NOVENA FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN
PURGATORY
By St. Alphonsus de Liguori
October 24 -November 1
The Council of Trent tells us “That there is a Purgatory and that the
souls there detained are assisted by the suffrages of the faithful, but
especially by the Most acceptable Sacrifice of the Altar.”
The Council of Florence
defined “If men have died penitent in the love of God, and before they have
made satisfaction by fruits worthy of penance for sins of omission and of commission,
their souls are purified after death by the pains of Purgatory and to the relief
of these pains avail alms and other offices of piety.”
It will be noticed how
guarded and exact is the Church’s doctrine on the subject.
All we are
compelled to believe as part of the faith is:
1. There is a
Purgatory.
2. Souls suffer
there after death for their sins.
3. We can help
relieve them. To these simple dogmatic statements there are other points of belief held in general concerning the purgatorial
state though not defined as articles of faith. It is certain the holy souls are
saved. There is no possibility of them ever losing the state of grace for they cannot
sin in the least degree nor is there a source or cause of sin present to them.
Fourth Day
The pain that still more afflicts these holy souls, the spouses of
Jesus, is the thought of having, during life, displeased by their sins that God
Whom they so ardently love. Some penitents have felt so much pain and sorrow in
thinking of having, by their sins, offended so good a God, that they died of
grief. The souls in Purgatory understand far better than we do, the claims that
God has to our love; they love Him with all their strength. Hence, at the
thought of having offended Him during life, they experience pain that surpasses
all other pain.
Prayer
O my God! because Thou art infinite goodness, I am sorry with my whole
heart for having offended Thee. I promise to die rather than ever offend Thee
more. Give me holy perseverance; have pity on me, and have pity on those holy
souls that burn in the cleansing fire and love Thee with all their hearts. O
Mary, Mother of God, assist them by thy powerful prayers.
Our Father
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of grace, 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.
Prayer to Our Suffering Saviour for the Souls in Purgatory
V. O most sweet Jesus, through that sweat of blood which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these holy souls.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord, have mercy on them.
V. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Scourging, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord, have mercy on them.
V. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful Crowning with Thorns, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord, have mercy on them.
V. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy Cross to Calvary, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord, have mercy on them.
V. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord, have mercy on them.
V. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter Agony on the Cross, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord, have mercy on them.
V. O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord, have mercy on them.
(Here recommend yourself to the souls in Purgatory and mention the favor you wish to obtain by this Novena.)
Blessed Souls, we have prayed for you;
we entreat you, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him,
to pray for us miserable sinners, who are in danger of being damned and of
losing God forever. Amen.
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