Prayer for a Happy Death

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart." – Psalm 90:12

Public Domain: Rembrandt van Rijn’s Raising of Lazarus via Wikimedia Commons.

The Prayer

If it so please my Maker, it is time for me to return to Him who created me and formed me out of nothing when I did not exist. I have lived a long time, and they righteous Judge has taken good care of me during my whole life. The time has come for my departure, and I long to die and be with Christ. My soul yearns to see Christ, my King, in all His glory. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

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About This Prayer

This prayer, composed by Saint Bede the Venerable (672–735), is a reflection of Christian hope in the face of mortality. It acknowledges Christ as the source of wisdom and life, while asking for the grace of perseverance and eternal union with Him. Bede, known as the “Father of English History,” was not only a monk and scholar but also a man of deep faith and humility. His prayer for a happy death demonstrates his desire for eternal life with Christ after faithfully serving Him on earth.

When To Pray

Catholics may pray the Prayer for a Happy Death in times of reflection on mortality, when interceding for the dying, or in preparation for one’s own final journey. It can be prayed during the month of November (when the Church especially remembers the dead), on the Feast of Saint Joseph (patron of a happy death), or anytime one desires to entrust their end to God’s mercy.