Got a confession to make. I was so immersed Wednesday in preparing for a talk that I delivered yesterday…I FORGOT TO PRAY THE NOVENA. I recall that at 3 p.m. that day, I stopped my work for a moment to immerse in the Lord’s Passion, remembering Him and thanking Him, then went back to my work with the intention of praying the whole chaplet later on in the day. And…I forgot.
What can we do if we’ve missed a day of the novena?
Here’s a great article by Dr. Robert Stackpole, STD which offers some food for thought for those times when we “mess up” our prayer plans.
I’m looking forward with great anticipation to Divine Mercy Sunday as we approach the end of our novena.
In a special way today, I’m very moved by today’s novena intention of bringing to Christ the souls who are detained in purgatory given the recent death a loved one.
Here are some links to more information about purgatory, so that we can not only understanding our Church’s teaching more clearly, but also so that we may contemplate the mercy of purgatory:
- Is Catholic Purgatory Real?
- 4 Part Purgatory Series by Dr. Robert Stackpole, STD
Today bring to Me the souls who are detained in purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.
Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.
Opening Prayers
First, recite the Daily Intention for each of the nine days of the novena (different one each day), and certainly consider adding your own as well for the intentions that you desire to bring to the Heart of Jesus.
Make the sign of the cross, saying “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.
(NOTE: See what Christ instructed St. Faustina about this next portion of this prayer – such powerful intercession for those we are interceding for conversion. Christ says: “If you say this prayer, with a contrite heart and with faith,on behalf of some sinner I will give that soul the grace of conversion”.)
“O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus
as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus
as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus
as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!”
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.
Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
Repeat this sequence on each decade as follows:
(On the “Our Father” beads, pray…)
“Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.”
(On the Ten Beads of Each Decade, pray…)
“For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”
Holy God
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,
have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Final Prayer
Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself. Amen.