Week 3 - Prayers for the Faithful Departed

"Praying for the souls in purgatory is the highest act of supernatural charity"
-Pope St. John Paul II

Seventeenth Day

​When we stand before God in the hour of judgment, will we not welcome the Holy Souls who will throng about His thrown to plead our cause, if we have shown ourselves merciful and compassionate toward them in their hour of need?

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

​O Lord Jesus Christ, relieve the sufferings of Thy departed servants, that they may not languish in Purgatory because of our neglect and thoughtlessness. Deliver them from their pains that they may praise Thee forever in Heaven and intercede for us when the hour of death draws near.

Eighteenth Day

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

Mother of Mercy, thy power is so great that thy Divine Son will refuse Thee nothing. Implore Him, therefore, to release from the pains of Purgatory, our parents, friends, and benefactors, that they may join the Heavenly Chorus in praising Him and in interceding for us.

 Aguilera

Nineteenth Day

​We have loved them during life, let us not abandon them until we have conducted them by our prayers into the House of the Lord.

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

O Lord Jesus, graciously hear the pleas of the Holy Souls. By the merits of Thy Passion and Death released them from the pains of Purgatory. Particularly the soul most devoted to Your Virgin Mother, that he may evermore praise Thee in Heaven and intercede for me.

Andreas F. Borchert

Twentieth Day

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

Most merciful Jesus, by the merits of Thy five wounds, hear our prayers in behalf of the faithful departed now awaiting Thy word in Purgatory. Grant, O Lord, to show particular mercy to the soul that did most to propagate the devotion to Thy Sacred Heart while on earth. Speed his journey to Heaven, that he may join Thy Angels in praising Thee forever.

Twenty-First Day

​To find ourselves forgotten on earth by those whom we love and who have loved us is a cruel trial – but to find ourselves in Purgatory – forgotten by all whom we loved and helped on earth must be a most painful sorrow.

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

​O my God, infinitely just, hear our prayers in reparation for the souls suffering in Purgatory
for want of charity. Release them from their pains that they may evermore praise Thee and
intercede at Thy Judgment Seat for us at the hour of our death.

Twenty-Second Day

​​Let us never cease our prayers for the faithful departed. St. Francis De Sales often said: “I fear the good opinion which my friends have formed of me: they well believe me in heaven and leave me to suffer.”

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

​Most merciful Jesus, have mercy on the Souls in Purgatory. For us, Thou didst become Man and suffer to die. By the merits of Thy agony and death, release the faithful departed from their pains, that they may enjoy everlasting bliss in Heaven.

The Great Crucifixion

Twenty-Third Day

​​When, by our prayers, we release a soul from Purgatory, we have not only won his gratitude, but the gratitude of his Guardian Angel, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom is soul was consecrated, and of God Himself who was enabled through us to sooner shower His blessings on it.

Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Glory Be, De Profundis

​Most beloved Jesus, if I could but say: “There is a soul in Heaven at this time that owes to me its release from Purgatory, a soul that speaks to God for me, that glorifies God for me, that loves Thy Blessed Mother for me. If it were thus how happy I should be.” Release from the pains of Purgatory the soul careless and hurried in prayer. Take him to the joys of heaven, that he may evermore praise Thee and intercede for me at the hour of need.

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De Profundis

Out of the depths, I have cried to Thee, O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.  Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.  If thou, O Lord, shalt mark my iniquities O 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 relief 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 plenteous redemption.  And He shall redeem Israel from all its iniquities.  Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May they rest in peace.  Amen. ​