Prayers to be Prayed with a Dying Catholic

How to Use These Prayers

Feel free to choose from the many different prayers, litanies, and scriptures, depending on the circumstances and condition of the person. Also, the length of the prayers may be shortened or extended. Most importantly, listen to how God may be speaking to you.

As you begin praying, it is helpful to ask for a moment of silence among those gathered and invite all present to call to mind the presence of God. The prayers are best said in a slow, quiet voice, alternating with periods of silence. A pause or a period of silence between each section is also helpful.

Do not hesitate to say these prayers even if the person appears to be unconscious. A person who appears unconscious may still be aware of their surroundings and be able to hear and may know that others who care and love them are near and are there to help them on their journey to meet Our Lord.

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Introduction

Visiting a person who is approaching the end of life can be a difficult time, filled with stress and confusion. The dying person and their family and friends need our support, but we often feel helpless and are not sure what to do. It is hoped that these prayers that are in the Catholic tradition will give you some guidance and direction. Our prayers at the bedside of our Christian brothers and sisters will let them know that they are not alone. We are walking with them as far as we can on this final journey to their new home. We cannot cross over into their new home, but we can go as far as the door with them.

It is hoped that as death draws near, these prayers will give the person confidence in God’s mercy so they can overcome their fears and look forward to a heavenly life and resurrection through the power of Christ, who destroyed the power of death by his own dying. Our Lord is by their side to guide and protect them. The promise of scripture is that God will lead us through the valley of the shadow of death. As we read in Deuteronomy 31:8, “It is the Lord who goes before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed.”

We should rejoice for our loved ones who will soon be in the presence of Christ. As the apostle Paul tells us, though we naturally grieve at losing loved ones, we are not to “grieve like the rest, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Our parting is not the end of our relationship, only an interruption. We will not lose our loved one who is near death, because we know where they will be going. They will experience the joy and love of Christ’s presence in a place so wonderful that Christ called it Paradise. And one day, we’re told, in a magnificent reunion, them and we “shall always be with the Lord. Therefore console one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18).

The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Greeting

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 1:2

We journey with you, (Name) toward your new home. We will go with you as far as the front door. We will help you and pray with you as you pass through this door into your new home in the kingdom of God. Let us walk together in faith and peace, sharing the love we have for (Name).

Penitential Act or Reconciliation

Now let us turn with confidence to the Lord and ask his forgiveness for all our sins.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

Divine Mercy Prayer

Jesus revealed to St. Faustina Kowaska, “At the hour of their death, I defend as My own glory every soul that will say this chaplet; or when others say it for a dying person, the indulgence is the same. When this chaplet is said by the bedside of a dying person,… unfathomable mercy envelops the soul, and the very depths of My tender mercy are moved (Diary, 811).

Now let us pray the Divine Mercy Prayer as Jesus taught St. Faustina:

Eternal Father,
I offer you the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity
of Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
in atonement for our sins,
and those of the whole world.

For the sake of His sorrowful passion,
have mercy on us and on the whole world (repeat 3 times)

Scripture Readings

Note: Scripture texts here and elsewhere in this work are from the New American Bible Revised Edition, a bible translation approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and available on their website. This revised edition is the culmination of nearly 20 years of work by nearly 100 scholars and theologians.

Short Scriptural Texts

What will separate us from the love of Christ? Romans 8:35

We shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? Psalm 27:1

Jesus said, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you.” Matthew 25:34

God said, “I will never forsake you or abandon you.” Hebrews 13:5

They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings. Isaiah 40:31

Longer Scriptural Reading

The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures he makes me lie down;
to still waters he leads me;
he restores my soul.
He guides me along right paths
for the sake of his name.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff comfort me….
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me
all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of the Lord.
Psalm 23

Litany of Saints

Lord have mercy	Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy	Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy	Lord, have mercy
Holy Mary, Mother of God	Pray for him/her
Holy angels of God	Pray for him/her
Abraham, our father in faith	Pray for him/ her
David, leader of God’s people	Pray for him/her
All holy patriarchs and prophets	Pray for him/her
Saint John the Baptist	Pray for him/her
Saint Joseph	Pray for him/her
Saint Peter and Saint Paul	Pray for him/her
Lord, be merciful	Lord, save your people
From all evil	Lord, save your people
From every sin	Lord, save your people
From Satan’s power	Lord, save your people
At the moment of death	Lord, save your people
From everlasting death	Lord, save your people
On the day of judgment	Lord, save your people
By your coming as man	Lord, save your people
By your suffering and cross	Lord, save your people
By your death and rising to new life	Lord, save your people
By your return in glory to the Father	Lord, save your people
By your gift of the Holy Spirit	Lord, save your people
By your coming again in glory	Lord, save your people
Be merciful to us sinners	Lord, hear our prayer
Bring N. to eternal life,
first promised to him (her)in Baptism	Lord, hear our prayer
Raise N. on the last day,
for he (she) has eaten the Bread of life	Lord, hear our prayer
Let N. share in your glory,
for he (she) has shared in
your suffering and death	Lord, hear our prayer
Jesus, Son of the living God	Lord, hear our prayer
Christ, hear us	Christ hear us
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer	Lord Jesus, hear our prayer

The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Prayer of Commendation

Name, child of God,
our companion in faith and sister/brother in Christ,
Go forth, Christian soul, from this world
in the love of God the almighty Father,
who created you,
in the mercy of Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
who suffered and died for you,
in the power of the Holy Spirit,
who was poured out upon you, and strengthens you,
at one with all the faithful, living and departed.
go forth, faithful Christian.

May you rest in peace
and rise in the glory of your eternal home,
forever in the paradise of God.
where grief and misery are banished,
and light and joy abide.
Amen.

Conclude With The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Other Prayers

The Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of Heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into Hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven,
sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty;
from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Glory Be
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.

The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Act of Contrition
“O my God, I am sorry and beg pardon for all my sins, and detest them above all things, because they have crucified my loving Savior Jesus Christ, and, most of all, because they offend your infinite goodness; and I firmly resolve, by the help of your grace, never to offend you again, and carefully to avoid the occasions of sin. Amen.”

Hail Holy Queen
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of mercy,
our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve:
to thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious Advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us,
and after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.

The Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee:
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen

Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, make me holy
Body of Christ, be my salvation
Blood of Christ, let me drink your wine
Water flowing from the side of Christ, wash me clean
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
Kind Jesus, hear my prayer
Hide me within your wounds
And keep me close to you
Defend me from the evil enemy
And call me at the hour of my death
To the fellowship of your saints
That I might sing your praise with them
for all eternity. Amen.

– compiled June 2017