The Beads of the Dead chaplet is a prayer in memory of the forty hours between Christ’s death and resurrection, often prayed on behalf of a loved one. You will need a special chaplet with four decades. The chaplet would make a beautiful gift for someone who is grieving the loss of a family member or close friend.
The Chaplet for the Dead contains 45 beads. It begins with the Crucifix, 5 introductory beads and 4 sets of 10 beads (40 beads). This Chaplet has no medal. The 40 beads are in memory of the 40 hours which Our Lord is thought to have spent in Limbo.
The Beads of the Dead Chaplet:
Introductory Prayer – The De profundis (Psalm 130):
Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord; Lord hear my voice. Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If Thou, O Lord, shalt observe iniquities; Lord, who shall endure it? For with Thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of Thy law, I have waited for Thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on His word; my soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him plentiful redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all her iniquities.
Or say Pater and Ave
Or Pater: 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 them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Ave: 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.
On the Large Beads
V. Eternal rest grant unto them (him/her), O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them (him/her).
Act of Faith
My God, I believe in Thee, because Thou art Truth itself;
I firmly believe the truths revealed to the Church.
Act of Hope
My God, I hope in Thee, because Thou art infinitely good.
Act of Charity
My God, I love Thee with all my heart, and above all things, because Thou art infinitely perfect; and I love my neighbor as myself, for the love of Thee.
(Indulgence 7 years, 7 quarantines, each time. Benedict XIV, Jan. 28, 1756.)
(Plenary once a month, if said every day. Benedict XIII, Jan. 15, 1728)
(Plenary, in articulo mortis (at the point of death) if frequently used during life. Benedict XIV, Jan. 28, 1756)
On the Small Beads
Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love. (300 days once a day. Leo XIII, May 21, 1892)
Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation. (300 days each time. Pius IX, Sept. 30, 1852)
At the End
V. Eternal rest grant unto them (him/her), O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them (him/her).
V. May they (he/she) rest in peace.
R. Amen. ✞
V. May (his/her) soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen. ✞
May the love of God
and the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ
bless us and console us
and gently wipe every tear from our eyes.
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost.
R. Amen. ✞
Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
make my heart like unto Thine.
(300 days each time. St. Pius X, Br. July 9, 1904)
St. Joseph, model and patron
of those who love
the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
Pray for us.
(100 days once a day. Leo XIII, Dec. 19, 1891)
