Beads of the Dead

Since November is the month where we focus on prayer for the dead, the devotion we are going to be praying today is specifically for the souls of our loved ones who have gone before us. This devotion is called the Beads of the Dead. It is a chaplet typically prayed on a set of 40 beads- traditionally believed to be in commemoration of the 40 hours our Lord is thought to have spent between death and Easter morning, delivering the righteous dead out of hell. And it is a Marian devotion because on each bead we call out to Mary as being the one to lead us to her Son, our Source of salvation and eternal peace. It can be prayed in honor of one specific loved one you have lost, all your deceased loved ones, on behalf of the souls in Purgatory, or for those who have died without anyone to pray for them. So take a minute before you begin and call to mind your intention and who you’d like to lift up with this devotion. Place them into the hands of our Blessed Mother. Entrust their soul to her.

The Beads of the Dead Chaplet

Sign of the Cross.

(Psalm 130): Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord; Lord hear my voice. Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If Thou, O Lord, shalt observe iniquities; Lord, who shall endure it? For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of Thy law, I have waited for Thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on His word; my soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him plentiful redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all her iniquities.

Our Father…

3 Hail Marys…

Our Father…

Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation. (x 10)

V. Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine upon him/her.

V. May he/she rest in peace.

R. Amen

V. May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

R. Amen.

O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe that Your Divine Son became man, died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because You have revealed them. who can neither deceive nor be deceived.

Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation. (x 10)

V. Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine upon him/her.

V. May he/she rest in peace.

R. Amen

V. May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

R. Amen.

O my God, relying on Your almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, and the help of Your grace, and life everlasting through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and redeemer.

Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation. (x 10)

V. Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine upon him/her.

V. May he/she rest in peace.

R. Amen

V. May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

R. Amen.

O my God, I love you above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because You are all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbour as myself for the love of You. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen.

Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation. (x 10)

V. Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine upon him/her.

V. May he/she rest in peace.

R. Amen

V. May his/her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

R. Amen.

May the love of God and the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ bless us and console us and gently wipe every tear from our eyes.

Sign of the Cross.