Novena for the Holy Souls

Day 3

10 min

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.

Novena for the Holy Souls

Opening prayer:

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, I come before You for the souls of the faithful departed who suffer in purgatory. By the Precious Blood of Your Son, wash away whatever still stains them, and lead them quickly into the light of Your presence. Amen.

Read the meditation and offer the intention of the day.

Day 3: A purifying love

Purgatory is not punishment without hope but a love that burns away every imperfection. The souls there suffer gladly, for each pang draws them nearer to the God they already love. Theirs is a holy longing, like the bride seeking her beloved, willing to be wholly cleansed before the wedding feast. They would not return to earth if they could, knowing that this fire is the gentle hand of a Father making them ready for His embrace.

O God of burning love, You purify what You long to embrace. Make the suffering souls glad in their cleansing, increase in them the holy desire to see Your face, and let my prayers shorten the hour of their purification. Amen.

Today's intention:

For souls being purified of the last attachments that keep them from God.

Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be.

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.

Pater noster, qui es in cælis,

sanctificétur nomen tuum.

Advéniat regnum tuum.

Fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra.

Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie,

et dimítte nobis débita nostra,

sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris.

Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem,

sed líbera nos a malo.

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 our death.

Amen.

Ave María, grátia plena, Dóminus tecum.

Benedícta tu in muliéribus,

et benedíctus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.

Sancta María, Mater Dei,

ora pro nobis peccatóribus,

nunc et in hora mortis nostræ.

Amen.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,

et in sǽcula sæculórum.

Amen.

Closing prayer:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace, and may the gates of heaven open to receive them into the company of the saints. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.