November 2, commemoration of the dead, origins and prayers

Tomorrow, November 2, the Church commemorates the defuncti.

La commemoration of the dead - 'party of reparation' towards those who have no altars - it is due in 998 to the initiative of Sant'Odilone, abbot of Cluny.

This institution does not in itself represent a new fact for the Church, which already used to celebrate the commemoration of the dead on the day following the feast of all Saints.

What matters, however, is that a hundred monasteries that depend on that of Cluny contribute to the spread of this celebration in many parts of northern Europe. So much so that in 1311, even Rome officially sanctions the memory of the dead.

The recurrence is preceded by a nine-day period of preparation and prayer in suffrage for the dead: the so-called novena for the dead, which begins on 24 October. The possibility of acquiring a partial or plenary indulgence, according to the indications of the Catholic Church, is connected to the commemoration of the dead.

In Italy, although many consider it to be a public holiday, the commemoration of the dead has never been officially established as a civil holiday.

PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD

O God, almighty and eternal, Lord of the living and the dead, full of mercy towards all your creatures, grant forgiveness and peace to all our deceased brothers, because immersed in your bliss they praise you without end. For Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please, Lord, for all the relatives, friends, acquaintances who have left us over the years. For those who have had faith in you in life, who have placed all hope in you, who have loved you, but also for those who have understood nothing of you and who have looked for you in a wrong way and to whom you finally revealed yourself as you really are: mercy and love without limits. Lord, let us all come together one day to celebrate with you in Paradise. Amen.