# Wednesday Chaplet of Divine Mercy for Souls in Purgatory
*2021-04-26*

> Bill Young and John O'Rourke lead the Wednesday prayer of their Divine Mercy novena, offering the Chaplet, prayers for souls in purgatory, and a special devotion to those who especially venerate God’s mercy.

## Opening and Intentions

Bill welcomes listeners to Catholic Conscience 2.0 and explains that today’s focus is the Wednesday prayer of the Divine Mercy novena. He reads the specific intention: “O Lord, God Almighty, by the precious blood which the Divine Son Jesus shed in the streets of Jerusalem, when He carried the cross upon His scarred shoulders, deliver the souls in purgatory, especially those richest in merit before You, that they may enter the throne of glory and bless You forever. Amen.”

## The Chaplet of Divine Mercy

The hosts begin the Chaplet with the Sign of the Cross, then pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Apostles’ Creed. Bill leads the opening prayer of the Chaplet, invoking the fountain of divine mercy that flows from the blood and water of Christ’s heart. The group recites the standard prayers of the Chaplet, offering the body and blood of Christ for the atonement of sins and for the whole world, repeatedly invoking “For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.”

## Prayers for the Souls Who Venerate Mercy

Bill reflects on the special intention for today’s day of the novena: the souls who especially venerate and glorify God’s mercy. He prays that these souls, who sorrow most over Christ’s passion, may be shielded from hell and receive the light of God’s compassion at the hour of death. He asks the Eternal Father to turn His merciful gaze upon them, that they may be “the living gospel” whose hearts overflow with joy and whose hands bear the sign of mercy.

## Litany of Divine Mercy

The hosts recite a litany praising Divine Mercy, responding each line with “I trust in You.” The litany moves through the attributes of mercy—its origin in the Father, its manifestation in the Incarnation, the wounds of Jesus, the sacraments, the Church, and its power to heal, protect, and bring hope to all souls.

## Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bill concludes with a prayer asking God to increase His mercy in us so that we may not despair in difficulty but submit confidently to His holy will. He thanks listeners, invites them to join the daily Zoom prayer at 3 p.m., and ends with a blessing.

*Praying for souls, especially those who cherish God’s mercy, draws us deeper into the compassion of Christ.*