# Easter Thursday: The seventh day of the novena to divine mercy
*2019-04-24*

> Bill Young leads the seventh day of the Novena to Divine Mercy, focusing on the souls who venerate and glorify God's mercy.

## Introduction and Community News

Good morning. This is Bill Young, and welcome to the Prayer N Lunch podcast. Today is Easter Thursday, and we are continuing our journey with the Novena of Divine Mercy. We are praying on day seven: 'The souls who are especially venerated and glorified by my mercy.'

I want to mention how much I am enjoying the book 'Ten Wonders of the Rosary' by Father Donald H. Galloway. Thank you to Father Chris Laugh and the Marian helpers for providing these to our group at St. David's Catholic Church in Davie, Florida. I hope everyone in the group who received a copy is finding it as helpful as I am.

## The Chaplet of Divine Mercy

We begin with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayer: 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. All blood and water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as the fount of mercy for us, I trust in You.

Following the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Apostles' Creed, we pray the decades: '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.' And on the Hail Mary beads: 'For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.'

Concluding the Chaplet: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Eternal God, whose mercy is endless and whose treasures of compassion are inexhaustible, look kindly upon us to increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we may not despair nor become despondent, but will have great confidence to submit ourselves to the holy will, which is love and mercy itself. Amen.

## Day Seven of the Novena

Today's reflection focuses on the souls who especially venerate and glorify God's mercy. These souls are immersed in mercy and are sorrowful over the Passion of Christ, entering deeply into His spirit. They are living images of His compassionate heart and will shine with special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fires of hell; the Lord shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.

These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all the afflictions and adversities that befall them, they remain confident in His mercy. United to Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. They will not be judged severely, but His mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.

## Closing Prayer and Final Arrangements

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon those souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, Your most fathomless mercy. These souls are the living Gospel; their hands are filled with deeds of mercy and their hearts overflow with joy. I beg You, O God, show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let Your promise be accomplished in them—that during their life, and especially at the hour of death, the souls who venerated His fathomless mercy will be defended by His glory. Amen.

Tomorrow, Friday evening at 6:00 p.m., we will have our final meeting for the '33 Days of Merciful Love' at St. David's Catholic Church. We will watch the final two episodes of the series by Father Michael Gately in preparation for our consecration to Divine Mercy this Sunday. Please pray that we are able to hold the consecration inside the church, either at St. David's or perhaps with the group at St. Gregory's.

*Those who venerate and trust in the fathomless mercy of God become living images of His compassionate heart and are promised His special protection at the hour of death.*