# Novena prayer to our suffering savior for the holy souls in purgatory: day one
*2021-09-28*

> Hosts Bill Young and John O'Rourke begin a nine-day novena for the souls in purgatory, accompanied by the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary and prayers for the sick.

## Beginning the Novena

Today we are starting a new novena for the souls in purgatory, which will conclude the day before All Souls' Day. John O'Rourke leads us in the opening prayers, beginning with an act of contrition and a plea for the grace of perseverance, asking for mercy both for ourselves and for the blessed souls suffering in purgatory.

## Prayer to Our Suffering Savior

We pray specifically to our Suffering Savior, meditating on the Passion of Christ to intercede for the holy souls. We ask for mercy through the bloody sweat in the Garden of Gethsemani, the cruel scourging, the crowning with thorns, the carrying of the Cross to Calvary, the crucifixion, the bitter agony of the Cross, and the moment Jesus breathed forth His blessed soul. We offer these prayers for all souls in purgatory, including those who died from coronavirus, family members, and friends.

## The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

Following the novena, we pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. We meditate on the Annunciation (fruit: humility), the Visitation (fruit: love of neighbor), the Birth of Our Lord (fruit: poverty), the Presentation (fruit: obedience), and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple (fruit: piety). We conclude the Rosary with the Hail Holy Queen and prayers for our Holy Father, Pope Francis.

## Intercessions for the Sick and the Angelus

We take a moment to pray for the sick, specifically mentioning Isabel and Diane, as well as all those battling cancer regardless of age. As it is 6:00 p.m., we also pray the Angelus, a brief but powerful prayer recited morning, noon, and evening to center our hearts on the Incarnation of Christ and the obedience of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

## The Sacrificial Prayer

Finally, we offer the sacrificial prayer given by Our Lady of Fatima to the children on July 13, 1917. This prayer is intended for those enduring suffering or making sacrifices: 'O Jesus, this is for the love of You, for the conversion of poor sinners, and in reparation for offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.'

*Let us be diligent in praying for the souls in purgatory, for they need our help and we will one day need the same intercession for ourselves.*