Prière Introductive
Introductory Prayer
(To be said 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 honour and glory, and for the relief of the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. I desire to gain all the indulgences attached to these prayers. O merciful God, accept my humble petitions and grant that I may one day be united with those for whom I pray, in the kingdom of Thy glory. Amen.
Psalm 130 (De Profundis)
Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice.
Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it.
For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on his word: my soul hath 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.
Jour 1 : Day 1: On the Reality of Purgatory
Méditation
Let us consider the existence of Purgatory. It is a doctrine of our holy Faith that the souls of the just, who depart this life with venial sins or who have not yet made full satisfaction for the temporal punishment due to their mortal sins, are detained in a place of purification. This truth is founded upon the Sacred Scriptures and the constant tradition of the Church. God’s infinite justice requires that every stain of sin be cleansed before a soul can enter into the perfect purity of Heaven, where nothing defiled can be admitted. Yet, His infinite mercy provides this state of purgation, not of damnation, for those who died in His grace and friendship. Let us resolve to pray fervently for these beloved souls, who are destined for Heaven but cannot yet behold the face of God.
Prière du jour
O Jesus, my Saviour, I have so often deserved to be cast into hell; how great were my suffering if I were now in that pit of eternal fire! I thank Thee for Thy mercy, and I entreat Thee to have compassion on the Holy Souls in Purgatory. I offer to Thy Eternal Father on their behalf the merits of Thy Passion and Death. I pray Thee to apply the merits of Thy Precious Blood to the soul who has been longest detained in those cleansing flames. O Lord, bring it forth into the glory of Paradise, that it may praise and bless Thee forever. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest.
Jour 2 : Day 2: On the Sufferings of the Holy Souls
Méditation
Let us consider the twofold suffering of the Holy Souls. The first and most grievous is the pain of loss, which is the temporary deprivation of the Beatific Vision. Having glimpsed the infinite beauty and goodness of God at their judgment, they now long with an unutterable yearning to be united with Him, and this delayed union is a source of immense sorrow. The second is the pain of sense, a cleansing fire which, according to the holy Doctors, surpasses any suffering that can be endured in this life. Yet, these souls suffer with perfect patience, love, and conformity to the will of God, knowing that their purification is drawing them closer to their eternal home. Let us be moved with pity for their state and hasten their relief by our prayers.
Prière du jour
O most merciful Jesus, who art the consoler of the afflicted, look with pity upon the souls who suffer the most intense pains in Purgatory. They are tormented by the fire of their longing for Thee. Accept, O Lord, the prayers I offer for them. I plead on their behalf for the soul that suffers the most intensely, that Thou wouldst shorten its time of trial and admit it quickly to Thy presence in Heaven, where it may glorify Thee for all eternity. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest.
Jour 3 : Day 3: On Our Power to Help Them
Méditation
Let us consider our power to assist the Holy Souls. These blessed souls are members of the Church Suffering. They can no longer merit for themselves, nor can they shorten their time of purification. They are entirely dependent on the charity of the Church Militant on earth and the intercession of the Church Triumphant in Heaven. Our prayers, our penances, our almsdeeds, and above all, the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, are of immense value to them. By a holy commerce, we can apply the merits of Christ and the saints to their relief. What a consoling doctrine is this Communion of Saints! It is a great act of charity to remember them, for they are unable to help themselves.
Prière du jour
O Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech Thee, by the merits of Thy bitter agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, to have mercy on the most forgotten soul in Purgatory. Deliver that soul which has no special intercessor on earth to plead for it. Unite my poor prayers with the merits of Thy Agony, and present them to the Father on its behalf. Release it from its pains, that it may join the choirs of angels in singing Thy praises for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest.
Jour 4 : Day 4: For Our Deceased Relatives and Friends
Méditation
Let us consider our special duty to pray for our deceased relatives and friends. Piety and gratitude demand that we remember in a particular way the souls of our parents, siblings, spouses, children, and all our kin who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. We owe them so much for the benefits we received from them in this life. How can we be indifferent to their sufferings now? They may be crying out to us for relief. Let us examine our conscience: have we been faithful in praying for our own departed? Let us now resolve to make amends for any negligence and to offer special suffrages for them during this novena.
Prière du jour
O God, who hast commanded us to honour our father and our mother, look with mercy upon the souls of my parents and all my relatives departed. Forgive them their trespasses and grant that I may see them again in the joy of eternal brightness. I offer Thee, on their behalf, the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, my Saviour, and I beseech Thee to shorten their time of suffering. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, bring them into Thy kingdom of peace and light. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest.
Jour 5 : Day 5: For Deceased Priests and Religious
Méditation
Let us consider the souls of priests and religious who are in Purgatory. Those who were consecrated to God and served as His ministers on earth held a sublime office, but also a fearful responsibility. For any negligence in their sacred duties, for any scandal given, for any soul led astray, they must render a strict account. It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for these consecrated souls, who administered the sacraments to us, preached the word of God, and guided us in the way of salvation. Let us show our gratitude by praying for their speedy release from Purgatory, that they may enter into the joy of the Lord whom they served on earth.
Prière du jour
O Divine High Priest, Jesus Christ, have mercy on the souls of Thy priests and consecrated servants who are detained in Purgatory. For any failing in their sacred ministry, for any lukewarmness in their love for Thee, grant them Thy pardon. I pray especially for the priest who baptized me, the priests who heard my confessions, and those who gave me Thy Body and Blood in Holy Communion. Hasten the day of their deliverance and admit them to the eternal sanctuary of Heaven, there to intercede for us. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest.
Jour 6 : Day 6: For Those Who Died Suddenly
Méditation
Let us consider the souls of those who died suddenly and without preparation. How many souls are called from this life unexpectedly, by accident, violence, or sudden illness! They had no time to receive the last sacraments, no moment to commend their souls to God with a final act of contrition. While we trust in the infinite mercy of God, who can save a soul in an instant, it is likely that many such souls are in great need of our prayers to purify them from the attachments and imperfections of their lives. Let us have a special compassion for them and offer our prayers for those who were deprived of the final consolations of the Church.
Prière du jour
O most compassionate Jesus, who didst show such mercy to the penitent thief upon the cross, we implore Thee to look with pity upon the souls of all who have died a sudden and unprovided death. Forgive them the sins of their past life, and by Thy holy Passion, grant them a place of refreshment, light, and peace. We offer our prayers for the victims of war, disaster, and all who were taken from this world without warning. May they find mercy at Thy judgment seat and be swiftly admitted to Thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest.
Jour 7 : Day 7: For Our Deceased Benefactors
Méditation
Let us consider the souls who in life were our benefactors. There are many to whom we are indebted for spiritual and temporal favours: our teachers, our guides, our friends, and all who have shown us kindness. It is a duty of justice and charity to repay their goodness by remembering them after death. Perhaps some of them are now suffering in Purgatory and looking to us for the charity of our prayers. Let us not be ungrateful. Let us offer our suffrages for them, that God may reward them for the good they have done to us and to others, and may speedily bring them to their eternal reward.
Prière du jour
O Lord, God of all goodness, we humbly beseech Thee to reward the souls of our benefactors. For all the spiritual and temporal blessings we have received through their charity, we pray Thee to grant them eternal rest. Deign to release from their pains all those who have helped us on our journey to Thee. May our prayers be a token of our gratitude, and may they obtain for these souls a swift entry into the joys of Heaven, where they may praise Thy bounty forever. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest.
Jour 8 : Day 8: For the Soul Nearest to Heaven
Méditation
Let us consider the soul that is nearest to its release from Purgatory. Among the multitudes of suffering souls, there is ever one who is on the threshold of Heaven, one for whom the final moment of purification is at hand. A single prayer, a small act of charity offered for this soul, may be the final suffrage needed to complete its satisfaction and open for it the gates of Paradise. What a joy it is to think that our prayer today might be the very one that ushers a soul into the presence of God! Let us offer our devotions with special fervour for this blessed soul, who will soon be able to pray for us before the throne of God.
Prière du jour
O Lord Jesus Christ, King of Glory, we pray Thee to look with special favour upon the soul in Purgatory that is closest to its deliverance. By the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, and St. Joseph, patron of the dying, we ask Thee to accept our humble prayers on its behalf. Quicken its entry into glory, that it may at once begin its eternal canticle of praise to Thee. And when it stands before Thy throne, may it remember our needs and intercede for us who still journey in this vale of tears. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest.
Jour 9 : Day 9: On the Gratitude of the Holy Souls
Méditation
Let us consider the immense gratitude of the souls whom we help to release. The souls in Purgatory, once admitted to Heaven, become our most powerful and grateful intercessors. They cannot forget those who, by their prayers and sacrifices, shortened their time of exile. From their place in glory, they will pray for us, their benefactors, with a love and fervour far exceeding our own. They will protect us in danger, assist us in our struggles, and obtain for us the graces necessary for salvation. Therefore, in praying for the dead, we are also wisely providing for our own future. Let us persevere in this holy practice, confident that we are laying up for ourselves a treasure in Heaven.
Prière du jour
O glorious saints of Heaven, who were once suffering members of the Church Purgative, we rejoice in your eternal happiness. We thank God for having brought you into His Kingdom. We pray you, do not forget us who are still in danger. Intercede for us, that we may live holy lives, die a happy death, and one day join you in paradise. We offer this final prayer for all the Holy Souls, that this very day, a multitude of them may be released from their pains and enter into the joy of their Lord. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Eternal Rest.
Prière Conclusive
Concluding Prayer
(To be said each day)
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
O Lord, God omnipotent, I beseech Thee by the Precious Blood which Thy divine Son Jesus shed in the garden, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and especially that soul which is most destitute of spiritual aid; and vouchsafe to bring it to Thy glory, there to praise and bless Thee forever. Amen.
Contexte Historique
Neuvaine structurée en 9 jours.