Roman Breviary, 1954 (Divino Afflatu)

Monday, 2 November 2026

In Commemoratione Omnium Fidelium DefunctorumThe Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed

Duplex

Lectio I

Lesson I

Job 7:16-21

Parce mihi, Dómine; nihil enim sunt dies mei. Quid est homo, quia magníficas eum? aut quid appónis erga eum cor tuum? Vísitas eum dilúculo, et súbito probas illum. Usquequo non parcis mihi, nec dimíttis me, ut glútiam salívam meam? Peccávi, quid fáciam tibi, o custos hóminum? quare posuísti me contrárium tibi, et factus sum mihimetípsi gravis? Cur non tollis peccátum meum, et quare non aufers iniquitátem meam? Ecce nunc in púlvere dórmiam: et, si mane me quæsíeris, non subsístam.

Spare me, for my days are nothing. What is a man that thou shouldst magnify him? or why dost thou set thy heart upon him? Thou visitest him early in the morning, and thou provest him suddenly. How long wilt thou not spare me, nor suffer me to swallow down my spittle? I have sinned: what shall I do to thee, O keeper of men? why hast thou set me opposite to thee, and I am become burdensome to myself? Why dost thou not remove my sin, and why dost thou not take away my iniquity? Behold now I shall sleep in the dust: and if thou seek me in the morning, I shall not be.

℟. Credo quod Redémptor meus vivit, et in novíssimo die de terra surrectúrus sum, * Et in carne mea vidébo Deum Salvatórem meum.

℟. I believe that my Redeemer liveth, and that I shall stand up from the earth at the latter day, * And in my flesh shall I see God my Saviour.

℣. Quem visúrus sum ego ipse, et non álius; et óculi mei conspectúri sunt.

℣. Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.

℟. Et in carne mea vidébo Deum Salvatórem meum.

℟. And in my flesh shall I see God my Saviour.

Lectio II

Lesson II

Job 14:1-6

Homo natus de mulíere, brevi vivens témpore, replétur multis misériis. Qui quasi flos egréditur et contéritur, et fugit velut umbra, et nunquam in eódem statu pérmanet. Et dignum ducis super hujuscémodi aperíre óculos tuos, et addúcere eum tecum in judícium? Quis potest fácere mundum de immúndo concéptum sémine? Nonne tu qui solus es? Breves dies hóminis sunt: númerus ménsium ejus apud te est: constituísti términos ejus, qui præteríri non póterunt. Recéde páululum ab eo, ut quiéscat, donec optáta véniat, sicut mercenárii, dies ejus.

Man born of a woman, living for a short time, is filled with many miseries. Who cometh forth like a flower, and is destroyed, and fleeth as a shadow, and never continueth in the same state. And dost thou think it meet to open thy eyes upon such an one, and to bring him into judgment with thee? Who can make him clean that is conceived of unclean seed? is it not thou who only art? The days of man are short, and the number of his months is with thee: thou hast appointed his bounds which cannot be passed. Depart a little from him, that he may rest, until his wished for day come, as that of the hireling

℟. Qui Lázarum resuscitásti a monuménto fœ́tidum, * Tu eis, Dómine, dona réquiem, et locum indulgéntiæ.

℟. Thou Who didst call up Lazarus from the grave after that he had begun to stink * Do Thou, O Lord, grant them rest and a place of forgiveness.

℣. Qui ventúrus es judicáre vivos et mórtuos, et sǽculum per ignem.

℣. Thou Who shalt come to judge the quick and dead, and the world by fire

℟. Tu eis, Dómine, dona réquiem, et locum indulgéntiæ.

℟. Do Thou, O Lord, grant them rest and a place of forgiveness.

Lectio III

Lesson III

Job 19:20-27

Pelli meæ, consúmptis cárnibus, adhǽsit os meum, et derelícta sunt tantúmmodo lábia circa dentes meos. Miserémini mei, miserémini mei saltem vos, amíci mei, quia manus Dómini tétigit me. Quare persequímini me sicut Deus, et cárnibus meis saturámini? Quis mihi tríbuat ut scribántur sermónes mei? quis mihi det ut exaréntur in libro Stylo férreo et plumbi lámina, vel celte sculpántur in sílice? Scio enim quod redémptor meus vivit, et in novíssimo die de terra surrectúrus sum: Et rursum circúmdabor pelle mea, et in carne mea vidébo Deum meum: Quem visúrus sum ego ipse, et óculi mei conspectúri sunt, et non álius: repósita est hæc spes mea in sinu meo.

The flesh being consumed. My bone hath cleaved to my skin, and nothing but lips are left about my teeth. Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because the hand of the Lord hath touched me. Why do you persecute me as God, and glut yourselves with my flesh? Who will grant me that my words may be written? Who will grant me that they may be marked down in a book? With an iron pen and in a plate of lead, or else be graven with an instrument in flint stone. For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and in the last day I shall rise out of the earth. And I shall be clothed again with my skin, and in my flesh I will see my God. Whom I myself shall see, and my eyes shall behold, and not another: this my hope is laid up in my bosom.

℟. Dómine, quando véneris judicáre terram, ubi me abscóndam a vultu iræ tuæ? * Quia peccávi nimis in vita mea.

℟. Lord, when Thou comest to judge the earth, where shall I hide myself from the face of thy wrath? * For I have sinned greatly in my life.

℣. Commíssa mea pavésco, et ante te erubésco: dum véneris judicáre, noli me condemnáre.

℣. I dread my sins, I blush before thee I see the great tribunal set! In fear and terror I implore thee, Forgive when soul and Judge are met!

℟. Quia peccávi nimis in vita mea. $Requiem

℟. For I have sinned greatly in my life. $Requiem

℟. Quia peccávi nimis in vita mea.

℟. For I have sinned greatly in my life.

Lectio IV

Lesson IV

Ex Libro sancti Augustíni Epíscopi de cura pro mórtuis gerénda

From the book of St. Augustine, the Bishop, on the Care for the Deceased

Cap 2 et 3

Cap. 2 & 3

Curátio fúneris, condítio sepultúræ, pompa exsequiárum magis sunt vivórum solácia quam subsídia mortuórum. Nec ídeo tamen contemnénda et abiciénda sunt córpora defunctórum, maximéque justórum ac fidélium, quibus tamquam órganis et vasis ad ómnia bona ópera sancte usus est spíritus. Si enim patérna vestis et ánulus, ac si quid hujúsmodi, tanto cárius est pósteris, quanto erga paréntes major afféctus; nullo modo ipsa spernénda sunt córpora, quæ útique multo familiárius atque conjúnctius quam quǽlibet induménta gestámus. Hæc enim non ad ornaméntum vel adjutórium, quod adhibétur extrínsecus, sed ad ipsam natúram hóminis pértinent. Unde et antiquórum justórum fúnera officiósa pietáte curáta sunt, et exséquiæ celebrátæ, et sepultúra provísa; ipsíque, cum víverent, de sepeliéndis vel étiam transferéndis suis corpóribus fíliis mandavérunt.

If this be true, doubtless also the providing for the interment of bodies a place at the Memorials of Saints, is a mark of a good human affection towards the remains of one's friends. Yet it follows not that the bodies of the departed are to be despised and flung aside, and above all of just and faithful men, which bodies as organs and vessels to all good works their spirit has holily used. For if a father's garment and ring, and whatever such like, is the more dear to those whom they leave behind, the greater their affection is towards their parents, in no wise are the bodies themselves to be spurned, which truly we wear in more familiar and close conjunction than any of our putting on. For these pertain not to ornament or aid which is applied from without, but to the very nature of man. Whence also the funerals of the just men of old were with dutiful piety cared for, and their obsequies celebrated, and sepulture provided: and themselves while living did touching burial or even translation of their bodies give charge to their sons.

℟. Meménto mei, Deus, quia ventus est vita mea, * Nec aspíciat me visus hóminis.

℟. Remember, O God, that my life is wind. * The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more.

℣. De profúndis clamávi ad te, Dómine: Dómine, exáudi vocem meam.

℣. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord! Lord, hear my voice.

℟. Nec aspíciat me visus hóminis.

℟. The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more.

Lectio V

Lesson V

Cap. 4

Recordántis et precántis afféctus cum defúnctis a fidélibus caríssimis exhibétur, eum prodésse non dúbium est iis, qui cum in córpore víverent, tália sibi post hanc vitam prodésse meruérunt. Verum, etsi áliqua necéssitas vel humári córpora, vel in sacris locis humári nulla data facultáte permíttat, non sunt prætermitténdæ supplicatiónes pro spirítibus mortuórum: quas faciéndas pro ómnibus in christiána et cathólica societáte defúnctis, étiam tácitis eórum nomínibus, sub generáli commemoratióne suscépit Ecclésia; ut quibus ad ista desunt paréntes, aut fílii, aut quicúmque cognáti vel amíci, ab una eis exhibeántur pia matre commúni. Si autem deéssent istæ supplicatiónes, quæ fiunt recta fide ac pietáte pro mórtuis, puto quod nihil prodésset spirítibus eórum, quámlibet in locis sanctis exánima córpora poneréntur.

And when this affection is exhibited to the departed by faithful men who were most dear to them, there is no doubt that it profits them who while living in the body merited that such things should profit them after this life. But even if some necessity should through absence of all facility not allow bodies to be interred, or in such places interred, yet should there be no pretermitting of supplications for the spirits of the dead: which supplications, that they should be made for all in Christian and catholic fellowship departed, even without mentioning of their names, under a general commemoration, the Church has charged herself withal; to the intent that they which lack, for these offices, parents or sons or whatever kindred or friends, may have the same afforded unto them by the one pious mother which is common to all. But if there were lack of these supplications, which are made with right faith and piety for the dead, I account that it should not a whit profit their spirits, howsoever in holy places the lifeless bodies should be deposited.

℟. Hei mihi, Dómine, quia peccávi nimis in vita mea: Quid fáciam, miser? ubi fúgiam, nisi ad te, Deus meus? * Miserére mei, dum véneris in novíssimo die.

℟. Woe is me, O Lord! for I have sinned greatly in my life. I am smitten what shall I do? Whither shall I flee but unto thee, O my God? * Have mercy upon me, when Thou comest at the latter day.

℣. Anima mea turbáta est valde, sed tu, Dómine, succúrre ei.

℣. My soul is sore vexed, but Thou, O Lord, help me.

℟. Miserére mei, dum véneris in novíssimo die.

℟. Have mercy upon me, when Thou comest at the latter day.

Lectio VI

Lesson VI

Cap. 18

Quæ cum ita sint, non existimémus ad mórtuos, pro quibus curam gérimus, perveníre, nisi quod pro eis sive altáris, sive oratiónum, sive eleemosynárum sacrifíciis solémniter supplicámus: quamvis non pro quibus fiunt, ómnibus prosint; sed iis tantum pro quibus, dum vivunt, comparátur, ut prosint. Sed quia non discérnimus qui sunt, opórtet ea pro regenerátis ómnibus fácere, ut nullus eórum prætermittátur, ad quos hæc benefícia possint et débeant perveníre. Mélius enim supérerunt ista eis, quibus nec obsunt nec prosunt; quam eis déerunt, quibus prosunt. Diligéntius tamen facit hæc quisque pro necessáriis suis, quo pro illo fiat simíliter a suis. Córpori autem humándo quidquid impénditur, non est præsídium salútis, sed humanitátis offícium, secúndum afféctum quo nemo unquam carnem suam ódio habet. Unde opórtet ut quam potest pro carne próximi curam gerat, cum ille inde recésserit, qui gerébat. Et si hæc fáciunt, qui carnis resurrectiónem non credunt, quanto magis debent fácere qui credunt; ut córpori mórtuo, sed tamen resurrectúro et in æternitáte mansúro, impénsum ejúsmodi offícium sit étiam quodámmodo ejúsdem fídei testimónium!

Which things being so, let us not think that to the dead for whom we have a care, any thing reaches save what by sacrifices either of the altar, or of prayers, or of alms, we solemnly supplicate: although not to all for whom they are done be they profitable, but to them only by whom while they live it is obtained that they should be profitable. But forasmuch as we discern not who these be, it is meet to do them for all regenerate persons, that none of them may be passed by to whom these benefits may and ought to reach. For better it is that these things shall be superfluously done to them whom they neither hinder nor help, than lacking to them whom they help. More diligently however does each man these things for his own near and dear friends, in order that they may be likewise done unto him by his. But as for the burying of the body, whatever is bestowed on that, is no aid of salvation, but an office of humanity, according to that affection by which no man ever hates his own flesh. Whence it is fitting that he take what care he is able for the flesh of his neighbor, when he is gone that bare it. And if they do these things who believe not the resurrection of the flesh, how much more are they beholden to do the same who do believe; that so, an office of this kind bestowed upon a body, dead but yet to rise again and to remain to eternity, may also be in some sort a testimony of the same faith?

℟. Ne recordéris peccáta mea, Dómine, * Dum véneris judicáre sǽculum per ignem.

℟. Hold not my sins in remembrance, O Lord, * When thou comest to judge the world by fire.

℣. Dírige, Dómine, Deus meus, in conspéctu tuo viam meam.

℣. Make my way straight before thy face, O Lord my God.

℟. Dum véneris judicáre sǽculum per ignem. $Requiem

℟. When thou comest to judge the world by fire. $Requiem

℟. Dum véneris judicáre sǽculum per ignem.

℟. When thou comest to judge the world by fire.

Lectio VII

Lesson VII

De Epístola prima beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Corínthios

From the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians

1 Cor 15:12-22

Si Christus prædicátur quod resurréxit a mórtuis, quómodo quidam dicunt in vobis, quóniam resurréctio mortuórum non est? Si autem resurréctio mortuórum non est: neque Christus resurréxit. Si autem Christus non resurréxit, inánis est ergo prædicátio nostra, inánis est et fides vestra: Invenímur autem et falsi testes Dei: quóniam testimónium díximus advérsus Deum quod suscitáverit Christum, quem non suscitávit, si mórtui non resúrgunt. Nam si mórtui non resúrgunt, neque Christus resurréxit. Quod si Christus non resurréxit, vana est fides vestra: adhuc enim estis in peccátis vestris. Ergo et qui dormiérunt in Christo, periérunt. Si in hac vita tantum in Christo sperántes sumus, miserabilióres sumus ómnibus homínibus. Nunc autem Christus resurréxit a mórtuis primítiæ dormiéntium, Quóniam quidem per hóminem mors, et per hóminem resurréctio mortuórum. Et sicut in Adam omnes moriúntur, ita et in Christo omnes vivificabúntur.

Now if Christ be preached, that he arose again from the dead, how do some among you say, that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen again. And if Christ be not risen again, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God: because we have given testimony against God, that he hath raised up Christ; whom he hath not raised up, if the dead rise not again. For if the dead rise not again, neither is Christ risen again. And if Christ be not risen again, your faith is vain, for you are yet in your sins. Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ, are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now Christ is risen from the dead, the firstfruits of them that sleep For by a man came death, and by a man the resurrection of the dead. And as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.

℟. Peccántem me cotídie, et non me pœniténtem, timor mortis contúrbat me: * Quia in inférno nulla est redémptio, miserére mei, Deus, et salva me.

℟. Forasmuch as I sin daily, and repent not, the fear of death troubleth me. * O God, have mercy upon me, and save me, for in hell there is no redemption.

℣. Deus, in nómine tuo salvum me fac, et in virtúte tua líbera me.

℣. Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me in thy strength.

℟. Quia in inférno nulla est redémptio, miserére mei, Deus, et salva me.

℟. O God, have mercy upon me, and save me, for in hell there is no redemption.

Lectio VIII

Lesson VIII

1 Cor 15:35-44

Sed dicet áliquis: Quómodo resúrgunt mórtui? qualíve córpore vénient? Insípiens, tu quod séminas non vivificátur, nisi prius moriátur: Et quod séminas, non corpus, quod futúrum est, séminas, sed nudum granum, ut puta trítici, aut alicújus ceterórum. Deus autem dat illi corpus sicut vult, et unicuíque séminum próprium corpus. Non omnis caro, éadem caro: sed ália quidem hóminum, ália vero pécorum, ália vólucrum, ália autem píscium. Et córpora cæléstia, et córpora terréstria: sed ália quidem cæléstium glória, ália autem terréstrium. Alia cláritas solis, ália cláritas lunæ, et ália cláritas stellárum; stella enim a stella differt in claritáte: Sic et resurréctio mortuórum. Seminátur in corruptióne, surget in incorruptióne. Seminátur in ignobilitáte, surget in glória: seminátur in infirmitáte, surget in virtúte: Seminátur corpus animále, surget corpus spiritále.

But some man will say: How do the dead rise again? or with what manner of body shall they come? Senseless man, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die first. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not the body that shall be; but bare grain, as of wheat, or of some of the rest. But God giveth it a body as he will: and to every seed its proper body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but one is the flesh of men, another of beasts, another of birds, another of fishes. And there are bodies celestial, and bodies terrestrial: but, one is the glory of the celestial, and another of the terrestrial. One is the glory of the sun, another the glory of the moon, and another the glory of the stars. For star differeth from star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it shall rise in incorruption. It is sown in dishonour, it shall rise in glory. It is sown in weakness, it shall rise in power. It is sown a natural body, it shall rise a spiritual body.

℟. Dómine, secúndum actum meum noli me judicáre: nihil dignum in conspéctu tuo egi; ídeo déprecor majestátem tuam, * Ut tu, Deus, déleas iniquitátem meam.

℟. O Lord, judge me not according to my works; for I have done nothing that can be counted in respect of thee. I beseech thy majesty therefore, that thou wouldest * Blot out my transgressions, O God.

℣. Amplius lava me, Dómine, ab injustítia mea, et a delícto meo munda me.

℣. Lord, wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

℟. Ut tu, Deus, déleas iniquitátem meam.

℟. Blot out my transgressions, O God.

Lectio IX

Lesson IX

1 Cor 15:51-58

Ecce mystérium vobis dico: Omnes quidem resurgémus, sed non omnes immutábimur. In moménto, in ictu óculi, in novíssima tuba: canet enim tuba, et mórtui resúrgent incorrúpti: et nos immutábimur. Opórtet enim corruptíbile hoc indúere incorruptiónem: et mortále hoc indúere immortalitátem. Cum autem mortále hoc indúerit immortalitátem, tunc fiet sermo, qui scriptus est: Absórpta est mors in victória. Ubi est mors victória tua? ubi est mors stímulus tuus? Stímulus autem mortis peccátum est: virtus vero peccáti lex. Deo autem grátias, qui dedit nobis victóriam per Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum. Itaque fratres mei dilécti, stábiles estóte, et immóbiles: abundántes in ópere Dómini semper, sciéntes quod labor vester non est inánis in Dómino.

Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall all indeed rise again: but we shall not all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible: and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption; and this mortal must put on immortality. And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? Now the sting of death is sin: and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who hath given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast and unmoveable; always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

℟. Líbera me, Dómine, de morte ætérna in die illa treménda, * Quando cæli movéndi sunt et terra, * Dum véneris judicáre sǽculum per ignem.

℟. Deliver me, O Lord, from eternal death in that awful day * when the heavens and the earth shall be shaken, and Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire.

℣. Tremens factus sum ego et tímeo, dum discússio vénerit atque ventúra ira.

℣. Quaking and dread take hold upon me, when I look for the coming of the trial and the wrath to come.

℟. Quando cæli movéndi sunt et terra.

℟. When the heavens and the earth shall be shaken.

℣. Dies illa, dies iræ, calamitátis et misériæ, dies magna et amára valde.

℣. That day is a day of wrath, of wasteness and desolation, a great day and exceeding bitter.

℟. Dum véneris judicáre sǽculum per ignem. $Requiem

℟. When Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire. $Requiem

℟. Líbera me, Dómine, de morte ætérna in die illa treménda, * Quando cæli movéndi sunt et terra, * Dum véneris judicáre sǽculum per ignem.

℟. Deliver me, O Lord, from eternal death in that awful day * when the heavens and the earth shall be shaken, and Thou shalt come to judge the world by fire.