# Fifth Day of the Divine Mercy Novena – Praying for the Separated
*2018-04-03*

> Bill Young leads the fifth day of the Divine Mercy novena, praying for souls who have drifted from the Church, including recent victims of tragedy, and reflects on the mystery of the Trinity in our daily lives.

## Opening Prayer and Intentions

Good afternoon, I’m Bill Young. Today we continue the Divine Mercy novena on its fifth day, focusing on the intention: “Bring to Me the souls of those who have separated themselves from the Church.” We begin by asking the Lord to hear our prayers for those who have died or are living apart from the Church’s sacramental life.

## Recent Tragedies and Our Prayerful Response

We lift up to the Lord the souls of Muhammad Ali, who recently lost his battle with Parkinson’s disease, and the young singer Christina Grimmie, who was tragically shot after a concert in Orlando, Florida. May God grant them eternal rest and bring comfort to their families. We also pray for all souls who have, for any reason, become separated from the Church.

## A Personal Reflection on the Trinity

Earlier I noticed a small arrangement of flowers on my desk—a triangle of blossoms that reminded me of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I asked the Holy Spirit for guidance in understanding how this image relates to the Divine Mercy devotion. The Trinity is always present with Christ: the Father sent the Son, the Holy Spirit descended at baptism, and the Spirit filled the apostles at Pentecost. Just as we receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, the three Persons of the Trinity are ever‑present with us. This mystery invites us to contemplate how God’s love surrounds us in every moment.

## Traditional Prayers of the Novena

We recite the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Apostles’ Creed, affirming our belief in the Triune God and the communion of saints. Then we pray the specific novena prayer for the fifth day, invoking the mercy of Jesus to draw back to the Church those who have strayed, especially the souls of Muhammad Ali and Christina Grimmie.

## Petition for Grace and Conversion

Lord Jesus, we ask that your divine mercy transform our hearts. Grant us the strength to live according to your commandments, to hunger for your Holy Spirit, and to bear witness to the faith through our works. May the souls who are distant from the Church be moved to return, and may the departed rest in your glorious presence.

*May the Trinity’s constant presence inspire us to pray fervently for the conversion and salvation of all souls.*