Collects for the Dead

Of the following Collects, the appropriate one is said: and thereafter, V. Requiem æternam as given below for the end of the Office.

If the body be absent, the Officiant says the following Collect (which same is said in the singular number, or in the plural, as occasion demands).

Said on the day of burial only if the body be absent

Oratio          Orémus.
Absólve, quæsumus, Dómine, ánimam fámuli tui N. (fámulæ tuæ N.), ut defúnctus (-a) sæculo tibi vivat : et, quæ per fragilitátem carnis humána conversatióne commísit, tu vénia misericordíssimæ pietátis abstérge.  Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum, Fílium tuum : qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Collect          Let us pray.
Absolve, O Lord, we pray thee, the soul(s) of thy servant(s) N. from every bond of sin, that though they (he, she) may be dead unto the world, yet they (he, she) may live unto thee : and that whatsoever sins they (he, she) may have committed through the frailty of the flesh in their (his, her) earthly conversation may be done away by the pardon of thy most merciful loving-kindness.  Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
R.  Amen.

Said on the day of burial only if the body be present

Oratio          Orémus.
Deus, cui próprium est miseréri semper et párcere, te súpplices exorámus pro ánima fámuli tui N. (fámulæ tuæ N.), quam hódie de hoc sæculo migráre jussísti : ut non tradas eam in manus inimíci, neque obliviscáris in finem, sed júbeas eam a sanctis Angelis súscipi, et ad pátriam paradísi perdúci; ut, quia in te sperávit et crédidit, non pœnas inférni sustíneat, sed gáudia ætérna possídeat.  Per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum, Fílium tuum : qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

Collect          Let us pray.
O God, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive, receive our humble petitions for the soul(s) of thy servant(s) (or handmaid(s) N., which thou hast commanded to depart out of this world : deliver them (him, her) not into the hand of the enemy, neither forsake them (him, her) at the last ; but command them (him, her) to be received by the holy Angels, and brought to the country of paradise ; that forasmuch as they (he, she) hoped and believed in thee, they (he, she) may not undergo the pains of hell, but be made partaker(s) of everlasting felicity.  Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord.  Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
R.  Amen.

On the third, seventh, and thirtieth day after the burial of the deceased

Oratio          Orémus.
Quæsumus, Dómine, ut ánimæ fámuli tui N. (fámulæ tuæ N.,) cujus depositiónis diem tértium (vel séptimum, vel trigésimum) commemorámus, Sanctorum atque electórum tuórum largíri dignéris consórtium ; et rorem misericórdiæ tuæ perénnem infúndas.  Per Dóminum.

Collect          Let us pray.
We beseech thee, O Lord, that the soul of thy servant N., whom three (or seven or thirty) days since we did commit unto the ground : may be made partaker of the fellowship of thine elect; and that thou wouldest pour upon him (her) the continual dew of thy mercy.  Through.

At the Year's-Mind

Oratio          Orémus.
Deus, indulgentiárum Dómine : da ánimæ fámuli tui N. (fámulæ tuæ N., vel animábus famulórum famularúmque tuárum) cujus (quorum) anniversárium depositiónis diem commemorámus, refrigérii sedem, quiétis beatitúdinem, et lúminis claritátem.  Per Dóminum nostrum.

Collect          Let us pray.
O God, to whom alone belongeth the forgiveness of sins : grant, we pray thee, to the soul of thy servant(s) (or handmaid(s)), whose Year's-Mind we now keep, a place of rest and refreshment, peace and blessing, light and glory.  Through.

For a Sovereign Pontiff Departed

Oratio          Orémus.
Deus, qui inter summos sacerdótes fámulum tuum N.  ineffábili tua dispositióne connumerári voluísti : præsta, quæsumus ; ut qui Unigéniti Fílii tui vices in terris gerébat, sanctórum tuórum Pontíficum consórtio perpétuo aggregétur.  Per eúmdem Dóminum.

Collect          Let us pray.
O God, who of thy unspeakable providence didst vouchsafe to call thy servant N. to the number of thy high priests : grant, we beseech thee, that like as he did fulfil on earth the office of thine only-begotten Son, so he may evermore be numbered in the fellowship of them that therein have served thee faithfully.  Through the same.

For a Bishop Departed

Oratio          Orémus.
Deus, qui inter apostólicos sacerdótes fámulum tuum N. (fámulos tuos N. et N.) pontificáli fecísti dignitáte vigére : præsta, quæsumus ; ut eórum quoque perpétuo aggregétur (aggregéntur) consórtio.  Per Dóminum.

Collect          Let us pray.
O God, who in the ranks of the Apostolic Priesthood didst cause thy servant N. (thy servants N. and N.) to stand before thee in the high place of Bishop : grant, we beseech thee, that he (they) may be joined unto the company of such in everlasting blessedness.  Through.

For a Cardinal Bishop Departed

Oratio          Orémus.
Deus, qui inter apostólicos sacerdótes fámulum tuum N. Epíscopum Cardinálem pontificáli fecísti dignitáte vigére : præsta, quæsumus ; ut eórum quoque perpétuo aggregétur (aggregéntur) consórtio.  Per Dóminum.

Collect          Let us pray.
O God, who in the ranks of the Apostolic Priesthood didst cause thy servant N. (thy servants N. and N.) to stand before thee in the high place of Cardinal Bishop : grant, we beseech thee, that he (they) may be joined unto the company of such in everlasting blessedness.  Through.

For a Cardinal Priest Departed who had been consecrated Bishop

Oratio          Orémus.
Deus, qui inter apostólicos sacerdótes fámulum tuum N. Presbyterum Cardinálem pontificáli fecísti dignitáte vigére : præsta, quæsumus ; ut eórum quoque perpétuo aggregétur (aggregéntur) consórtio.  Per Dóminum.

Collect          Let us pray.
O God, who in the ranks of the Apostolic Priesthood didst cause thy servant N. (thy servants N. and N.) to stand before thee in the high place of Cardinal Priest : grant, we beseech thee, that he (they) may be joined unto the company of such in everlasting blessedness.  Through.

For a Cardinal Priest Departed who had not been consecrated Bishop

Oratio          Orémus.
Deus, qui inter apostólicos sacerdótes fámulum tuum N. Presbyterum Cardinálem sacerdotáli fecísti dignitáte vigére : præsta, quæsumus ; ut eórum quoque perpétuo aggregétur (aggregéntur) consórtio.  Per Dóminum.

Collect          Let us pray.
O God, who in the ranks of the Apostolic Priesthood didst cause thy servant N. (thy servants N. and N.) to stand before thee in the high place of Cardinal Priest : grant, we beseech thee, that he (they) may be joined unto the company of such in everlasting blessedness.  Through.

For a Cardinal Deacon Departed who had been ordained Priest

Oratio          Orémus.
Deus, qui inter apostólicos sacerdótes fámulum tuum N. Diáconum Cardinálem sacerdotáli fecísti dignitáte vigére : præsta, quæsumus ; ut eórum quoque perpétuo aggregétur (aggregéntur) consórtio.  Per Dóminum.

Collect          Let us pray.
O God, who in the ranks of the Apostolic Priesthood didst cause thy servant N. (thy servants N. and N.) to stand before thee in the high place of Cardinal Deacon : grant, we beseech thee, that he (they) may be joined unto the company of such in everlasting blessedness.  Through.

For a Cardinal Deacon Departed who had not been ordained Priest

Oratio          Orémus.
Inclína, Dómine, aurem tuam ad preces nostras, quibus misericórdiam tuam súpplices deprecámur : ut ánimam fámuli tui N. Diáconi Cardinális, quam de hoc sæculo migráre jussísti, in pacis ac lucis regióne constítuas, et Sanctórum tuórum júbeas esse consórtem.  Per Dóminum.

Collect          Let us pray.
Incline thine ear, O Lord, unto the prayers whereby we humbly call upon thee to shew mercy unto the soul of thy servant and Cardinal Deacon N. which it hath pleased thee to call out of this world, that it may please thee also to set him in the abode of peace and light, and make partaker of the fellowship of thine elect.  Through.

For a Priest Departed

Oratio          Orémus.
Deus, qui inter apostólicos sacerdótes fámulum tuum N. (fámulos tuos N. et N.) sacerdotáli fecísti dignitáte vigére : præsta, quæsumus ; ut eórum quoque perpétuo aggregétur (aggregéntur) consórtio.  Per Dóminum.

Collect          Let us pray.
O God, who in the ranks of the Apostolic Priesthood didst cause thy servant N. (thy servants N. and N.) to stand before thee in the high place of Priest : grant, we beseech thee, that he (they) may be joined unto the company of such in everlasting blessedness.  Through.

Another Collect for a Priest Departed

Oratio          Orémus.
Præsta, quæsumus, Dómine : ut ánima fámuli tui N. Sacerdótis, quem, in hoc sæculo commorántem, sacris munéribus decorásti, in cælésti sede gloriósa semper exsúltet.  Per Dóminum.

Collect          Let us pray.
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that the soul of thy servant N., whom, whilst he lived in this world, thou didst adorn with the holy office of thy Priesthood, may evermore rejoice in the glory of heavenly felicity.  Through.

Oratio          Orémus.
Inclína, Dómine, aurem tuam ad preces nostras, quibus misericórdiam tuam súpplices deprecámur : ut ánimam fámuli tui N., quam de hoc sæculo migráre jussísti, in pacis ac lucis regióne constítuas, et Sanctórum tuórum júbeas esse consórtem.  Per Dóminum.

Collect          Let us pray.
Incline thine ear, O Lord, unto the prayers whereby we humbly call upon thee to shew mercy unto the soul of thy servant N. which it hath pleased thee to call out of this world, that it may please thee also to set him in the abode of peace and light, and make partaker of the fellowship of thine elect.  Through.

For a Woman Departed

Oratio          Orémus.
Quæsumus, Dómine, pro tua pietáte miserére ánimæ fámulæ tuæ N. : et a contágiis mortalitátis exútam, in ætérnæ salvatiónis partem restítue.  Per Dóminum.

Collect          Let us pray.
We beseech thee, O Lord, of thy loving-kindness, to have mercy upon the soul of this thy handmaid N. : that, being purged from all the defilements whereby in this dying body she hath been defouled, she may be restored to her inheritance in everlasting salvation.  Through.

For Dead Brethren, Kinsfolk, and Benefactors

Oratio          Orémus.
Deus, véniæ largítor et humánæ salútis amátor : quæsumus cleméntiam tuam  ; ut nostræ congregatiónis fratres, propínquos et benefactóres, qui ex hoc sæculo transiérunt, beáta María semper Vírgine intercedénte cum ómnibus Sanctis tuis, ad perpétuæ beatitúdinis consórtium perveníre concédas.  Per Dóminum.

Collect          Let us pray.
O God, who desirest not the death of a sinner but rather that all mankind should be saved : we beseech thee mercifully to grant that the brethren, kinsfolk, and benefactors of our congregation, who have passed out of this world, may by the intercession of blessed Mary Ever-Virgin and of all thy Saints come to enjoy with them everlasting blessedness.  Through.

Oratio          Orémus.
Deus qui nos patrem et matrem honoráre præcipísti : miserére cleménter animábus patris et matris meæ, (ánimæ patris mei (vel nostri) (ánimæ matris meæ (vel nostræ) eorúmque (ejúsque) peccáta dimítte ; meque eos (eum, eam) in ætérnæ claritátis gáudio fac vidére.  Per Dóminum.

Collect          Let us pray.
O God, who didst command thy people saying : Honour thy father and thy mother : of thy loving-kindness have mercy on the soul(s) of my father (and my mother) and forgive them (him, her) all their (his, her) sins ; and I humbly pray thee that thou wouldest grant unto me to behold their faces (his, her face) in the glory of eternal felicity.  Through.

Oratio          Orémus.
Deus qui nos patrem et matrem honoráre præcipísti : miserére cleménter animábus paréntum nostrórum, eorúmque peccáta dimítte ; nosque eos in ætérnæ claritátis gáudio fac vidére.  Per Dóminum.

Collect          Let us pray.
O God, who didst command thy people saying : Honour thy father and thy mother : of thy loving-kindness have mercy on the souls of our parents and forgive them all their sins ; and we humbly pray thee that thou wouldest grant unto us to behold their faces in the glory of eternal felicity.  Through.

In the Office for the Dead throughout the year

Oratio          Orémus.
Deus, qui inter apostólicos sacerdótes fámulos tuos pontificáli seu sacerdotáli fecísti dignitáte vigére : præsta, quæsumus ; ut eórum quoque perpétuo aggregéntur consórtio.

Collect          Let us pray.
O God, who didst cause thy servants, for whom we pray, to enjoy the dignity of the priesthood, and some to be bishops, after the order of thine Apostles : grant unto them, we beseech thee, finally to rejoice in the company of those Saints in heaven whose ministry they did sometime share on earth.

Deus, véniæ largítor et humánæ salútis amátor : quæsumus cleméntiam tuam  ; ut nostræ congregatiónis fratres, propínquos et benefactóres, qui ex hoc sæculo transiérunt, beáta María semper Vírgine intercedénte cum ómnibus Sanctis tuis, ad perpétuæ beatitúdinis consórtium perveníre concédas.

O God, who desirest not the death of a sinner but rather that all mankind should be saved : we beseech thee mercifully to grant that the brethren, kinsfolk, and benefactors of our congregation, who have passed out of this world, may by the intercession of blessed Mary Ever-Virgin and of all thy Saints come to enjoy with them everlasting blessedness.

Fidélium, Deus, ómnium cónditor et redémptor, animábus famulórum famularúmque tuárum remissiónem cunctórum tríbue peccatórum : ut indulgéntiam, quam semper optavérunt, piis supplicatiónibus consequántur : Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sæcula sæculórum.
R.  Amen.

V.  Réquiem ætérnam dona eis, Dómine.
R.  Et lux perpétua luceat eis.

V.  Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R.  And let perpetual light shine upon them.

Office of the Dead