My LORD’s BibleThe Roman Missal: Masses for the Dead (English) 3
1[Mass on the Anniversary.]
3Lesson. 2 Machab. xii. 43—46. In those days, the most valiant man Judas, making a gathering, sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection; (for if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead); and because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.
4Gospel. St John vi. 37—40. At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews, All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will not cast out: because I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. Now this is the will of the Father who sent me, that of all that he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again in the last day; and this is the will of my Father that sent me, that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth in him, may have life everlasting; and I will raise him up in the last day.
5Secret. Be propitious, O Lord, to our supplications, for the souls of thy servants, whose anniversary is this day commemorated, for whom we offer thee thy sacrifice of praise; that thou mayest vouchsafe to associate them to the company of thy saints. Through our Lord, &c.
6Postcom. Præsta quæsumus. Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that the souls of thy servants, whose anniversary we commemorate, purified by this sacrifice, may obtain pardon, and everlasting rest. Through our Lord, &c.