THE NINTH DAY: BENEFIT OF THE DEVOTION
TO THE "POOR SOULS."
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.
MEDITATION: This Novena is coming to a close. Do we understand the benefits and the consolation derived from devotion to the holy Souls? Do we need stronger motives to increase our zeal? Then let us consider that: Nothing is more glorious to God, nothing gives more honor to His Holy Name, nothing rejoices His Heart more, nothing is more pleasing to Him than charity for the "Poor Souls."
To open Heaven to the Poor Souls is to increase the number of those who praise and glorify God, the number of hearts that love Him. "Such a work," says Bourdaloue, "is an apostolate more noble, more meritorious than the conversion of sinners, and even of heathens."
How we will please the Heart of Jesus, Who loves the Souls redeemed by His precious blood! He would willingly come into this world again and offer Himself for their deliverance; but all justice must be accomplished, and the debts of the Souls must be paid. Therefore, He has inspired His Church with the practice of praying for the dead every time the Holy Sacrifice is offered.
The Blessed Virgin is the Queen of Purgatory and will be highly gratified when we contribute to the relief of the "Poor Souls."
Saint Joseph, the patron of a happy death, will also present our requests to the Lord, who has been called his Son. He will repay us generously if we come to the rescue of the suffering Souls.
What joy among the Saints in Heaven when they will see another elect -- a Soul coming out of Purgatory! Her Guardian Angel, the Holy Patron, will welcome and congratulate her! It will be a great joy in Heaven. The Saints know the benefactors of the "Poor Souls," and they will, in return, protect them.
We have already said that the Saints in Purgatory will remember their benefactors. No, they cannot forget them! They will attentively provide for them in needs both temporal and spiritual. They will protect us and defend us in troubles, in dangers, in temptations. On our deathbed, they will surround us. At the tribunal of God, they will be our advocates; and, if we are cast into Purgatory, they will come to visit us, to console us, until the day of our entrance into a glorious eternity.
PRACTICE: Give alms to the poor; insure your soul with prayers and good deeds against the fire of Purgatory. Money will be useless at the hour of death, but your good works will follow you.
RESOLUTION: I will never miss the opportunity of assisting the "Poor Souls."
EXAMPLE: A pious lady was praying for the recovery of her health. She had exhausted every means and made novenas after novenas to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to Saint Joseph, et cetera, without success. But she was advised to commence novenas for the relief of the "Pour Souls" in Purgatory. She did so and entirely recovered. She was accustomed to say: "All that I ask through the intercession of the "Poor Souls" I obtain easily. With them I am never discouraged, and I hope against hope."
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.
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 all the faithful departed: O God, Creator and Redeemer of all men, we beseech You to grant to the Souls of Your servants the remission of their sins, so that by our prayers they may obtain the indulgence for which they long, O Lord, who reigns and lives, world without end. 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.
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.
http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/