How to pray the Chaplet of the Holy Souls

During the month of November the Church sheds a light on the souls of the faithful departed and asks Catholics to pray for the repose of their souls. Besides the many traditional ways of praying for the holy souls, there exists a Chaplet of the Holy Souls that uses rosary beads as a guide for the prayers.

Little is known about the origin of this particular chaplet, besides the fact that it has been passed down over the centuries. It is a beautiful prayer, one that is short and easy to fit in during the day.

If you are looking for a unique prayer to pray this month dedicated to the Holy Souls, try this chaplet.

How to Pray the Chaplet of the Holy Souls

After making the sign of the cross while holding the crucifix of the rosary, say the Apostles’ Creed.

I believe in God,the Father almighty,Creator of heaven and earth,and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,born of the Virgin Mary,suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died and was buried;he descended into hell;on the third day he rose again from the dead;he ascended into heaven,and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic Church,the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and life everlasting.Amen.

On the first large bead, pray the Our Father.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.

Pray three Hail Marys on the following three beads.

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

At the next large bead, pray the Glory Be.

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.Amen.

On the large beads before each decade pray the following prayer.

O Holy Souls draw the fire of God’s love into my soul, to reveal Jesus Crucified in me here on earth, rather than hereafter in Purgatory.

Then on the small beads pray this prayer.

Crucified Lord Jesus, have mercy on the souls in Purgatory.

At the conclusion of the chaplet, pray 3 Glory Be prayers.