What is a Rosary for the Holy Souls in Purgatory?

The Rosary for the Holy Souls is a powerful way to pray for the souls in Purgatory. Praying for these beloved members of the Church is an important practice in the Catholic Faith. Our guide below outlines how to pray a Rosary for the Holy Souls and included a free PDF guide below.

What is a Rosary for the Holy Souls in Purgatory?

The Rosary for the Holy Souls in Purgatory (also called the Rosary for Holy Souls) is a special Rosary intended to reach out and help the faithfully departed in Purgatory.

Numerous Church Fathers, including St. Augustine and St. John Chrysostom, regarded prayers for souls in purgatory as essential. The church has endorsed the doctrine of purgatory since the 15th and 16th century Councils of Florence and Trent.

According to Blessed Pope John Paul II, the act of granting an indulgence to Holy Souls who are currently suffering in Purgatory is "the highest act of supernatural charity." What more fitting way could there be to pray for them than to make use of our most beloved religious practice, the Rosary? The Rosary for the Holy Souls in Purgatory is prayed on a traditional set of Rosary beads and adds supplimental prayers to offer up our prayers for those in Purgatory.

There is also an opportunity in the Rosary for the Holy Souls to pray for specific souls in Purgatory. Prepare for to say this special Rosary by bringing to mind the relatives, friends, and loved ones who specifically need our prayers.

How to pray a Rosary for the Holy Souls in Purgatory?

The Rosary for the Holy Souls is prayed on a traditional Rosary, with some supplemental introductory prayers, decade prayers, and closing prayers. If you need a refresher on how to pray the prayers of the Rosary, use our free guide.

Holy Souls Rosary: Introduction Prayers

1. Start with the Sign of the Cross.

2. Recite the opening prayers:

   Let us pray. May the prayer of Your suppliant people, we beseech You, O Lord, benefit the souls of Your departed servants and handmaids, that You both deliver them from all their sins and make them partakers of Your redemption. Amen.

   “O Lord, open my lips and I shall praise your name.”

   “O God, come to my aid. O Lord, make haste to help me.”

   “Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.”

3. Pray for specific souls in Purgatory.

   “O Jesus, You suffered and died that all mankind might be saved and brought to eternal happiness. Hear our pleas for further mercy on the souls of:” (Mention by name each soul; choose all those you wish to pray for, including parents, grandparents, spouses, brothers, sisters, other close relatives; teachers, priests, convicts, and so on and so forth.)

   Respond after each name: “Jesus, have mercy!”

4. Begin the Rosary.

   1. Apostles Creed
   2. Our Father
   3. Three Hail Mary’s
   4. Glory Be

Holy Souls Rosary: The Decade Prayers

1. Pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.

   1. Announce the first mystery, say the Our Father.
   2. Pray ten Haily Mary’s
   3. Pray the Glory Be

2. At the end of each decade, pray:

   Lord, Jesus Christ, through Your five Holy Wounds and through all of Your Sacred Blood that You shed, we ask You to have mercy on the Holy Souls in Purgatory, and in particular on our parents, spouses, relatives, spiritual guides and benefactors. Complete the healing of their purification and let them enjoy and participate fully in Your Salvation. Amen.

Holy Soul Rosary: Conclusion Prayers

1. Pray the customary concluding prayers.

   1. Hail Holy Queen
   2. Memorare

2. Conclude with this eternal rest prayer:

   Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them with your Saints forever more, because You are gracious.

   May the divine assistance remain always with us. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Rosary for the Holy Souls in Purgatory PDF Guide

Please use the link below to download a free pdf guide for How to pray a Rosary for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Feel free to use and distribute as much as you’d like! Pray for the Holy Souls!

Download here.

Other Prayers for the Souls in Purgatory

Saint Gertrude’s Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory

Eternal Father, I offer You 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, for those in my own home, and in my family. Amen.

Eternal Rest Prayer

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

The Heroic Act of Charity Prayer

Heavenly Father, in union with the merits of Jesus and Mary, I offer to You for the sake of the poor souls all the satisfactory value of my works during life, as well as all that will be done for me after death. I give You my all through the hands of the Immaculate Virgin Mary that she may set free whatever souls she pleases, according to her heavenly wisdom and mother's love for them. Receive this offering, O God, and grant me in return an increase of Your grace. Amen.

Other Resources for the Rosary for Holy Souls in Purgatory

C.S. Lewis tells you why you should like Purgatory

Rosary for the Holy Souls Video with Fr. Kevin Vogel

Father Dan Cambra reflects on the Holy Souls Rosary

Other Great Catholic Devotions

The Litany of Humility

The Chaplet to the Holy Spirit

How to Pray a Novena

The Rosary Card - Built For Convenience

Connect

Please let me know how your journey with the Rosary is going, I'd love to hear from you. Send me a message an email at: brennan@everydayprayerco.com

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