# Labor Day Prayer for Workers, Souls in Purgatory, and Those Separated from the Church
*2021-09-06*

> Bill Young and John O'Rourke lead a Labor Day prayer, offering the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, prayers for workers, souls in purgatory, and especially for those who have left the Catholic Church.

## Opening and Intentions

Bill welcomes listeners to the Labor Day episode of Catholic Conscience 2.0. He explains that today’s prayer focuses on workers and their families, the souls in purgatory, and especially those who have separated themselves from the Church. He greets John and invites everyone to join the Zoom meeting for the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

## Opening Prayer and Scripture

The hosts begin with a prayer for the souls in purgatory, asking God to deliver them swiftly. They continue with a traditional opening prayer invoking the source of life, the blood and water of Christ, and the mercy of God. This is followed by the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and Psalm 130 (De Profundis), expressing trust in the Lord’s forgiveness and hope.

They recite the Apostles’ Creed, affirming belief in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, and the resurrection of the body.

## The Chaplet of Divine Mercy

Bill leads the Chaplet, offering the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of the whole world. The repeated invocations “Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the sake of His sorrowful Passion. Have mercy on us and on the whole world” are prayed several times, as is customary in the Chaplet.

## Special Prayer for Those Who Have Left the Church

Bill prays a specific intention for souls who have separated themselves from the Catholic Church, asking that Christ’s mercy draw them back into communion with the Body of Christ. He petitions the Eternal Father to look upon these souls with compassion, remembering Christ’s Passion and the love of the Son.

## Litany of Divine Mercy and Additional Prayers

John leads the Litany of Divine Mercy, with the response “I trust in you” after each invocation. The litany praises God’s mercy in creation, salvation, the sacraments, and the afterlife.

Following the litany, Bill offers a prayer for the souls in purgatory, a special prayer to the Holy Name of Mary for those away from the true Church, and a “sacrificial prayer” attributed to Our Lady of Fatima, asking for conversion of sinners and reparation for offenses against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

## Announcements and Closing

Bill shares information about an upcoming international Catholic congress hosted by Thomas Swinski, noting the multilingual speakers and modest registration fee. He encourages listeners to share the podcast, especially with Catholics who have drifted away, and reminds everyone to pray the Rosary daily. The episode ends with a blessing and a reminder that Christ is present when believers gather, even on Zoom.

*May the mercy of Christ draw all souls—especially those who have strayed—back into the loving embrace of the one true Church.*