# Pray “I Adore You, O Holy Cross” to Release Souls from Purgatory on Good Friday
*2023-04-07*

> Bill Young guides listeners through the traditional Good Friday prayer “I adore you, O Holy Cross,” explaining its papal origins and how reciting it 33 times can aid souls in Purgatory.

## Why This Prayer on Good Friday?

Good Friday is the day the Church commemorates Christ’s Passion and death on the Cross. A long‑standing devotion, recorded by Pope Gregory XIII and Pope Paul V, calls the faithful to pray the prayer “I adore you, O Holy Cross” 33 times on this day. The number 33 recalls the years of Christ’s earthly life, and each recitation is believed to assist a soul in Purgatory.

## The Prayer Itself

The prayer is simple and reverent:

“I worship you, O Holy Cross, which was adorned with the most holy Body of my Lord, covered and stained by His most precious Blood. I worship you, my God, crucified for me. I worship you, O Holy Cross, for love of the One who is my Lord. Amen.”

Bill repeats the prayer several times to model the 33 recitations, but listeners can pray it silently or aloud as they wish.

## How to Pray It

1. Find a quiet place and make the Sign of the Cross.
2. Begin with a brief intention, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you and to help you turn away from sin.
3. Recite the prayer slowly, focusing on the mystery of the Cross.
4. Continue until you have prayed it 33 times. You may use a tally or a rosary to keep count.
5. Conclude with a personal petition for the souls you are offering the prayer for.

## The Promise for Souls in Purgatory

According to the papal sources, each full set of 33 recitations releases three souls from Purgatory. Thus, by praying the prayer today, we join the Church’s intercessory work and hope to free nine souls on this Good Friday.

## Closing Blessing

Bill ends with a prayer for renewal: “May the Holy Spirit strengthen us, may our fasting and prayer draw us closer to Christ, and may we share His grace with the world. God bless you all.”

*Reciting “I adore you, O Holy Cross” 33 times on Good Friday is a powerful way to unite with Christ’s sacrifice and aid souls in Purgatory.*