# Ninth Day of the Divine Mercy Novena
*2016-06-16*

> Bill Young leads the ninth day of the Divine Mercy novena, praying for the victims of the Orlando shooting and reflecting on lukewarm souls, while honoring St. Joseph Cafasso and offering a series of invocations.

## Opening Prayer and the Ninth Day

Bill begins by noting that today is the ninth and perhaps the toughest day of the Divine Mercy novena. He recalls the passage about fire and ice, urging listeners to pray that the fire of our hearts be kindled. He asks for prayers for the 49 victims of the Orlando tragedy, for the shooter, and for all souls to encounter true God, who is love, not hate.

## Traditional Prayers

Bill recites the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Apostles’ Creed, affirming the core beliefs of the Catholic faith.

## Petition for Lukewarm Souls

He prays specifically for those whose faith has grown lukewarm, describing the pain such souls cause to his heart. He asks Jesus, the Most Compassionate, to melt the icy hearts and draw them into the warmth of divine love, invoking the imagery of fire and ice that cannot coexist without God’s mercy.

## Feast of St. Joseph Cafasso

Bill notes that today is the feast of St. Joseph Cafasso (1811‑1860), a 19th‑century priest known for his devotion to the Eucharist, his work with prisoners, and his compassionate ministry despite physical ailments. He uses Cafasso’s example to launch a series of invocations.

## Series of Invocations

A set of five invocations follows:
1. Blessings for creation, light, water, bread, air, and all creatures.
2. “May it be done, O Lord” petitions for perseverance through suffering, misunderstanding, illness, and death.
3. A proclamation of the Beatitudes, affirming the poor, meek, merciful, pure‑hearted, peacemakers, and those persecuted for righteousness.
4. Offering the body and blood of Christ, along with our joys, sorrows, work, and families.
5. A plea for God’s presence amid doubt, temptation, distraction, discouragement, and loneliness.
He then prays a preparation for the Holy Eucharist, asking forgiveness for all sacrileges and indifferences toward the Blessed Sacrament, the Pope, bishops, and Mary.

## Marian Prayer

Bill concludes with a heartfelt prayer to Mary, invoking her purity, mercy, and protection, asking her to intercede for him at the hour of death and to keep him close to the heart of Jesus.

*May the mercy of Christ transform our lukewarm hearts into a fervent love for God and neighbor.*