Holy Souls — November Franciscan-Season Devotion (Independent Prayer)
Day 3 of 9
Day 3 — Historical Prayer for the Holy Souls — Holy Souls — November Franciscan-Season Devotion (Independent Prayer), Day 3
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Ludovico Carracci, Angel Freeing the Souls from Purgatory, early seventeenth century. Public-domain devotional art: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carracci-Purgatory.jpg
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening prayer
Make the Sign of the Cross and remember those who have died. This independent novena uses the historical Prayer for the Holy Souls, not a sponsoring Franciscan organization’s proprietary text.
Prayer for day 3
O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord. (Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions.) Blessed Souls, we have prayed for thee; we entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for us miserable sinners, who are in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Let us pray: O God, the author of mercy, the lover of the salvation of mankind; we address thy clemency, in behalf of our brethren, relations, and benefactors, who are departed this life, that by the intercession of blessed Mary, ever virgin, and of all the saints, thou wouldst receive them into the enjoyment of eternal happiness; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.
Traditional prayers
Our Father
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.
Closing prayer
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Source · Traditional Prayer to Jesus Christ for the Holy Souls attributed to Saint Alphonsus Liguori; see https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/novena-for-the-holy-souls-in-purgatory-286 . Independent adaptation for November 21–29, NOT reproduced or endorsed as the distinct Franciscan Mission Associates liturgical or devotional novena. General Franciscan calendar: https://franciscanmissionassoc.org/pray-with-us/novenas-feast-days/ .