A Prayer for a Happy Death (Through the Intercession of Jesus and Mary) is a prayer for the grace of dying reconciled with God, with perfect contrition, and strengthened by the last sacraments. The faithful have long sought the Blessed Virgin Mary’s intercession for final perseverance and protection against despair in the final moments of life, a devotion formally established in 1648 and granted papal approval by Pope Alexander VII in 1655. The prayer on this page is drawn from three venerable Catholic sources: the Raccolta, the Church’s traditional collection of indulgenced prayers; the writings of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church; and Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, the beloved English theologian and cardinal.
A Prayer for a Happy Death
Through the Intercession of Jesus and Mary
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us.
O Refuge of sinners, Mother of the dying, do not forsake me at the hour of my death. Obtain for me the grace of perfect sorrow, sincere contrition, the pardon and remission of my sins.
O my Mother, I beg you, by the love you bear my God, to help me at all times, but especially at the last moment of my life. Do not leave me, I beseech you, until you see me safe in Heaven, blessing you and singing your mercies for all eternity.
O my Lord and Savior, support me in my final hour by the strong arms of your sacraments and the fragrance of your consolations. Let your absolving words be said over me, and the holy oil sign and seal me; and let your own body be my food and your blood my sprinkling; and let your Mother Mary come to me, and my angel whisper peace to me, and your glorious saints and my own dear patrons smile on me, that in and through them all, I may die as I desire to live, in your Church, in your faith, and in your love. I ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.