Obiit
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In medieval Christianity, an obiit was an annual endowed service commemorating the dead. Feast days for patron saints were often reserved for endowed masses associated with the obiit, sometimes in a chantry.
The practice has its origin in the recitation of the names of living and dead Christians (part of the intercessory prayers of the Canon of the Mass). As these lists grew in length separate ceremonies became necessary.[1]
Though many obiit vigils were of the endowed sort, more modest collective obiit was available for parishioners who could not afford an endowment.[1]