MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY - FIRST DAY

 

The Souls in Purgatory

A truly Christian soul will, during this month, think with love of the faithful departed. There is nothing more pleasing to God, or more profitable to ourselves, than the practice of praying for the souls in purgatory, that He may relieve their sufferings and speedily admit them to His glory. We see our friends dropping from the ranks of the living, and entering that state which is so mysterious. The Church tells us that we can help them on their way to heaven by our prayers, if they have been detained in purgatory to atone to God's justice for their transgressions.

St. Alphonsus says, “It is a duty, for Christian charity commands us to relieve our neighbors who stand in need of our assistance; but who among all our neighbors have so great need of our help as these holy prisoners, deprived for a time of the sight of God?” Many indulgences, both plenary and partial, are applicable to them; let us gain them, so that the mercy of God may be moved in their favor. Let us also remember the poor souls who have no one to pray for them. And in return these blessed souls will not neglect to obtain for us many graces from God, particularly the grace of eternal life.

Meditations and Prayers for Every Day

First Day

Often meditate on the sufferings of the souls in purgatory. The thought will inspire you with the proper and holy fear of God's justice, which requires expiation in purgatory for sins unatoned for in this life. It will also move you to have compassion on the poor souls and to relieve them by your good works. The souls in purgatory endure dreadful punishments; it is the opinion of theologians that they suffer the pains of fire. They also suffer the pain of loss, which is more severe than that of sense. You should ask yourselves: Shall we suffer these dreadful pains in purgatory, or shall we escape them? Let us take warning from the unhappy souls who are to be miserable for eternity, and cultivate a salutary fear of God's justice and so avoid sin. Let the happiness of the saints encourage us to lead virtuous lives, and confide in the mercy and goodness of God. Standing between the eternity of happiness and the eternity of misery, we must make our choice. Through God's grace and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin and the members of the heavenly court, let us resolve, in future, to avoid not only mortal but also venial sin. Let us resolve also to atone for our past sins, and pay the debt which we owe to God's justice, so that when our souls are separated from our bodies we may go at once to enjoy God in heaven.

Prayer

Release, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from the bonds of their sins; and by the assistance of Thy grace may they escape the sentence of condemnation, and enjoy the bliss of eternal light. Amen.

 

A PRAYER FOR THE SOULS SUFFERING IN PURGATORY

A PRAYER FOR THE SOULS SUFFERING IN PURGATORY

It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins. — 2 Mach. xii. 46.

O God of all consolation, sole Author of the salvation of souls, have mercy on those who suffer in purgatory. Look with compassion on the greatness of their torments: they are more keenly devoured by their ardent desire of being united to thee than by the purging flames wherein they are plunged. With them I adore thy avenging justice, and confess the equity of thy judgments. But since thou art pleased favorably to hear the prayers which the members of thy holy Church offer to thee in behalf of their brethren, graciously hear the supplications which I now address to thee for those suffering souls. Remember. O Lord, thou art their father, and they are thy children. Forget the faults which, through the frailty of human nature, they have committed against thee during the course of their mortal pilgrimage. Adorable Jesus, Victim of propitiation both for the living and the dead, vouchsafe, in thy quality of Redeemer, to apply the merits of thy passion and death to the relief of those souls whom thou punishest as their sovereign Judge. Remember thy faithful followers and thy spouses. Let some drops of that precious blood which thou hast shed for their salvation flow on those devouring flames; and let the infinite price of that sacred blood afford a full satisfaction for their offences. Deliver them, O most merciful God, from that place of darkness and torture, and call them to a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Grant them the possession of the sovereign good after which they so ardently sigh, and for which thou hast created them. Receive them into thy paternal bosom, where they will praise and love thee to all eternity. Amen.

NOVENA FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY - NINTH DAY

 

Novena for the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Ninth Day

Great are all the sufferings of the holy souls: the fire, the grief, the darkness, the uncertainty of the time of their deliverance from prison; but the greatest of all these Sorrows are these: these holy souls are separated from their divine Spouse, and deprived of His beatific vision.

Prayer

O my God! How was it possible that I for so many years have borne tranquilly the separation from Thee and Thy holy grace! O infinite Goodness, how long-suffering hast Thou shown Thyself to me! Henceforth, I shall love Thee above all things. I am deeply sorry for having offended Thee; I promise rather to 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 for 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.

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 amongst 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.

PRAYER TO OUR SUFFERING SAVIOUR FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

V. O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these blessed 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 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.

 

VIGIL OF ALL SAINTS - OCTOBER 31

 

  

VIGIL OF ALL SAINTS

Simple – Violet Vestments
Missa ‘Júdicant Sancti gentes’

INTROIT

Wisdom 3:8

The Saints shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.

Psalm 32:1

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just: praise becometh the upright. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Saints shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.

INTROITUS

Júdicant Sancti gentes et dominántur pópulis: et regnábit Dóminus, Deus illórum, in perpétuum.

Psalm 32:1

Exsultáte, justi, in Dómino: rectos decet collaudátio.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculórum. Amen

Júdicant Sancti gentes et dominántur pópulis: et regnábit Dóminus, Deus illórum, in perpétuum.

COLLECT

O Lord our God, Multiply Thy graces upon us: and grant that we may be gladdened at the holy confession of those whose glorious festival we are anticipating. Through our Lord.

SECOND COLLECT IN HONOR OF THE HOLY GHOST

O God, who by light of thy Holy Spirit didst instruct the hearts of thy faithful, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise; and to ever rejoice in His consolation. Through our Lord… in the unity of the same Holy Spirit.

THIRD COLLECT AGAINST PERSECUTORS OF THE CHURCH  

We beseech Thee, O Lord, mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy Church: that all adversity and error being destroyed, she may serve Thee in security and freedom. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ: Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever.

EPISTLE – Apoc. 5: 6-12

Lesson from the book of the Apocalypse of blessed John the Apostle.

In those days, Behold, I, John, saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the ancients, a Lamb standing as it were slain, having seven horns and seven eyes: which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.  And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne.  And when he had opened the book, the four living creatures, and the four and twenty ancients fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new canticle, saying: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; because thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God, in thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation. And hast made us to our God a kingdom and priests, and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the living creatures, and the ancients; and the number of them was thousands of thousands, Saying with a loud voice: The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and benediction, for ever and ever. Amen.

GRADUAL

Psalm 149: 5, 1

The saints shall rejoice in glory; they shall be joyful in their beds.

Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle; let his praise be in the assembly of the saints.

GOSPEL

Luke 6: 17-23

The continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke

At that time, Jesus coming down from the mountain stood in a plain place, and the company of his disciples, and a very great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast both of Tyre and Sidon, Who were come to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases. And they that were troubled with unclean spirits, were cured. And all the multitude sought to touch him, for virtue went out from him, and healed all. And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh. Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven.

OFFERTORY

Psalm 149: 5, 6

The saints shall rejoice in glory; they shall be joyful in their beds: the high praises of God shall be in their mouth.

SECRET     

We load Thine altar, O Lord, with the gifts we offer; do thou grant, that, through the prayers of all Thy saints, whose  festival we are anticipating, they may avail to our salvation.  Through our Lord.

SECOND SECRET IN HONOR OF THE HOLY GHOST

O Lord, we beseech Thee, the gifts we offer, and cleanse our hearts by the light of the Holy Ghost. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ: Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, one God…

THIRD SECRET AGAINST PERSECUTORS OF THE CHURCH  

Protect us, O Lord, who assist at Thy mysteries; that, fixed upon things divine we may serve Thee in both body and mind. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ: Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God…

COMMUNION     

Wisdom 3: 1-2, 3

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of malice shall not touch them:  in the sight of the unwise they seemed as it were to die, but they are in peace.

POSTCOMMUNION    

O Lord, who hast granted unto us, looking forward to this coming festival, with gladness to accomplish thy holy mysteries: we humbly pray thee; that, like as we have performed the same to the remembrance of all thy Saints, so we may feel the succour of their intercession.  Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.

SECOND POSTCOMMUNION IN HONOR OF THE HOLY GHOST

May the infusion of the Holy Spirit, cleanse our hearts, O Lord, and render them fruitful by the inward sprinkling of His mysterious dew. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ: Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, one God forever and ever. Amen.

THIRD POSTCOMMUNION AGAINST PERSECUTORS OF THE CHURCH

We beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that Thou wouldst not suffer to be exposed to human dangers those to whom Thou givest to rejoice in this divine banquet. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ: Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever.

NOVENA FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY - EIGHTH DAY

 

Novena for Poor Souls in Purgatory

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 goodness has spared me until now, Therefore, I now love Thee above all things, and I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. I would rather die than ever offend Thee again. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance, have compassion for me and, at the same time, for the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. Mary, Mother of God, come to their aid with thy powerful intercession.

PRAYER TO OUR SUFFERING SAVIOUR FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

V. O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these blessed 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

immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing  forth Thy blessed soul, have mercy on them. 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.

 

 

 

 

Consecration to Our Guardian Angel

 

Act of Consecration to Our Guardian Angel

Angel of God! prince of heaven, watchful guardian, faithful guide, charitable pastor, I rejoice that God has created thee with so many perfections; that He has sanctified thee by His grace, and crowned thee with glory, after having persevered in His service. May God be praised forever for all He has done for thee! Be thou blessed for all the good thou hast procured me and my companions. I abandon to thee my body, soul, memory, understanding, will, inclination, and senses. Govern all, dispose of all, purify, enlighten, perfect all. Beg Our Lord to shed upon me and my companions His abundant benedictions; that, persevering until death in His grace, we may deserve to possess Him eternally with thee in glory. Amen.

Prayers to St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael

 

Prayers to St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael

Glorious St. Michael! prince of the heavenly host, protector of the universal Church, defend us against all our enemies, visible and invisible. Do not permit that we should ever fall under their tyranny.

St. Gabriel! thou who art justly called the strength of God, since thou hast been chosen to announce to many the mystery of the incarnation, in which the Almighty has displayed the power of His arms, make us know the treasure contained in the person of the Son of God, and be our protector with His august Mother.

St. Raphael! charitable guide of travellers, thou who, by divine virtue, dost effect miraculous cures, deign to guide us in the pilgrimage of this life, and heal the maladies of our souls and bodies. All ye orders of blessed spirits, be our defenders and protectors during our life and at the hour of our death. Amen.

 

 

 

Litany and Prayer to our Holy Guardian Angels -

 

Litany of the Holy Guardian Angels

(For Private Devotion Only.)

Lord, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of heaven, 

Have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Queen of angels, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my guardian, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my prince, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my monitor, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my counsellor, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my defender, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my steward, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my friend, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my negotiator, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my intercessor, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my patron, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my director, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my ruler, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my protector, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my comforter, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my teacher, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my shepherd, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my witness, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my helper, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my watcher, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my conductor, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my preserver, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my instructor, Pray for us.

Holy Angel, my enlightener, Pray for us.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord!

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord!

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us, O Lord!

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

V. Pray for us, O holy guardian angel,

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let Us Pray

Almighty, everlasting God, Who in the counsel of Thy ineffable goodness hast appointed to all the faithful from their mother's womb a special guardian angel of their body and soul; grant that I may love and honor him whom Thou hast so mercifully given me, that protected by the bounty of Thy grace, and by his assistance, I may merit to behold, with him and all the angelic host, the glory of Thy countenance in the heavenly country. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

Prayer To The Guardian Angel

Angel of God, who art my guardian, enlighten, guard, direct, and govern me, who have been committed to thee by the supernal clemency. Amen.