Prayers for a Happy Death
St. Joseph died with Jesus and Mary at his side — which is why the Church names him patron of a happy death and has asked his intercession at deathbeds for centuries. The Anima Christi's final lines were written for this hour.
Traditional prayers
Anima Christi (Soul of Christ)
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malicious enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me,
and bid me come to thee,
that with thy saints I may praise thee
for ever and ever. Amen.
Eternal Rest (Requiem Aeternam)
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Hail Mary
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.
From Scripture
4For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.
— Psalm 22 (23), vv. 4, Douay-Rheims · read the full chapter
29Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace:
30Because my eyes have seen thy salvation,
— Luke 2, vv. 29-30, Douay-Rheims · read the full chapter
Psalm numbers follow the Douay-Rheims (Vulgate) numbering; the common Hebrew numbering appears in parentheses.
Pray a novena
Patron saints for this intention
How to use these prayers
For someone actively dying, call the parish for Anointing of the Sick and Viaticum — priests come at any hour for this; it is the visit they never refuse. The Hail Mary's second half is this intention: 'now and at the hour of our death.'