Our Mill Hill Constitution states: In charity we pray for one another, both for those who are living and for those who have died. We also pray in gratitude for all those who help and support us in our missionary apostolate. In our communities we pray for living Members, Associates and benefactors during the month of June, and in November we pray for deceased Members, Associates and benefactors. We also pray during the Holy Eucharist, in accordance with our status, for any Member or Associate who has died. C19
Praying for the Dead
Praying for the dead is a practice shared by many religious traditions, not only Catholics. Almost all Christians include prayers for those who have passed away. This tradition even goes back to ancient Jewish customs, which began before the time of Christ and continue in Jewish communities today.
One example from the Bible is found in the book of 2 Maccabees, where Judah Maccabee and his soldiers prayed for their fallen comrades after finding they wore forbidden amulets. This prayer was to ask God to forgive their sins (2 Macc. 12:42). It shows an early example of praying for the dead among Jews—a practice still seen in the Mourner’s Kaddish prayer used today.
In the New Testament, there is a possible example of praying for the dead. The Apostle Paul prays for a man named Onesiphorus, asking God to “grant him mercy” on the final Day of Judgment (2 Tim. 1:18). Some scholars believe this indicates that Onesiphorus had passed away, suggesting that Paul’s prayer was meant for the deceased.
Even some Protestants pray for their loved ones who have passed. C.S. Lewis, a well-known Christian writer, expressed that praying for the dead was natural and comforting. He felt it was hard to stop asking God to care for those he loved, even if they were no longer alive.
Praying for the dead is a common way people express love and care for their family and friends, hoping they find peace beyond this life.
Source: Catholic Answers
