A NOVENA TO THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY

A NOVENA TO THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY

Written by St. Alphonsus Liguori this novena has prayers for each day which are followed by the Prayer
 to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

Oh holy souls in purgatory, you are the certain heirs of heaven. You are most dear to Jesus as the trophies of His Precious Blood and to Mary, mother of mercy. Obtain for me through your intercession the grace to lead a holy life, to die a happy death and to attain to the blessedness of eternity in heaven. Dear suffering souls, who long to be delivered in order to praise and glorify God in heaven, by your unfailing pity help me in the needs which distress me at this time, particularly... so that I may obtain relief and assistance from God. In gratitude for your intercession, I offer to God in your behalf the satisfactory merits of my prayer and work, my joys and sufferings of this day (week, month, or whatever space of time you wish to designate). 

O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. 

R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

(Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions here) 

Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee; I entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for me a miserable sinner, who is in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Amen.

Day 1 

Jesus, my Savior I have so often deserved to be cast into hell how great would be my suffering if I were now cast away and obliged to think that I myself had caused my damnation. I thank Thee for the patience with which Thou hast endured me. My God, I love Thee above all things and I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee because of Thou art infinite goodness. I will rather die than offend Thee again. Grant me the grace of perseverance. Have pity on me and at the same time on those blessed souls suffering in Purgatory. Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession. 

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary.

Day 2 

Woe to me, unhappy being, so many years have I already spent on earth and have earned naught but hell! I give Thee thanks, O Lord, for granting me time even now to atone for my sins. My good God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. Send me Thy assistance, that I may apply the time yet remaining to me for Thy love and service; have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession. 

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary.

Day 3

My God! because Thou art infinite goodness, I love Thee above all things, and repent with my whole heart of my offenses against Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. And thou, Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession. 

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary.

Day 4 

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. 

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary.

Day 5 

Woe to me, unhappy being, if Thou, O Lord, hadst cast me into hell; for from that dungeon of eternal pain, there is no deliverance. I love Thee above all things, O infinite God and I am sincerely sorry for having offended Thee again. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession. 

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary.

Day 6 

My Divine Redeemer, Thou didst die for me on the Cross and has so often united Thyself with me in Holy Communion, and I have repaid Thee only with ingratitude. Now, however, I love Thee above all things, O supreme God; and I am more grieved at my offenses against Thee than at any other evil. I will rather die than offend Thee again. 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. 

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary.

Day 7 

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

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary.

Day 8 

Oh 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 goodness 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 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. 

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary.

 Day 9

My God! How was it possible that I, for so many years, have borne tranquility the separation from Thee and Thy holy grace! O infinite Goodness, how long-suffering hast Thou showed Thyself to me! Henceforth, I shall love Thee above all things. I am deeply sorry for having offended Thee; I promise rather die than to again offend Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance, and do not permit that I should ever again fall into sin. Have compassion on the holy souls in Purgatory. I pray Thee, moderate their sufferings; shorten the time of their misery; call them soon unto Thee in heaven, that they may behold Thee face to face, and forever love Thee. Mary, Mother of Mercy, come to their aid with thy powerful intercession and pray for us also who are still in danger of eternal damnation.

Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary.

 

NOVENA PRAYER IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF THE SCAPULAR OF MOUNT CARMEL

NOVENA PRAYER IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF THE SCAPULAR OF MOUNT CARMEL

O Most Holy Mother of Mount Carmel, thou who, when asked by a saint to grant privileges to a few, 
didst grant an assurance of salvation to the entire world, behold us, thy children, kneeling at the feet. 

We glory, dearest Mother, in wearing thy holy Habit, that Habit which makes us members of thy family on earth, that Habit through which, by honoring thee, we shall have thine all-powerful protection in life, at death, and even after death.

Look down pityingly, O Virgin of a Happy Death, on all those now in their last agony! 
Look down graciously, O Virgin of Wonders, on all those in need of help! 

Look down mercifully, O sweetest of Mothers, on all those who have not the security of being numbered among thy children! 

Look down tenderly, O Queen of Purgatory, on the poor souls!

Amen.

THE THREE HAIL MARY NOVENA

THE THREE HAIL MARY NOVENA

ONE

— In honor of Our Lady’s power —

Oh, Immaculate Mary, Virgin most powerful, I beseech thee, through that immense power which thou hast received from the Eternal Father, obtain for me purity of heart, strength to overcome all the enemies of my soul, and the special favor I implore in my present necessity.

[Name your request]

Mother most pure! Forsake me not, despise not my prayer, graciously hear me for God’s glory, thy honor, and the welfare of my soul.

To obtain this favor I honor thy power by reciting:

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 death.  Amen.

TWO

— In honor of Our Lady’s wisdom —

Oh Virgin Mary, my Mother, through that ineffable wisdom bestowed upon thee by the Incarnate Word of God, I humbly beseech thee, obtain for me meekness and humility of heart, a perfect knowledge of the Divine Will, and strength to accomplish it always.

Oh, Mary, Seat of Wisdom; as a tender Mother lead me in the path of Christian virtue and perfection; enlighten and enable me to do what is most pleasing to thy beloved Son, and obtain my petition.

To obtain this grace I honor thy wisdom by reciting:

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 death.  Amen.

THREE

— In honor of Our Lady’s mercy —

Oh, Mother of Mercy, Mother of penitent sinners, I stand before thee sinful and sorrowful, beseeching thee through the immense Love given to thee by the Holy Spirit for us poor sinners, obtain for me true and perfect contrition for my sins, which I hate and detest with all my heart, because I love God.

Mother most merciful, help me in my present necessity. Turn, then those eyes of mercy toward us, oh clement, oh loving, oh sweet Virgin Mary!

To obtain this precious gift, I honor thy loving mercy by reciting:

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 death.  Amen.

NOVENA PRAYERS IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF THE SCAPULAR OF MOUNT CARMEL

NOVENA PRAYERS IN HONOR OF OUR LADY OF THE SCAPULAR OF MOUNT CARMEL

O Most holy Mother of Mount Carmel, thou who, when asked by a saint to grant privileges to a few, didst grant an assurance of salvation to the entire world, behold us, thy children, kneeling at the feet.

We glory, dearest Mother, in wearing thy holy Habit, that Habit which makes us members of thy family on earth, that Habit through which, by honoring thee, we shall have thine all powerful protection in life, at death, and even after death.

Look down pityingly, O Virgin of a Happy Death, on all those now in their last agony!

Look down graciously, O Virgin of Wonders, on all those in need of help!

Look down mercifully, O sweetest of Mothers, on all those who have not the security of being numbered among thy children!

Look down tenderly, O Queen of Purgatory, on the poor souls!

The Novenas

What are Novenas?

 A Novena is an ancient tradition of devotional praying in Christianity and a spiritual practice that is performed continuously and repeated for nine successive days or weeks.
 The practice may trace its origins to an early Greek and Roman custom performed by families, consisting of nine days of mourning after the death of a loved one, followed by a feast, which originally prompted Catholic writers such as St. Augustine, Pseudo-Alcuin and John Beleth to warn Christians not to emulate the custom.
 The number nine was believed to be a sacred number in ancient times because it was the one that announced perfection. The Philosopher Pythagoras recommended his disciples to keep a respectful attitude when refereeing to the number 9. A novena is ritualistic devotional worship that grew by the Middle Ages to include pious prayers for nine days before a feast in honor of a saint identified on a liturgical calendar.

Nowadays, novenas as It consists of a collection of-of private or public prayers recited and ceremonial reverence held during the nine-day period. It is usually performed through devotion to God, to the Holy Trinity, to the Virgin Mary or to the Saints. During a novena, the devotees make petitions, implore favors, or obtain graces by asking for intercessions prayers. But even praying several novenas, people do not know what their origin was, where it came from, and how it comes to become a spiritual practice.
 There is also a special meaning of praying for 9 days, for this number is the square of 3, which is the number of perfection since it is related to the Holy Trinity.

Thus, throughout the nine days of the novena, three Divine and Eternal Persons are praised three times: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. According to Sacred Tradition, the first novena took place between the Ascension of Jesus Christ to Heaven and the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecosts the apostles and Mary in Jerusalem, a period that lasted nine days (Acts 1: 3, 2,1). The first Christian Community was gathered during this time around Mary, some women, and the Apostles, in prayer, for Jesus had promised to send the Holy Spirit. This was the first novena, based on Funeral rituals common at the time. In Later time, many saints of the Church nourished this devotion, as a prayerful practice. So much so that today there are many novenas created by saints of the Church and that Christians continue to pray.