Prière Introductive
Introductory Prayers for Each Day
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
My Lord and my God, I offer this Novena for Thy greater glory, for my own salvation, and for the relief of the Holy Souls in Purgatory. I am heartily sorry for all my sins, because by them I have offended Thee, who art infinitely good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.
O my God, by the Precious Blood which Thy Divine Son Jesus shed for us, I beseech Thee to have compassion on the souls in Purgatory, and to deliver them from the torments they endure. Grant that they may soon be admitted into Thy presence, there to praise and adore Thee for all eternity. Amen.
Jour 1 : First Day: The Reality of Purgatory
Méditation
Let us consider the state of the souls in Purgatory. They are in a place of temporary punishment, destined for Heaven, yet unable to enter until every stain of sin has been cleansed. Their suffering is twofold: the pain of sense, which surpasses any earthly torment, and the more grievous pain of loss, which is the temporary deprivation of the sight of God. They are certain of their salvation, yet they long with an inexpressible ardour for the moment they will be united with their Creator. They cannot merit for themselves, but depend entirely upon the mercy of God and the suffrages of the faithful on earth. Let us, therefore, have pity on them and resolve to offer this novena with great devotion for their relief.
Prière du jour
O Jesus, Saviour of the world, who in Thy great mercy didst deign to take upon Thyself our human nature and to suffer the most bitter death for our salvation, I beseech Thee to look with compassion upon the Holy Souls in Purgatory. For them I offer my humble prayers. Accept, O merciful God, this first day’s devotion for the remission of their pains. Especially do I pray for those who were my own dear ones on earth. Grant that the fire of Thy love may purify them, so that they may be worthy to be admitted to Thy glorious presence in Heaven. Amen.
Jour 2 : Second Day: For Sins of Omission
Méditation
Let us consider how many souls may be suffering in Purgatory for sins of omission. How often have they, and we, neglected the opportunities for grace? They may have failed to pray with fervour, to perform works of charity, to frequent the Sacraments, or to resist temptations with fortitude. For every grace neglected, for every inspiration of the Holy Ghost unheeded, a debt must be paid. Now they see with perfect clarity the immense value of the time they lost on earth. They understand the gravity of their lukewarmness and now burn with the love they should have shown to God in their mortal lives. Let us offer our prayers today to make reparation for their negligence.
Prière du jour
O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst reproach the lukewarm, saying it were better they be cold or hot, I implore Thy mercy for the souls of those who served Thee with negligence and indifference. Forgive them their omissions and their lack of zeal. By the merits of Thy most Sacred Heart, which burns with infinite love for us, supply what was wanting in their love for Thee. Kindle in our hearts a fervent desire to serve Thee faithfully, and grant to these suffering souls a speedy deliverance and the eternal reward of Thy faithful servants. Amen.
Jour 3 : Third Day: For Sins of Worldliness
Méditation
Let us consider the souls who are atoning for sins of worldliness and attachment to earthly things. How many are in Purgatory because their hearts were set upon riches, honours, or the pleasures of the flesh! These attachments, even if not mortally sinful, leave a stain upon the soul that must be purified by fire. The soul was created for God alone, and every inordinate affection for a creature must be purged away before it can be united to the all-holy Creator. They now despise the fleeting vanities for which they offended God, and long only for Him, the sole source of all happiness. Let us pray that they may be freed from the consequences of their earthly attachments.
Prière du jour
O Divine Saviour, who didst declare, ‘Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God,’ I offer Thee my prayers for the souls who are being purified from the stains of worldliness and sensual attachments. By Thy most Precious Blood, wash them clean from every fault. By the sorrows of Thy Immaculate Mother, who stood at the foot of the Cross, grant them relief in their sufferings. We renounce all vanity and attachment to this world, and we beg Thee to deliver these souls from their prison of pain, that they may praise Thee eternally in the courts of Heaven. Amen.
Jour 4 : Fourth Day: For Sins of the Tongue
Méditation
Let us consider the souls who suffer for sins of the tongue. How easily are words spoken that offend God and injure our neighbour! Rash judgments, calumnies, detractions, sharp and angry words, lies, and idle talk—all must be accounted for before the judgment seat of God. The Apostle St. James tells us that the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. For every unjust word that caused harm to another’s reputation, for every lie that violated the truth, a painful satisfaction is now required. Let us make reparation for them by our prayers and by resolving to guard our own speech with greater diligence.
Prière du jour
O Eternal Word made flesh, who atoned for our sinful words by Thy divine silence during Thy Passion, I beseech Thee to have mercy on the souls who are expiating the sins of their tongue. Forgive them for every word spoken against charity, truth, and piety. Grant that through the merits of Thy sacred silence and Thy prayers for Thy executioners, they may be cleansed of their faults. May our tongues be used only for Thy praise and the good of our neighbour, and may these souls be admitted soon to the choirs of angels who sing Thy praises for ever. Amen.
Jour 5 : Fifth Day: For Our Departed Relatives and Friends
Méditation
Let us turn our thoughts today with special tenderness to the souls of our own departed relatives, friends, and benefactors. Charity begins at home, and justice demands that we pray first and foremost for those to whom we are bound by ties of blood and gratitude. Perhaps among them are the souls of our parents, siblings, spouses, or children. They may have been good and pious, yet who can know the secrets of God’s justice? They may be looking to us, their loved ones on earth, for the relief that only our prayers, sacrifices, and good works can provide. To neglect them would be a grave want of charity.
Prière du jour
O God, who hast commanded us to honour our father and our mother, look with mercy upon the souls of my departed relatives and friends. I humbly entreat Thee for the soul(s) of (here mention them by name). Forgive them their trespasses and deliver them from their pains. I offer Thee, in their behalf, the infinite merits of Thy Son, Jesus Christ, His Passion, and His death. I place my prayers in the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that she may present them to Thee. Grant to them, O Lord, eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.
Jour 6 : Sixth Day: For the Most Forgotten Souls
Méditation
Let us consider the most abandoned souls in Purgatory, those who have no one on earth to pray for them. They may have died far from home, without friends or family, or they may have been forgotten by the generations that followed them. Their suffering is intensified by this solitude and abandonment. Yet they are not forgotten by God, nor by the Blessed Mother, the Comforter of the Afflicted. It is a most noble act of charity to adopt these forgotten souls as our own and to offer our suffrages for them. Our prayers may be their only source of relief, and they, in turn, will become our most powerful intercessors when they enter Heaven.
Prière du jour
O merciful Father, who willest not the death of a sinner, but that he be converted and live, extend Thy compassion to the most forgotten and abandoned souls in Purgatory. For them there is no one to offer a prayer, a Mass, or a work of penance. Accept, O Lord, the prayers I offer for them today. Let the Precious Blood of Thy Son be their refreshment and deliverance. O Mary, Mother of Mercy, take these forsaken souls under thy special protection and present them to thy Son, that they may soon behold His face in glory. Amen.
Jour 7 : Seventh Day: For the Souls of Priests and Religious
Méditation
Let us pray today for the souls of priests, bishops, and religious who are in Purgatory. Because of their high calling and sacred office, their responsibilities were greater, and their judgment may be more severe. They were the ministers of the Sacraments, the preachers of the Word, the shepherds of souls. Any negligence in their sacred duties, any scandal given, any soul led astray through their fault, must be rigorously atoned for. Let us pray for those who administered to us the means of salvation, that God may now grant them the salvation they preached to others. It is a sacred duty to pray for our spiritual fathers.
Prière du jour
O Eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ, who didst call Thy priests to be dispensers of Thy mysteries, have mercy on the souls of Thy departed servants, the bishops and priests who served Thy Church. Forgive them their frailties and negligences in their holy ministry. They offered Thy Body and Blood for the living and the dead; may Thy sacrifice now be their salvation. They absolved others from their sins; mayest Thou now absolve them from their debts. Bring them, we beseech Thee, from the church suffering to the Church triumphant, there to intercede for us forever. Amen.
Jour 8 : Eighth Day: The Power of the Holy Mass
Méditation
Let us consider the infinite value of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as a means of relieving the souls in Purgatory. The Mass is not merely a prayer, but the very sacrifice of Calvary made present on our altars. It is the offering of Jesus Christ Himself, Victim and Priest, to the Eternal Father. One Mass offered for the Holy Souls is of greater value than all our personal prayers and penances combined. In the Mass, we unite our humble petitions to the infinite merits of Christ’s Passion and Death. Let us resolve to have Masses offered for our beloved dead and to assist at the Holy Sacrifice with the intention of applying its fruits to them.
Prière du jour
O Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory. I offer it for sinners everywhere, for those in the universal Church, those in my own home, and within my family. Through this most powerful offering, we beseech Thee to shorten their time of trial. Quench the flames that purify them with the Blood of the Lamb, and call them to the place of refreshment, light, and peace. Amen.
Jour 9 : Ninth Day: The Joys of Heaven
Méditation
On this final day, let us consider the immense and unimaginable joy that awaits the souls when they are finally released from Purgatory. Their purification complete, they are admitted into the presence of the Most Holy Trinity. They see God face to face, in all His beauty, goodness, and truth. This is the Beatific Vision, the fulfillment of all their desires. All their past sufferings will seem as nothing compared to the glory that is revealed to them. They will be reunited with the Blessed Virgin Mary, the angels, and the saints, including those they knew on earth. And they will not forget us; filled with gratitude, they will become our powerful intercessors before the throne of God for the rest of our lives.
Prière du jour
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy servants departed the remission of all their sins, that through pious supplications they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. We commend them to Thy infinite mercy. Open the gates of Paradise to them, and let them enjoy the light of eternal day. May they, upon entering into their glory, remember us in our earthly pilgrimage and assist us by their prayers, until we are all united in our heavenly homeland, to praise and love Thee for ever and ever. Amen.
Prière Conclusive
Concluding Prayers for Each Day
(To be said after the day’s specific prayer)
Recite one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and the Eternal Rest prayer.
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, 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 our death. Amen.
Eternal Rest
V. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.
Contexte Historique
Neuvaine structurée en 9 jours.