# Praying for the souls in purgatory: the chaplet of divine mercy
*2021-07-21*

> Bill Young and John O'Rourke gather for the 3 o'clock hour to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and offer special intentions for the souls in purgatory.

## Opening prayers and intentions

Good afternoon. This is Bill Young and John O'Rourke, and welcome to Catholic Conscience 2.0. We are gathering in the 3 o'clock hour to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. We've been away for a few days as I was feeling under the weather and John had some treatments, but we are glad to be back.

We begin in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We open with a prayer to Jesus, the source of life, asking that the ocean of His mercy open up for the whole world. O Blood and Water which gush forth from the Heart of Jesus, You are a fountain of mercy for us. I trust in You.

## Interceding for the souls in purgatory

Today we focus on the eighth day of the novena, specifically praying for the souls who are detained in purgatory. We ask the Lord God Almighty, by the precious blood shed by His Son, Jesus, to deliver the souls in purgatory—especially those richest in merit—so that they may enter the world of glory and bless Him forever.

We reflect on the reality that these souls are dearly loved by Christ, yet must satisfy the requirements of His justice. We pray that the blood and water gushing from the Heart of Jesus may put out the flames of purgatory, and we beg the Eternal Father to turn His merciful gaze upon them.

## The chaplet and the De Profundis

As part of our devotion, we pray the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Apostles' Creed. We also pray Psalm 130, the De Profundis: 'Out of the depths I have cried to You, Lord.' We acknowledge that with the Lord there is mercy and plentiful redemption.

We then move into the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, offering the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ to the Father for the sake of His sorrowful Passion, pleading for mercy upon us and the whole world. We conclude this portion by proclaiming: 'Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.'

## The litany and final petitions

We continue with the Litany of Divine Mercy, the words given to St. Faustina, responding with 'I trust in You' to the various mysteries of God's mercy—from the founding of the Holy Church to the mercy that embraces us at the hour of death.

We also offer a sacrificial prayer for the conversion of poor sinners and in reparation for offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, remembering the events of Fatima. Finally, we conclude with a prayer to St. Joseph, the guardian of virgins, asking for the grace of a pure heart and a chaste body to serve Jesus and Mary all the days of our lives.

*Through the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the intercession of the saints, we can bring relief to the souls in purgatory and find confidence in God's endless compassion.*