On November 1st (All Saints' Day) and November 2nd (All Souls' Day) , Poles visit cemeteries to light lanterns ( znicze ) and recite this prayer for their ancestors.
The standard form of the prayer used in liturgical and private devotions is:
In Polish tradition, "Wieczny odpoczynek" is more than just a prayer; it is a central element of funeral rites . wieczny_odpoczynek
It is recited by mourners at the graveside immediately before and after burial.
(Eternal Rest) refers to a foundational Christian prayer for the deceased, widely used in Poland during funerals, at grave sites, and on remembrance days like All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day . It is the Polish equivalent of the Latin Requiem aeternam . The Prayer Text On November 1st (All Saints' Day) and November
In Catholicism, the prayer is a plea to God to shorten the suffering of souls in Purgatory and hasten their entry into Heaven.
The prayer's imagery is derived from 2 Esdras (4 Esdras in the Vulgate), which speaks of a "shepherd" giving everlasting rest and "perpetual light" shining forever. (Eternal Rest) refers to a foundational Christian prayer
"Eternal rest grant unto him/her/them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him/her/them. May he/she/they rest in eternal peace. Amen." Spiritual Meaning and Origins