# Petition to Our Lady of Suffrage for Manchester
*2017-05-24*

> Bill Young reflects on the feast of St. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi and offers prayers for the victims of the Manchester terrorist attack, emphasizing the power of intercession for the souls in purgatory.

## Reflections on St. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi

Today is May 24th, the feast day of a saint I am just becoming familiar with: St. Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi. She was an Italian nun who experienced many apparitions and mystical ecstasies. When I think about those experiences of feeling an overwhelming sense of God's love, it reminds me of the profound union the spirit can have with the Creator.

## Praying for the Victims of Manchester

In light of the current events in the world, specifically the tragedy in Manchester where 22 souls were killed by a radical terrorist, it is appropriate to turn to prayer. The perpetrator claimed to act for his god, but our God is love. He teaches us to love our neighbors and even our enemies, not to kill. We offer our prayers for those who were killed, the more than 50 who were injured, and all the grieving family members.

## The Petition to Our Lady of Suffrage

I want to share a beautiful prayer called the Petition to Our Lady of Suffrage. This prayer asks the Blessed Mother to turn her merciful gaze toward us so that our lukewarm lives may be transformed into a fever of holiness. We commend to her the souls of the dearly departed—our relatives, friends, and those who have been forgotten by the world. We ask that the time of the souls suffering in purgatory be shortened so they may be welcomed into the heavenly family.

God has no concept of time; therefore, whenever you pray for the deceased, it is a prayer for eternity. Whether you lost someone recently or many years ago, your intercession matters.

## The Divine Mercy Chaplet

As we approach the 3 o'clock hour—the hour of Divine Mercy—I want to discuss the Chaplet of Divine Mercy given to St. Faustina. The Lord revealed this as a powerful prayer, especially for the dying. He promised that when this chaplet is prayed in the presence of a dying person, He will stand between the Father and that person, not as a judge, but as a merciful Savior.

The chaplet is recited as a series of decades, beginning with the Our Father and Hail Mary, followed by the Eternal Father prayer. It is a source of unimaginable grace for those who trust in His mercy and is particularly powerful when prayed as a novena.

## A Call to Hope and Perseverance

Finally, I want to offer a prayer for those living in Manchester and for my friend, Ariel de Grande. To those who feel tormented by tragedy: know that you are not alone and that you can find strength in prayer. Do not give up on the people around you or the talents God has given you. If we succumb to despair, then the terrorists win.

*Through the intercession of Our Lady of Suffrage and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, we can bring comfort to the suffering and peace to the souls of the departed.*