NOVENA FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN
PURGATORY
By St. Alphonsus de Liguori
October 24 -November 1
The doctrine of Purgatory gives to
Catholics comfort and joy. They feel the black gulf of death is bridged across
and they are still knit together to those near and dear to them in the bonds of
love and sympathy. The sting of death and the sharpness of its sorrow is
mitigated by the thought they are still bound to these departed by the golden
chain of prayer. Death is thus robbed of much of its terror and the separation of friends
becomes endurable.
With this beautiful belief the Catholic standing at the open grave is no
longer mute and puzzled but finds vent for his grief in earnest petitions to
God on behalf of his loved ones. Funeral services are no longer an empty
pageant with lengthy eulogies designed to glorify the departed and sympathize
with the living. These and other pious devotions become clothed with deep and
real significance and are used as a practical means of assisting the souls of
the dead to arrive at their heavenly home.
Eighth Day
Another bitter sorrow of these souls is caused by the reflection that
God had distinguished them by so many graces not granted to others, and that
they compelled Him, by their sins, to condemn them to these sufferings, and
that they had deserved hell, and were pardoned and saved only by the mercy of
God.
Prayer
O my God! I also am one of these ungrateful beings, having received so
much grace, and yet despised Thy love and deserved to be cast by Thee into
hell. But Thy infinite good ness has spared me until now. Therefore, I now love
Thee above all things, and I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. I will
rather die than ever again offend Thee. Grant me the grace of holy
perseverance. Have compassion on me and, at the same time, on the holy souls
suffering in Purgatory. Mary, Mother of God, come to their aid with thy powerful
intercession.
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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