Eternal Rest

Eternal Rest, or Requiem Æternam, is a Roman Catholic prayer asking God to hasten the progression of the souls of the faithful departed in Purgatory to their place in Heaven.

This doctrine is found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1030-1032:

"All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned...From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead..."

Latin text

The Latin text in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church is:

℣. Requiem æternam dona ei (eis), Domine

℟. Et lux perpetua luceat ei (eis):

℣. Requiescat (-ant) in pace.

℟. Amen.

English translation

The translation used by English-speaking Roman Catholics is:

℣. Eternal rest, grant unto him/her (them), O LORD,

℟. And let perpetual light shine upon him/her (them).

℣. May he/she (they) rest in peace.

℟. Amen.

See also

• Requiem Mass
• Office of the Dead
• All Souls' Day

Roman Catholic prayer Note: Prayers in italics are normally indulgenced. Prayers of the Mass Agnus Dei Apostles' Creed Confiteor Gloria in excelsis Deo Gloria Patri Kyrie Eleison Litany of the Saints Niceno-Constantinopolitan (Nicene) Creed Pater Noster Sanctus Signum Crucis Marian prayers Alma Redemptoris Mater Angelus Ave Maria Ave Maris Stella Ave Regina Caelorum Fatima Prayer Magnificat Memorare Regina Coeli Rosary Salve Regina Sub Tuum Praesidium Three Hail Marys Litany Loreto Other prayers Act of Contrition Adoro te devote Angele Dei Anima Christi Athanasian Creed Ave Verum Corpus Benedictus Come, Holy Spirit Jesus Prayer Mental prayer Laudes Divinae Morning offering Nunc Dimittis O Salutaris Hostia Penitential Psalms Miserere mei De Profundis Prayer before a Crucifix Prayer of Saint Francis Prayer to Saint Michael Requiem Aeternam Spiritual Communion Tantum Ergo Te Deum Thanksgiving after Communion Veni Creator Spiritus Veni Sancte Spiritus Visit to the Blessed Sacrament Way of the Cross Category Portal