how often to pray for the dead
"Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of Himself. As gold in the furnace, He proved them, and as sacrificial offerings He took them to Himself." —Wisdom 3:5-6
The Lord has made it clear through various Jewish traditions (see 2 Mc 12:43-44), the early Church (see Mt 12:32), and the Church Fathers that we should pray for some of those who have died. Because the Church prays for the dead at Mass each day, it is safe to say that the Holy Spirit leads us to pray daily for the dead. However, we need to ask the Holy Spirit how often each day we should pray for the dead. It is important to serve the dead as much as the Lord wills because they depend on us greatly and our prayers make a great difference for them.
St. Augustine preached: "There is no sort of doubt that the dead are helped by the prayers of Holy Church and the sacrifice of salvation and by alms" (Sermon 172). St. Augustine exhorted us to show "solicitude and care and zeal in offering up for them those things which help the spirits of the departed — alms and prayers and supplications" (ibid).
Pray for the dead daily and as frequently as the Lord wills. "Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen."
Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me in my weakness for I do not know how to pray for the dead as I ought (see Rm 8:26).
Promise: "He will give a new form to this lowly body of ours and remake it according to the pattern of His glorified body." —Phil 3:21
Praise: Mary continues to honor her deceased parents by remembering them in her prayers.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Richard L. Klug, April 10, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 18, 2002