Novena for the Dead PDF Printable | Catholic Guide
Praying a Novena for the Dead is a wonderful 9-day prayer to encourage an honor a loved one who has passed away. Please see our Novena for the Dead PDF, linked below.
What is a Catholic Novena for the Dead?
The word “novena” is derived from the Latin word for nine, or “novem.” A novena is typically nine days of prayer during which a person asks God for a particular intention, frequently with the help of a saint's intercession. Novenas are a lovely way to develop a purposeful, regular, and persistent daily prayer life. Novenas are a beautiful way to cultivate a deliberate, consistent, and persistent daily prayer life.
Many of the most well-known and frequently prayed novenas begin or end on a Saint's feast day. With a few exceptions (such as the St. Andrew Christmas novena, which is 25 days long), most novenas last nine days. You can recite as many novenas as you want. They can be found in devotional prayer books or by consulting a priest. You are welcome to create your own novena, though, if that inspires you.
There are numerous novenas and novena prayers. One technique in particular is the novena for the dead. A nine-day prayer offered specifically for someone who has passed away is called a novena for the dead. Our prayers are meant to support and bolster the departed as they make their way through the afterlife. It's an effective way to respect, remember, and support this person.
Why Do Novenas Last 9 Days?
There are a number of reasons why nine might be important. Since the beginning of Christianity, novenas have existed. Funeral masses were held for nine days after each death back then. Devotional prayers took up all nine days. There is some evidence that points to the practice's ancient Greek and Roman origins.
After nine days of mourning, according to that tradition, people would host a feast in honor of the deceased. Roman Catholics, however, began to associate novenas with more overtly Christian symbolism over time.
The first can be seen in the Acts of the Apostles, where Jesus gave His followers the command to gather and pray after He ascended into heaven. According to tradition, the Apostles and the Blessed Virgin Mary visited the Upper Room and prayed there together during the nine days between Jesus' Ascension (which is believed to have happened 40 days after His Passion/Passover) and Pentecost.
Another explanation for the significance of nine is that Mary carried Jesus for nine months in her womb. In fact, people in the Middle Ages would traditionally pray for nine days leading up to Christmas to symbolize the nine months that Jesus spent in the womb of His mother.
Novena for the Dead PDF Guide
To pray your own novena for your loved ones, kindly use our Free Novena for the Dead PDF Guide.
Novena for the Dead printable PDF
Included in the Novena for the Dead PDF
Below are the prayers included in the Novena for the Dead PDF.
Day 1 – Novena For the Dead
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Leader: Lord our God, receive our supplications, prayers and mortifications and sighs in suffrage for the holy souls for whom we make this novena; and we pray that by the motherly love bestowed on you by your most holy Mother, when she followed you on the way of sorrow up to Mount Calvary, and grant what we ask of you in this novenafor your greater honour and glory.
All: Amen.
Leader: Jesus, through your blood on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the blow you received on your sacred face,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the cruel scourging you endured,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the crown of thorns that pierced your head,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your carrying of the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your face covered with blood which you allowed to be imprinted on the veil of Veronica,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your garments which were cruely removed from your wounded body,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your holy body nailed on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your side pierced with a lance and from which flowed blood and water.
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 2 – Novena For the Dead
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Leader: Merciful God, we beseech you, by the pain which your Holy Mother saw you suffer and agonise on the cross, that the holy souls in purgatory be freed from those pains;especially for the soul of ____, for whom we are praying and offering in this novena. Bring those who are submerged in their sinsto a true knowledge of their guilt and grant what we ask of you in this novena, for your greater honour and glory.
All: Amen.
Leader: Jesus, through your blood on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the blow you received on your sacred face,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the cruel scourging you endured,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the crown of thorns that pierced your head,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your carrying of the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your face covered with blood which you allowed to be imprinted on the veil of Veronica,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your garments which were cruely removed from your wounded body,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your holy body nailed on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your side pierced with a lance and from which flowed blood and water.
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 3 – Novena For the Dead
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Leader:
Almighty Father, to whom nobody asks without the hope of receiving, by the intercession of St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary, enable the suffering souls in purgatory to be able to leave that place, especially for the soul of __. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
All: Amen.
Leader: Jesus, through your blood on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the blow you received on your sacred face,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the cruel scourging you endured,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the crown of thorns that pierced your head,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your carrying of the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your face covered with blood which you allowed to be imprinted on the veil of Veronica,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your garments which were cruely removed from your wounded body,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your holy body nailed on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your side pierced with a lance and from which flowed blood and water.
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 4 – Novena For the Dead
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Leader:
Gracious God, through whose mercy the saints rest in glory, we beg you to set free those blessed souls in purgatory, especially for the soul of___________, for whom we are praying in this novena. May you radiate your compassion and loveto them so they may enter into your Kingdom. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
All: Amen.
Leader: Jesus, through your blood on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the blow you received on your sacred face,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the cruel scourging you endured,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the crown of thorns that pierced your head,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your carrying of the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your face covered with blood which you allowed to be imprinted on the veil of Veronica,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your garments which were cruely removed from your wounded body,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your holy body nailed on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your side pierced with a lance and from which flowed blood and water.
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 5 – Novena For the Dead
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Leader:Souvereign Lord, in whom it is proper to be merciful, through the intercession of St. Michael, the archangel,and by the sorrow of your Blessed Mother who suffered when the soldier pierced your side with a lance, have mercy on the soul of *__* for whom we are offering this novena and bring him/her to your eternal rest in heaven, for the better glory and honour of your name.
All: Amen.
Leader: Jesus, through your blood on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the blow you received on your sacred face,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the cruel scourging you endured,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the crown of thorns that pierced your head,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your carrying of the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your face covered with blood which you allowed to be imprinted on the veil of Veronica,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your garments which were cruely removed from your wounded body,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your holy body nailed on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your side pierced with a lance and from which flowed blood and water.
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 6 – Novena For the Dead
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Leader:
Lord Jesus Christ, incline your ears to our petitions. Have mercy on the souls in purgatory, especially for the soul of_______ for whom we make this novena. We humbly ask you to set them free and bring them to the happiness in heaven, for the greater glory and honour of your name.
All: Amen.
Leader: Jesus, through your blood on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the blow you received on your sacred face,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the cruel scourging you endured,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the crown of thorns that pierced your head,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your carrying of the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your face covered with blood which you allowed to be imprinted on the veil of Veronica,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your garments which were cruely removed from your wounded body,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your holy body nailed on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your side pierced with a lance and from which flowed blood and water.
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 7 – Novena For the Dead
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Leader:
Lord of mercy, hear our prayer. May our brother/sister _, whom you called your son/daughter on earth,enter into the Kingdom of peace and light,where your saints live in glory. We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Leader: Jesus, through your blood on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the blow you received on your sacred face,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the cruel scourging you endured,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the crown of thorns that pierced your head,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your carrying of the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your face covered with blood which you allowed to be imprinted on the veil of Veronica,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your garments which were cruely removed from your wounded body,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your holy body nailed on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your side pierced with a lance and from which flowed blood and water.
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 8 – Novena For the Dead
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Leader:
Creator and Redeemer of all mankind, through the infinite merits of passion, death and resurrection, we beg you to shower the immense treasures of your clemencyon those blessed souls,e specially for the eternal repose of the soul of _. Bring those who are in sinto a true knowledge and repentanceand grant what we ask for in this novena, through Christ, our Lord.
All: Amen.
Leader: Jesus, through your blood on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the blow you received on your sacred face,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the cruel scourging you endured,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the crown of thorns that pierced your head,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your carrying of the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your face covered with blood which you allowed to be imprinted on the veil of Veronica,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your garments which were cruely removed from your wounded body,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your holy body nailed on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your side pierced with a lance and from which flowed blood and water.
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 9 – Novena For the Dead
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Leader:
Lord God, you are the glory of the believersand the life of the just.Your Son redeemed us by dying and rising to life again. Our brother/sister ____, was faithful and believed in the resurrection. Give to him/her the joys and the blessings of the life to come. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Leader: Jesus, through your blood on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the blow you received on your sacred face,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the cruel scourging you endured,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through the crown of thorns that pierced your head,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your carrying of the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your face covered with blood which you allowed to be imprinted on the veil of Veronica,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your garments which were cruely removed from your wounded body,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your holy body nailed on the cross,
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Leader: Jesus, through your side pierced with a lance and from which flowed blood and water.
Response (All): Have mercy on the soul of …
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Use the Novena for the Dead PDF Guide
Rituals and traditions are important. They support us in our daily lives. Rituals with a lot of symbolic meaning can help with bigger ideas and emotions, like death. You can take comfort in the knowledge that this prayer routine will help you as you deal with your loss.
If you're looking for more prayer ideas, read our articles on the Rosary for the Dead and the Litany of Trust.
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