Catholic Prayer for Grief

"Let us not weep for them as if they are lost, but pray for them as those who have gone before us into eternal life." — St. Augustine

Public Domain: Saint Augustine by Philippe de Champaigne via Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

The Prayer

O God, full of compassion, You who dwell in the highest, Grant perfect rest to the souls of Your servants who have departed this life. In Your mercy, O Lord, may they find everlasting peace in the company of Your saints. Wipe away the tears of those who mourn, Comfort the sorrowful with the hope of resurrection, And strengthen us to live in faith until we are reunited in Your heavenly kingdom. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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About This Prayer

St. Augustine’s Prayer for the Dead is one of the Church’s traditional prayers of intercession, rooted in the early centuries of Christianity. St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430), a Doctor of the Church, emphasized the importance of praying for the souls of the faithful departed. This Catholic prayer for grief captures both compassion for the grieving and hope for eternal life. By lifting up the dead to God’s mercy, the prayer strengthens the faithful in their conviction of the resurrection and eternal communion with Christ.

When To Pray

St. Augustine’s Prayer for the Dead is one of the Church’s traditional prayers of intercession, rooted in the early centuries of Christianity. St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430), a Doctor of the Church, emphasized the importance of praying for the souls of the faithful departed. This prayer captures both compassion for the grieving and hope for eternal life. By lifting up the dead to God’s mercy, the prayer strengthens the faithful in their conviction of the resurrection and eternal communion with Christ.