Prayer for the Dead of Saint Ignatius of Loyola

A Catholic Prayer for the Departed (Ignatian Spirit)

Lord, welcome into your calm and peaceful kingdom

those who have departed out of this present life to be with you.

Grant them rest and a place with the spirits of the just,

and give them the life that knows no age,

the reward that passes not away,

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

— Traditional prayer prayed in Ignatian circles for the deceased

DAILY PRAYERS

This prayer expresses trust in God’s mercy, hope in everlasting life, and a peaceful entrusting of the beloved departed to God—connected to Jesuit devotional tradition.

An Ignatian‑Centered Prayer at the Hour of Death

St. Ignatius himself cherished prayers that focus on Christ at the moment of death. One such prayer (often attributed to or used with Ignatian spirituality) is:

Soul of Christ, sanctify them.

Body of Christ, save them.

Blood of Christ, inebriate them.

Water from the side of Christ, wash them.

Passion of Christ, strengthen them.

O good Jesus, hear me.

Within Thy wounds hide them.

Do not allow them to be separated from You.

From the evil enemy defend them.

At the hour of their death call them

and bid them come to You,

that with all Your saints they may praise You

forever and ever. Amen

The prayer traditionally attributed to Saint Ignatius of Antioch, often titled "Prayer for the Dead" or "A Prayer for the Deceased," is as follows:

"Receive in tranquility and peace, O Lord, the souls of your servants who have departed this present life to come to you. Grant them rest and place them in the habitations of light, the abodes of blessed spirits. Give them the life that will not age, good things that will not pass away, delights that have no end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." 

This prayer is believed to be an early Christian practice, implying a belief in what would later be known as Purgatory. It is often recited in November, particularly on All Souls' Day, or whenever one prays for the deceased. While this specific "Prayer for the Dead" is attributed to Saint Ignatius of Antioch, it is important to distinguish him from Saint Ignatius of Loyola, who is associated with other well-known prayers such as the "Suscipe" and the "Prayer for Generosity"

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, the third bishop of Antioch and a disciple of Saint John the Evangelist, was martyred in the Colosseum in Rome by being fed to wild beasts. During his journey to Rome, he preached the Gospel, wrote epistles to Christian communities, and composed prayers.

Other significant prayers associated with Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), include:

• The Suscipe: "Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Dispose of it wholly according to your will. Give me only your love and your grace, that is enough for me." This prayer, found within the Fourth Week of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, is a profound act of surrender to God's will and love. It is considered by some Jesuits to be the hardest prayer in the Spiritual Exercises due to its monumental call to give everything to God.

• The Prayer for Generosity: "Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve as you deserve, To give and not to count the cost, To fight and not to heed the wounds, To labor and not to seek to rest, To give of myself and not ask for reward, except in the reward that I am doing your will." This prayer encourages selfless service and dedication to God's will.

While the "Prayer for the Dead" is attributed to Saint Ignatius of Antioch, the "Suscipe" and "Prayer for Generosity" are widely recognized as prayers of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Both saints contributed significantly to Christian prayer and spirituality.

OTHER PRAYER: "Welcome, Lord, into your calm and peaceful kingdom those who, out of this present life, have departed to be with you. Grant them rest and a place with the spirits of the just, and give them a life that knows no age, a reward that passes not away. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."