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40th day prayer for the dead

The 40th day prayer for the dead is one of the spiritual and ritualistic practices commonly practiced among many Filipinos. It is a strong sign of respect and adherence to a religious tradition based on filial piety. Filipinos would memorize the 40th day prayer to be recited during or after a family member’s funeral, or during the 40th day after their death. A lot of families consider this practice as a very significant tradition, which, in return, bolsters their own spirituality.

God our Father,
Your power brings us to birth,
Your providence guides our lives,
and by Your command we return to dust.

Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,
their lives change but do not end.
I pray in hope for my family,
relatives and friends,
and for all the dead known to You alone.

In company with Christ,
Who died and now lives,
may they rejoice in Your kingdom,
where all our tears are wiped away.
Unite us together again in one family,
to sing Your praise forever and ever.

Amen.

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Day Twenty-Three – The Sentence of Death - 40 Days at the Foot of the Cross

40th day prayer for the dead

First Glorious Mystery
THE RESURRECTION
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the third day after his passion and death, rose again in glory, victorious over death and never to die again.

Prayer Intentions

That all who are dying might join themselves with Christ who died and rose for them
For those who do not believe

Our Father…
O Holy Mary, hear the cries of those who are dying of AIDS…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, with a mother’s care look gently on those who suffer with cancer…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, cradle the bodies broken with cares of this world…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, intercede for those imprisoned by selfishness and sin…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, remember those locked in their homes by fear…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, look with love on those whose minds betray them…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, hear the cry of those who wake to pain…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, stand by those who care for people who have grown old…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, comfort those must bury their loved one today…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, stand vigil by those who are about to die…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
Glory be to the Father, to the father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…


Second Glorious Mystery
THE ASCENSION
Our Lord Jesus Christ, forty days after his Resurrection, ascended into heaven with triumph and great glory, in the sight of his most holy mother and all his disciples.

Prayer Intentions

For run-aways, throw-aways and children who live on the street

For all who have lost faith

Our Father…
O Holy Mary, hear the cries of those who mourn the dead…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, with a mother’s care look gently on parents who bury their children…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, cradle the lives of those addicted or imprisoned…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, intercede for those who seek to live the Gospel of Life…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, remember those who have left home…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, look with love on young mothers who are afraid…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, hear the prayers of those who seek to make our country just…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, stand by those who fear their growing old…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, lead the children who are lost home to those who love them…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, embrace the orphan and the widow with your love..
Hail Mary, full of grace…
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit…


Third Glorious Mystery
PENTECOST
Our Lord Jesus Christ, sitting at the right hand of the Father, sent the Holy Spirit into the upper chamber where the apostles were gathered together, with the most Holy Virgin Mary.

Prayer Intentions

For those whose lives are given in the defense of life

For all who study and preach the Gospel of Life

Our Father…
O Holy Mary, hear the cries of those who accept the call to fatherhood…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, with a mother’s care guide all young women in love and in the truth…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, cradle the bodies of those who are dying in pain…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, intercede for those who seek to be good parents…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, remember the children of those who are dying…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, hear the cry of those whom we have forgotten…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, pray for all doctors that they may embrace a spirit of life…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, stand by those who are in despair…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, guide those tempted by sin and death…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, inspire all women by your example of faith…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.


Fourth Glorious Mystery
ASSUMPTION OF MARY
The Most Holy Virgin, twelve years after the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, passed from this life, and was assumed by the angels into heaven.

Prayer Intentions

That those who have gone before us in faith might rest in the Lord

For babies who have died through abortion

Our Father…
O Holy Mary, hear the cries of the mother whose child has been aborted…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, with a mother’s care strengthen those who have grown weak with age…
Hail Mary, full of grace..
O Holy Mary, cradle the children who have died through our neglect…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, intercede for those abused or forgotten…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, remember those imprisoned by selfishness or sin…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, look with love on those who long for heaven…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, hear the prayers of doctors who seek to heal…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, stand by those who work to save the weakest and littlest among us…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy, Mary, intercede for all who love life and work to protect it…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, Teach us by your life to embrace Christ your son…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…


Fifth Glorious Mystery
CORONATION OF MARY
The Most Holy Virgin was crowned in heaven by her divine Son as the saints rejoiced in glory around her throne.

Prayer Intentions

For all mothers, that they come to know the wonder of their vocation

For all who are homeless, broken or afraid

Our Father…
O Holy Mary, hear the cries of those who long for heaven…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, with a mother’s care lead the dying gently home…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, walk with those who seek the way home to your Son…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, intercede for those who pray to you today…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, remember those who lead and govern us…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, look with love on those who honor the name of your Son…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, send an angel to protect all who are lost…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, pray for the conversion of all who take life by violence…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, intercede with your son for all who have lost their way…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
O Holy Mary, walk closely with us in our search for the truth…
Hail Mary, full of grace…
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit…

40 days after death message

In Filipino Catholicism, the 9th and 40th days are significant after the death of a loved one. For 9 days after the death, the family recites prayers. In Filipino tradition, the name for this is “pasiyam” which means “that which is done for 9 days.”

Where did these beliefs come from, especially considering how many Catholics don’t believe in the 40th-day tradition? Because the Spanish colonized the Philippines, there was a lot of mixing of beliefs and traditions. Today, most Filipino families follow Catholic funeral traditions.

According to ancient beliefs, the deceased’s soul stays on Earth for up to 9 days after the death. During this time, the family gathers for prayers and a celebratory meal in honor of the deceased. On the 40th day, a rosary is said. This is a way to protect the soul of the departed as they finalize their place in the afterlife. All of these traditions are a way to help with mourning the loss of a loved one and you’ll see them displayed at some Filipino funerals.

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