NOVENA FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY - SEVENTH DAY

      NOVENA FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN

                         PURGATORY

   
          By St. Alphonsus de Liguori

We do not know where Purgatory is, neither can any man tell the length of time during which a soul may be detained there. The only way the holy souls can discharge their debt, i. e., satisfy for the punishment due to their sins on earth, is through suffering on their own part or by being assisted by the prayers and good works of the faithful on earth, by indulgences gained and applied to them and above all by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The souls can merit nor satisfy no more; the time for that ended with death. They can do nothing to help themselves and so they look to us to assist them in discharging their debt to the last farthing.

      

                    Seventh Day

A further great sorrow of these holy souls consists in their ardent desire for the beatific vision. Slowly and painfully the moments of their purgatorial imprisonment pass by; for, they love God deeply, and desire to be delivered from their sad prison to praise Him forever.

                        Prayer

O God, Father of Mercy, satisfy this their ardent desire! Send them Thy holy Angel to announce to them that Thou, their Father, art now reconciled with them through the suffering and death of Jesus, and that the moment of their deliverance has arrived. 

                    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.