O God, Thy suppliant groaning.

Thou the sinful woman savedst; Thou the dying thief forgavest; And to me a hope vouchsafes!

Worthless are my prayers and sighing; Yet, good Lord, in grace complying, Rescue me from fires undying.

With thy favoured sheep O place me, Nor among the goats abase me, But to Thy right hand upraise me.

While the wicked are confounded, Doomed to flames of woe unbounded. Call me with Thy saints surrounded.

Low I kneel, with heart-submission, ee, like ashes, my contrition; help me in my last condition.

Ah! that day of tears and mourning! From the dust of earth returning

Man for judgment must prepare him. Spare, O God, in mercy spare him! Lord, all pitying, Jesu blest, Grant them Thine eternal rest. Amen. 

 Gospel

Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem. In illo tempore: Dixit Jesus turbis Judaeorum: Amen, amen dico vobis, quia venit hora, et nunc est quando mortui audient vocem Filii Dei: et qui audierint, vivent. Sicut enim Pater habet vitam in semetipso, sic dedit et Filio habere vitam in semetipso: et potestatem dedit ei judicium facere, quia Filius hominis est. Nolite mirari hoc, quia venit hora, in qua omnes, qui in monumentis sum, audient vocem Filii Dei: et precedent, qui bona fecdrunt, in resurrectionem vitae: qui vero mala egerunt in resurrectionem judicii.

Continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. John. At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews: Amen, amen, I say unto you, that the hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in Himself, so He hath given to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He hath given power to do judgment, because He is the Son of man. Wonder not at this, for the hour cometh wherein all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that have done good things shall come forth unto the resurrection of life, but they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment.

Offertory

Domine Jesu Christe Rex gloriae, Ubera animas omnium fidelium defunctorum de poenis inferni et de profundo lacu: libera eas de ore leonis, ne absorbeat eas tartarus, ne cadant in obscurum: sed signifer sanctus Michael repraesentet eas in lucem sanctam: Quam olim Abrahae promislsti, et semini ejus. v. Hostias et preces tibi, Domine laudis offerimus: tu suscipe pro animabus illis, quarum hodie memoriam fac-imus: fac eas, Domine, de morte transire ad vitam: Quam olim Abrahae promisisti et semini ejus.

O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of hell and from the deep pit: deliver them from the lion’s mouth, that hell may not swallow them up, and may they not fall into darkness; may Thy holy standard-bearer, Michael, lead them into the holy light; which Thou didst promise to Abraham and to his seed. We offer to Thee, O Lord, sacrifices and prayers : do Thou receive them in behalf of those souls whom we commemorate this day. Grant them, O Lord, to pass from death unto life; which Thou didst promise to Abraham and to his seed.

Secret

Hostias, quaesumus, Domine, quas tibi pro animabus famu!orum famularumque tuarum offerimus, propitiatus intende: ut, quibus fidei christianae meritum contulisti, dones et praenium. Per Dominum.

Look with favour, we beseech Thee, O Lord, upon the sacrifice which we offer up to Thee in behalf of the souls of Thy servants and of Thine handmaids, and deign thereby to be appeased. On those souls Thou didst bestow the merit of faith in Christ: deny them not its reward. Through our Lord.

Preface for Masses for the Dead

Vere dignum et justum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus: per Christum Dominum nostrum. In quo nobis spes beatae resurrectionis effulsit, ut quos contristat certa moriendi conditio, e6sdem consoletur futurae immortalitatis promissio. Tuis enim fidelibus, Domine, vita mutatur, non tollitur, et dissoluta terrestris hujus incolatus domo, aeterna in caelis habitatio comparatur. Et Ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis, cum Thronis et Dominationibus, cumque omni militia caelestis exercitus, hymnum gloriae tuae canimus, sine fine dicentes

It is truly meet and just, right and availing unto salvation, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto Thee, O holy Lord, Father almighty and everlasting God; through Christ our Lord. In whom the hope of a blessed resurrection hath shone upon us, that those whom the certainty of dying afflicteth, may be consoled by the promise of future immortality. For unto Thy faithful, O Lord, life is changed not taken away: and the abode of this earthly sojourn being dissolved, an eternal dwelling is prepared in heaven. And therefore with angels and archangels, with thrones and dominions, and\ with all the heavenly hosts, we sing a hymn to Thy glory, saying without ceasing

 Communion

Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine: Cum sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es. v. Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Cum Sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es.

May light eternal shine upon them, O Lord. With Thy saints for ever, because Thou art merciful, Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. With Thy saints forever, for Thou art merciful.

 Postcommunion

Animabus, quaesumus, Dominum famulorum, famularumque tuarum oratio proflciat supplicantium: ut eas et a peccatis omnibus exuas, et tuae redemptionis facias esse participes: Qui vivis.

May the prayer of Thy suppliant people, O Lord, benefit the souls of Thy servants; that Thou mayest deliver them from all their sins, and make them partakers of Thy redemption. Who livest. 

Libera me

Libera me, Domine, de morte aeterna, in die ilia tremenda: Quando caeli movendi sunt et terra. Dum veneris judicare saeculum per ignem. Tremens factus sum ego, et timeo, dum discussio venerit, atque ventura ira. Quando caeli movendi sunt et terra, v. Dies ilia, dies irae, calamitatis et miseriae, dies magna et amara valde. Dum veneris judicare saeculum per ignem. v. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Deliver me, O Lord, from eternal death in that awful day, When the heavens and the earth shall be moved: When Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. Dread and trembling have laid hold on me, and I fear exceedingly because of the judgment and the wrath to come. When the heavens and the earth shall be shaken. O that day, that day of wrath, of sore distress and of all wretchedness, that great and exceeding bitter day. When Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Fidelium, Deus, omnium conditor et redemptor: animabus famulorum, famularumque tuarum remissionem cunctorum tribue peccatorum; ut indulgentiam, quam semper optav-erunt, piis supplicationibus consequantur: Qui vivis…

O God the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants departed the remission of all their sins, that, through our devout prayers, they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. Who livest.