PRAYER BEFORE LIGHTING CANDLES FOR THE DEPARTED LOVED ONES AND FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

PRAYER BEFORE LIGHTING A CANDLE FOR OUR DEARLY DEPARTED AND FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

In the name of the Father, and if the Son and of the Holy Spirit ( sign of the cross)

Lord Jesus Christ, true light that enlightens every man who comes into this world, bestow Thy blessing upon these candles, and sanctify them with the light of Thy grace.

As these tapers burn with visible fire and dispel the darkness of night, so may our hearts with the help of thy grace be enlightened by the invisible fire of the splendor of the Holy Spirit, and may be free from all blindness of sin.

As I offer these candles for my dearly departed ones and for the souls in purgatory, may the light from these candles and my prayers guide them towards Thee who art the True and Divine Light, and may it give them comfort and peace.

Through Thee, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, who in perfect Trinity, liveth and reigneth, God, forever and ever.

Amen.

**Roman Catholic Church teaches that lighting candles for the dead in correlation with prayer prolongs and amplifies the prayer and memorializes the deceased. The teaching behind candles associated with praying for the dead is the Catholic doctrine of purgatory.