A Prayer by Mother Teresa
Lord, help us to see in your crucifixion and resurrection an example of how to endure and seemingly to die in the agony and conflict of daily life, so that we may live more fully and creatively. You accepted patiently and humbly the rebuffs of human life, as well as the tortures of your crucifixion and passion. Help us to accept the pains and conflicts that come to us each day as opportunities to grow as people and become more like you. Enable us to go through them patiently and bravely, trusting that you will support us. Make us realize that it is only by frequent deaths of ourselves and our self- centered desires that we can come to live more fully; for it is only by dying with you that we can rise with you.
Extreme or Terminal Illness
Lord Jesus Christ, You choose to share our human nature, to redeem all people, and to heal the sick. With this in mind I beg you to look with compassion on your humble servant ——-, support them with your power, comfort them with your protection, and give them the strength needed to fight against evil. Since you have given ——, a share in your own passion, help them to find hope in suffering, for you Jesus.
A Prayer for the Dying
Most Merciful Jesus, lover of souls, I pray Thee, by the agony of Thy Most Sacred Heart and by the sorrows of Thine Immaculate Mother, to wash in Thy Most Precious Blood the sinners of the world who are now in their agony, and who will die today. Heart of Jesus, once in agony, have mercy on the dying. Amen.
Plenary Indulgence at the Hour of Death
My Lord God, even now resignedly and willingly, I accept at Thy hand, with all its anxieties, pains, and sufferings, whatever kind of death it shall please Thee to be mine.
by a decree of the Congregation of Indulgences of 9 March 1904, His Holiness Pope Pius X, has granted a plenary indulgence at the moment of death to all the faithful who, on any day they may choose, will receive the sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist and make this act for the love of God.
Prayer for a Happy Death
O God, great and omnipotent judge of the living and the dead, we are to appear before You after this short life to render an account of our works. Give us the grace to prepare for our last hour by a devout and holy life, and protect us against a sudden and unprovided death. Let us remember our frailty and mortality, that we may always live in the ways of Your commandments. Teach us to “watch and pray” (Luke 21, 36), that when Your summons comes for our departure from this world, we may go forth to meet You, experience a merciful judgment, and rejoice in everlasting happiness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for the Sick near Death
Almighty and Everlasting God, preserver of souls, who dost correct those whom Thou dost love, and for their betterment dost tenderly chastise those whom Thou dost receive, we call upon Thee, O Lord, to grant Thy healing, that the soul of Thy servant, at the hour of its departure from the body, may by the hands of Thy holy Angels be presented without spot unto Thee. Amen.
To Our Lord for a Happy Death
Lord Jesus Christ, who willest that no man should perish, and to whom petition is never made without the hope of mercy, for Thou saidst with Thine own holy and blessed lips: “All things whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, shall be done unto you”; I beg of Thee, O Lord, for Thy holy Name’s sake, to grant me at the hour of my death full consciousness and the power of speech, sincere contrition for my sins, true faith, firm hope and perfect charity, that I may be able to say unto Thee with a clean heart: Thou has redeemed me, O God of truth, who art blessed for ever and ever. Amen.
From Father Pat’s Place
Prayers To Recite With The Dying Person
The following are some of the prayers that may be recited with the dying person, alternating with times of silence. Sometimes, the same prayer should be repeated many times. When the dying person cannot take part, those who are present continue to pray. The Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be are appropriate. The dying person may be signed on the forehead with the cross, as was done at baptism.
A priest or clergy person may be called. Anointing of the Sick, the Sacrament of God’s strength, healing and forgiveness may be given. The entire family may join with the priest as the person is Anointed. This Sacrament is not just given when death is imminent, but when the person has a serious condition and is in need of that healing. The Sacrament may be given again as the illness enters another stage, as surgery is anticipated or when death seems nearer.
The sick or dying person may be signed on the forehead with the cross, as was done at Baptism.
Short Texts
What will separate us from the love of Christ? Romans 8:35
Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. Romans 14:8
We shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17
To you I lift up my soul, O Lord. Psalm 25:1
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Even though I walk in the dark valley,
I fear no evil; for you are at my side. Psalm 23:4
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Psalm 31:5a
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Luke 23:42
Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Acts 7:59
Holy Mary, pray for me.
Saint Joseph, Pray for me.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
assist me in my last agony.
Scripture Readings
Among many appropriate scripture readings are the following: Job 19:23-27; Psalm 23, Psalm 25, Psalm 91; Psalm 121; 1 John 4:16; Revelation 21:1-7; Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 22:39-46; Luke 23:44-49; Luke 24:1-8; John 6:37-40; John 14:1 6, 23, 27.
Prayers of Commendation
As the time of death approaches, this prayer may be said.
Go forth, Christian soul, from this world
in the name of God the almighty Father, who created you,
in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who suffered for you,
in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out upon you,
May you live in peace this day,
may your home be with God in Zion,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with Joseph and all the angels and saints.
Prayers after Death
The following prayers may be prayed immediately after death
and may be repeated in the hours that follow.
Saints of God, come to his/her aid!
Come to meet him/her, angels of the Lord!
[Response] Receive his/her soul and present him/her to God the Most High.
May Christ, who called you, take you to himself;
may angels lead you to Abraham’s side.
[Response] Receive . . .
Give him/her eternal rest, O Lord,
and may your light shine on him/her for ever.
[Response] Receive . . .
Let us Pray.
All-powerful and merciful God,
we commend to you, N., your servant.
In your mercy and love,
blot out all the sins he/she has committed through human weakness.
In this world he/ she has died: let him/her live with you for ever.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
AMEN.
These verses may also be used.
V/.Eternal rest grant unot 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.
To Our Lord for a Happy Death
Lord Jesus Christ, who willest that no man should perish, and to whom petition is never made without the hope of mercy, for Thou saidst with Thine own holy and blessed lips: “All things whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, shall be done unto you”; I beg of Thee, O Lord, for Thy holy Name’s sake, to grant me at the hour of my death full consciousness and the power of speech, sincere contrition for my sins, true faith, firm hope and perfect charity, that I may be able to say unto Thee with a clean heart: Thou has redeemed me, O God of truth, who art blessed for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer For a Dying Person
May Christ Who was crucified for your sake
free you from excruciating pain. May Christ Who died for you free you from the death that never ends.
May Christ the Son of the living God, set you in the ever green loveliness of His Paradise, and may He, the true Shepherd recognize you as one of His own.
May you see your Redeemer face to face and standing in His presence forever, may you see with joyful eyes Truth revealed in all its fullness.
Amen.
Prayer for the Sick near Death
Almighty and Everlasting God, preserver of souls, who dost correct those whom Thou dost love, and for their betterment dost tenderly chastise those whom Thou dost receive, we call upon Thee, O Lord, to grant Thy healing, that the soul of Thy servant, at the hour of its departure from the body, may by the hands of Thy holy Angels be presented without spot unto Thee. Amen.
Prayer for the Dying
Most merciful Jesus, lover of souls, I pray you by the agony of your most sacred heart, and by the sorrows of your Immaculate mother, to wash in your most Precious Blood the sinners of the world who are now in their agony, and who will die today.
Heart of Jesus, once in agony, have mercy on the dying.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. Assist me in my last agony, and grant that I may breath forth my soul in peace with you. Amen.
There once was a Pope in Rome who was surrounded by many sins. The Lord God struck him with a fatal illness. When he saw that he was dying he summoned Cardinals, Bishops and learned persons and said to them: “My dear friends! What comfort can you give me now that I must die, and when I deserve eternal damnation for my sins?” No one answered him. One of thorn, a pious curate named John, said: “Father, why do you doubt the Mercy of God?” The Pope replied: ‘What comfort can you give me now that I must die and fear that I’ll be damned for my sins?” John replied: “I’ll read three prayers over you; I hope, you’ll be comforted and that you’ll obtain Mercy from God” The Pope was unable to say more. The curate and all those present knelt and said an Our Father, then the following Prayers:
1. Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ! Thou Son of God and Son of the Virgin Mary, God and Man, Thou who in fear sweated blood for us on the Mount of Olives in order to bring peace, and to offer Thy Most Holy Death to God Thy Heavenly Father for the salvation of this dying person …… If it be, however, that by his sins he merits eternal damnation, then may it be deflected from him. This, 0 Eternal Father through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Dear Son, Who liveth and reigneth in union with The Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen
2. Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ! Thou Who meekly died on the trunk of the Cross for us, submitting Thy Will completely to Thy Heavenly Father in order to bring peace and to offer Thy most Holy Death to Thy Heavenly Father in order to free ……(this person) … and to hide from him what he has earned with his sins; grant this 0 Eternal Father! Through Our Lord Jesus Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in union with the Holy Spirit now and forever. Amen.
3. Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ! Thou Who remained silent to speak through the mouths of the Prophets: I have drawn Thee to me through Eternal Love, which Love drew Thee from Heaven into the body of The Virgin, which Love drew Thee from the body of The Virgin into the valley of this needful world, which Love kept Thee 33 years in this world, and as a sign of Great Love, Thou hast given Thy Holy Body as True Food and Thy Holy Blood as True Drink, as a sign of Great Love, Thou has consented to be a prisoner and to be led from one judge to another and as a sign of Great Love Thou hast consented to be condemned to death, and hast consented to die and to be buried and truly risen, and appeared to Thy Holy Mother and all the Holy Apostles, and as a sign of Great Love Thou hast ascended, under Thy own Strength and Power, and sitteth at the Right Hand of God Thy Heavenly Father, and Thou has sent Thy Holy Spirit into the hearts of Thy Apostles and the hearts of all who hope and believe in Thee. Through Thy Sign of Eternal Love, open Heaven today and take this dying person ……. and all his sins into the Realm of Thy Heavenly Father, that he may reign with Thee now and forever. Amen.
Meanwhile the Pope died The curate persevered to the third hour, then the Pope appeared to him in body and com forting him; his countenence as brilliant as the sun, his clothes as white as snow, and he said: “My dear brother! Whereas I was supposed to be a child of damnation I’ve become a child of happiness. As you recited the firs first Prayer many of my sins fell from me as rain from Heaven, and as you recited the second Prayer I was purified, as a goldsmith purifies gold in a hot fire. I was still further purified as you recited the third Prayer. Then I saw Heaven open and the Lord Jesus standing on the Right Hand of God the Father Who said to me: “‘Come, all thy sins are forgiven thee, you’ll be and remain in the Realm of My Father forever. Amen!” With these words my soul separated from my body and the Angels of God led it to Eternal Joy. As the curate heard this he said: “0 Holy Father! I can’t tell these things to anyone, for they won’t believe me.” Then the Pope said: “Truly I tell thee, the Angel of God stands with me and has written the prayers in letters of gold for the consolement of all sinners. If a person had committed all the sins in the world, but that the three Prayers shall have been read (over him) at his end (death), all his sins will be forgiven him, even though his soul was supposed to suffer until the Last Judgment, it will be redeemed (freed).
The person who hears them read, he won’t die an unhappy death, also in whose house they will be read Therefore take these prayers and carry them into St. Peter’s Basilica and lay them in the Chapel named the Assumption of Mary, for certain consolation. . The person who will be near death, who reads them or hears them read gains 400 years indulgence for the days he was supposed to suffer in Purgatory because of his guilt. Also who reads this Prayer or hears it read, the hour of his death shall be revealed to him. Amen!
AN ACT OF CONTRITION
Oh my God, I am heartily sorry for all my sins because of them I deserve the eternal pains of hell, but most of all because I have offended Thee my God who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, to avoid the proximate occasion of sin and never to sin anymore. Amen.
Prayers for the Sick — Christian
Merciful God,
You have given (name) life
and surrounded (her/him) with love.
Place your “healing hand” on (name).
You have been faithful in the past.
Give us all hope in this time of trial,
and send your Spirit of Acceptance.
Bless (name) as (s/he) suffers
with Jesus the Christ
now and for ever.
Amen
Jesus, our Redeemer,
You came to live among us.
You suffered and died on a cross
for our sins.
Accept the suffering of (name) today.
Bless (her/him) with patience
and courage to suffer with You.
We ask this in the name of the Father
and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
God, our Creator,
You have given (name) the breath of life.
Help (her/him) know Your loving care.
Amen
Faithful God of the ages,
You are close to us
even when it does not feel like it.
Help (name) to know Your loving care.
Amen
Jesus, our Savior,
Be with (name) in this suffering.
You endured the betrayal of friends
for our sake.
Your broken heart was humiliated
that others might have eternal life.
Give us faith in the midst
of this mystery of suffering.
Amen
Prayers for the Sick — Non-Christian
Blest are you, Lord God.
You have generously given us life
and have power to take it away.
May even this hour of suffering
find a way to praise You.
Bless us with a patient heart
remaining ever faithful and true.
Bless us with peace
both now and forever.
Amen
Prayers for the Dying — Christian
Compassionate God of love,
You know us and call us by name.
Be with (name) as the time for passing
from earth to heaven seems near.
Replace our fear, facing the mystery of life
with faith in Your divine care for us.
Give (her/him) peace of mind and heart.
Soften any pain and suffering
with Your gentle healing hand.
We ask this through Jesus, the Christ,
who suffered and died for us.
Amen
Jesus, I am now going to sleep.
Send Your fourteen Angels
to guard and keep me.
Two Angels to the right, two to the left.
Two Angels by my head, two by my feet.
Two Angels above, and two below me.
Two Angels to carry me to paradise
where Saints and Angels
gloriously sing God’s praises.
Amen
God loves you, (name).
God sends holy angels to be with you.
You have lived a long (and full) life.
We thank and praise God for you,
your family and friends.
May the Lord God give you spiritual strength
and bless you with peace.
Amen
God of Life and Love,
You are ever near, yet hidden in mystery.
Bless (name) who has just
passed from earth to heaven.
Bless (her/him) with happiness
and grant (her/him) eternal rest.
Help family members and all who have cared.
Give them comfort and strength
to bear this loss.
Amen
Prayers for the Dying — Non-Christian
God of all Creation,
Be with us now
and at the hour of our death.
Shelter us from harms’ way
and lead us on the path to eternal life.
Receive our life,
all that we are, and everything we do.
May the Angel of Mercy stay near us
this day and always.
Amen
http://www.catholictradition.org/prayer-index.htm#DYING
The Guild of Catholic doctors website is an EXCELLENT source for Catholic prayers.
