November the month of the Poor Souls in Purgatory
Novena for the Poor Souls in Purgatory
That the whole Church Triumphant may soon celebrate their deliverance; and the choirs of angels sing
new hymns of Joy, on their never ending happiness, we beseech Thee to hear us.
Novena for the Relief of the Poor Souls in Purgatory
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." (Matthew, 5:7.)
The Practice of this novena is especially and earnestly recommended to those who mourn the death of their parents and friends. They should commence it on the very day of the death of the person and continue it during the nine following days. It will be a consolation for them and a relief for the dear departed one.
Day 1 Day 4 Day 7
Day 2 Day 5 Day 8
Day 3 Day 6 Day 9
FIRST DAY: EXISTENCE OF PURGATORY
PREPARATORY PRAYER:
Act of Faith: My God, I believe in You, because You are Truth itself; I firmly believe the truths revealed to the Church.
Act of Hope: My God, I hope in You, because You are infinitely good.
Act of Charity: My God, I love You with all my heart, and above all things, because You are infinitely perfect; and I love my neighbor as myself, for the love of You.
(Indulgence of 7 years, 7 quarantines, each time. Benedict XIV, January 28, 1761. Plenary once a mouth, if said every day. Benedict XIII, January 15, 1728.)
MEDITATION: There is a place for the purification of Souls, which, after death, are yet stained with venial sins, or have not yet entirely satisfied for their pardoned sins. The Holy Catholic Church teaches it. I believe it firmly. By the light of the flames of Purgatory, I understand better Your holiness, Your Justice, Your Mercy, O my God! "Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy Place? The innocent in hands, and clean of heart." (Psalm 23 in the Vulgate or Psalm 24 in the Hebrew.) "There shall not enter into Heaven anything defiled." (Apocalypse 21.) For You are Holy! Holy! Holy! O Lord, inspire my soul with the horror of sin! Grant me the grace to atone for my faults here below! You are just, O Lord, and Your judgments are right. Who will dare to say: "Do not condemn me: tell me why You judge me so?"' (Job 10:2.) "To You only have I sinned, and have done evil before You." (Psalm 50:6 in the Vulgate or Psalm 51:4 in the Hebrew.) I have deserved eternal punishment, but Your mercy will follow me into the depth of death, and I will be spared.
Oh, Purgatory! Where reigns Hope! There I will say with the Prophet: "When I was in distress You have enlarged me!" (Psalm 4:1.) If there were no Purgatory, where would so many lazy, negligent, immortified souls go? "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, Who comforts us in all our tribulation." (2 Corinth 1:3- 4.)
PRACTICE: To pray the Divine Heart of Jesus that He deign to enkindle many souls with an ardent charity for the Souls in Purgatory.
RESOLUTION: Every day of my life, I will pray or do some good work for the "Poor Souls."
EXAMPLE: It is related in the Acts of Saint Perpetua, martyr, that, being thrown into prison, she was favored with a vision. She saw her young brother, Dinocrates, in a dark place. He was surrounded by flames, thirsty, his face was ugly, pale, covered with an ulcer, which caused his death, when seven years old. She prayed fervently for him during seven days, and then he appeared to her in a very different condition. He was bright, clothed with a beautiful white dress, and there was no ulcer on his face. She understood that he had been delivered.
DE PROFUNDIS. Out of the Depths.
(Psalm 129 in the Vulgate; Psalm 130 in the Hebrew.) "Out of the Depths".
Out of the depths, I have cried to You, O Lord: Lord hear my voice. Let Your ears be attentive, to the voice of my supplication. If You, O Lord, will mark iniquities; Lord, who shall stand it? For with You there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of Your law, I have waited for You, O Lord.
My soul has relied on His word: my soul has hoped in the Lord. From the morning-watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with Him plentiful redemption. And He shall redeem Israel, from all his iniquities.
V. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. From the gate of hell.
R. Deliver their souls, O Lord.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto You.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with your Spirit.
(Indulgence of 50 days, three times a day, to all who say the De Profundis with the VERSICLE and RESPONSE. "Requiem aeternam (Eternal Rest)." Leo XIII., February 3, 1888.)
Let us pray:
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, we beseech You to grant to the souls of Your servants, men and women, the remission of their sins, so that by our prayers they may obtain pardon for which they long, O Lord, who lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
Let us pray for our departed parents:
O God, Who has commanded us to honor our Father and Mother, have pity on them, deliver them from the pains which they have deserved, and grant that I may see them in the glory of Heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
V. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.