About the Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
The Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory is a traditional Catholic devotion that asks Jesus Christ to show mercy to the faithful departed who are being purified before entering Heaven. Through this nine-day prayer, we remember those who have died, commend them to God’s infinite mercy, and ask that they may soon enjoy the joy of eternal life. As we pray for the Holy Souls, we also entrust our own needs to God, trusting in His love and justice.
About the Holy Souls in Purgatory
The Holy Souls in Purgatory are the faithful departed who died in God’s friendship but still undergo the final purification needed to enter the fullness of Heaven. The Catholic Church teaches that our prayers, sacrifices, and acts of charity can assist these souls by God’s grace.
Praying for the Holy Souls is one of the Church’s spiritual works of mercy. This devotion reminds us of the Communion of Saints, which unites the faithful on earth, the souls being purified, and the saints in Heaven in the love of Christ. By praying for the faithful departed, we express hope in the Resurrection and confidence in God’s mercy.
What is the Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory?
The Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory is a nine-day Catholic prayer asking Jesus Christ to have mercy on the faithful departed and grant them eternal rest and the joy of Heaven.
What is Purgatory?
Purgatory is the state of final purification for those who die in God’s grace and friendship but still need purification before entering Heaven. It is not a second chance at salvation but a preparation for the fullness of eternal life with God.
Why do Catholics pray for the Holy Souls?
Catholics pray for the Holy Souls because the Church teaches that our prayers, sacrifices, and Masses can help the faithful departed through God’s mercy. This practice is one of the spiritual works of mercy.
Can the Holy Souls pray for us?
While the Church officially teaches that we should pray for the Holy Souls, many Catholics also believe they pray for those who remember them. Numerous saints encouraged devotion to the Holy Souls and trusted in their intercession, though the Church’s primary emphasis remains on praying for them.
When should I pray this novena?
This novena may be prayed at any time during the year. It is especially popular leading up to All Souls’ Day (November 2), during the month of November, which is dedicated to praying for the faithful departed, or whenever you wish to remember a deceased loved one.
What intentions can I include in this novena?
You may pray for deceased family members and friends, forgotten souls, victims of war or disasters, priests and religious, all the faithful departed, or any personal intention while asking God’s mercy upon the Holy Souls.
How do I pray the Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory?
Pray the novena once each day for nine consecutive days. Offer your intentions, meditate on Christ’s Passion and mercy, and entrust the Holy Souls to God’s infinite love while praying for their eternal rest.
What prayer is commonly offered for the faithful departed?
One of the most well-known Catholic prayers is:
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.”
| Novena Begins: | October 24 |
| Feast Day: | November 2 |
Patron Saint of all Souls in Purgatory
This Novena, written by Saint Alphonsus Liguori
Day 1 – Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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.
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.
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.
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.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
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.
(Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions here.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee. I entreat thee, who art so dear to God and art secure of never losing Him, to pray for me, a miserable sinner, who am in danger of being damned and of losing God forever.
Amen.
Pray: 1 Our Father…
Pray: 1 Hail Mary…
Pray: 1 Glory Be…
Day 2 – Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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.
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.
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.
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.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
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.
(Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions here.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee. I entreat thee, who art so dear to God and art secure of never losing Him, to pray for me, a miserable sinner, who am in danger of being damned and of losing God forever.
Amen.
Pray: 1 Our Father…
Pray: 1 Hail Mary…
Pray: 1 Glory Be…
Day 3 – Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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.
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.
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.
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.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
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.
(Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions here.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee. I entreat thee, who art so dear to God and art secure of never losing Him, to pray for me, a miserable sinner, who am in danger of being damned and of losing God forever.
Amen.
Pray: 1 Our Father…
Pray: 1 Hail Mary…
Pray: 1 Glory Be…
Day 4 – Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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.
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.
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.
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.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
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.
(Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions here.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee. I entreat thee, who art so dear to God and art secure of never losing Him, to pray for me, a miserable sinner, who am in danger of being damned and of losing God forever.
Amen.
Pray: 1 Our Father…
Pray: 1 Hail Mary…
Pray: 1 Glory Be…
Day 5 – Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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.
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.
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.
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.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
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.
(Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions here.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee. I entreat thee, who art so dear to God and art secure of never losing Him, to pray for me, a miserable sinner, who am in danger of being damned and of losing God forever.
Amen.
Pray: 1 Our Father…
Pray: 1 Hail Mary…
Pray: 1 Glory Be…
Day 6 – Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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.
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.
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.
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.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
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.
(Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions here.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee. I entreat thee, who art so dear to God and art secure of never losing Him, to pray for me, a miserable sinner, who am in danger of being damned and of losing God forever.
Amen.
Pray: 1 Our Father…
Pray: 1 Hail Mary…
Pray: 1 Glory Be…
Day 7 – Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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.
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.
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.
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.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
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.
(Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions here.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee. I entreat thee, who art so dear to God and art secure of never losing Him, to pray for me, a miserable sinner, who am in danger of being damned and of losing God forever.
Amen.
Pray: 1 Our Father…
Pray: 1 Hail Mary…
Pray: 1 Glory Be…
Day 8 – Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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.
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.
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.
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.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
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.
(Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions here.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee. I entreat thee, who art so dear to God and art secure of never losing Him, to pray for me, a miserable sinner, who am in danger of being damned and of losing God forever.
Amen.
Pray: 1 Our Father…
Pray: 1 Hail Mary…
Pray: 1 Glory Be…
Day 9 – Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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.
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.
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.
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.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
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.
(Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions here.)
Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee. I entreat thee, who art so dear to God and art secure of never losing Him, to pray for me, a miserable sinner, who am in danger of being damned and of losing God forever.
Amen.
Pray: 1 Our Father…
Pray: 1 Hail Mary…
Pray: 1 Glory Be…
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