# The seventh day of the novena to divine mercy
*2021-06-16*

> Bill Young and John O'Rourke lead a prayer session focused on the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the seventh day of the Novena, specifically praying for the souls who venerate and glorify God's mercy.

## Prayers for the souls in purgatory

We begin our session today, Wednesday, June 16, by focusing our intentions on the souls in purgatory. Specifically, we pray for those souls who are rich in merit before the throne of glory, that they may be released to heaven to magnify and bless God forever. Lord Almighty, I ask you, by your precious blood which your divine son, Jesus, shed in the streets of Jerusalem while carrying the cross upon his shoulders, deliver the souls in purgatory, especially those richest in merit, so that they may bless you forever.

## The chaplet of divine mercy

Together with John and Gabby, we enter into the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. We begin by invoking the source of life and the ocean of mercy to empty Himself out upon the whole world. Following the opening prayer, we recite the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the De Profundis (Psalm 130:2-5), acknowledging that while the Lord marks our iniquities, there is forgiveness with Him.

We continue with the Apostles' Creed and the five decades of the Chaplet. For each decade, we offer the body and blood, soul and divinity of our beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the sake of His sorrowful passion, begging for mercy on us and on the whole world.

## The seventh day of the novena

Today marks the seventh day of the Novena to Divine Mercy, which is dedicated to the souls who especially venerate and glorify His mercy. These souls are the living image of the compassionate heart of Jesus; they sorrow for His passion and immerse themselves in His mercy. It is promised that these souls will shine with a special radiance in the next life and that Jesus Himself will defend them at the hour of death.

We pray that the Eternal Father turns His merciful gaze upon these souls, who are the living gospel and whose hearts overflow with the joy of God's mercy. May they accomplish the promise of Jesus to be defended as His glory.

## Litany and closing reflections

We conclude our prayer time with the Litany of Divine Mercy, given by Jesus to St. Faustina, repeating the response, "I trust in you." We reflect on Divine Mercy as the greatest attribute of God, the source of our happiness, and the only hope for despairing souls.

To close, we offer a prayer of sacrifice for the conversion of poor sinners and reparation for offenses committed against the Sacred Heart of Mary. We also join in a short prayer for the Church, the Pope, and the clergy, asking the Sacred Heart of Jesus to extend the sweet empire of His love over all hearts.

*Those who venerate and glorify the greatness of God's mercy become living images of His compassionate heart and find a special defender in Jesus at the hour of death.*