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Good Friday Is Novena Day 1
Posted by Tom Hoopes
Thursday, April 09, 2009 6:03 PM
Hyla's Mercy painting. (wiki)
St. Faustina (1905-1938) promoted a novena that begins on Good Friday and ends on the Vigil of Divine
Mercy Sunday.
We present the prayers here, preceded by Jesus’ words, as recorded
by the Polish nun.
(For more information about the Divine Mercy devotion,
including information about the Divine Mercy Sunday indulgence — and
instructions on saying the Divine Mercy Chaplet — go to
http://www.EWTN.com/devotionals/mercy)
Day 1: GOOD FRIDAY
“Today bring to me all mankind, especially all sinners, and
immerse them in the ocean of my mercy. In this way you will console me in the
bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges me.”
Prayer: Most merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have
compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our
trust that we place in your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of
your most compassionate heart, and never let us escape from it. We beg this of
you by your love, which unites you to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Eternal Father, turn your merciful gaze upon all mankind and
especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the most compassionate heart of
Jesus. For the sake of his sorrowful passion show us your mercy, that we may
praise the omnipotence of your mercy forever and ever. Amen.
Day 2: HOLY SATURDAY
“Today bring to me the souls of priests and religious, and
immerse them in my unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave me strength to
endure my bitter passion. Through them as through channels, my mercy flows out
upon mankind.”
Prayer: Most merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is
good, increase your grace in men and women consecrated to your service, that
they may perform worthy works of mercy and that all who see them may glorify
the Father of mercy who is in heaven.
Eternal Father, turn your merciful gaze upon the company of
chosen ones in your vineyard — upon the souls of priests and religious — and
endow them with the strength of your blessing. For the love of the heart of your
Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them your power and light, that they
may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing
praise to your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.
Day 3: EASTER SUNDAY
“Today bring to me all devout and faithful souls, and
immerse them in the ocean of my mercy. These souls brought me consolation on
the Way of the Cross. They were a drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean
of bitterness.”
Prayer: Most merciful Jesus, from the treasury of your
mercy, you impart your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us
into the abode of your most compassionate heart and never let us escape from
it. We beg this grace of you by that most wondrous love for the Heavenly Father
with which your heart burns so fiercely.
Eternal Father, turn your merciful gaze upon faithful souls,
as upon the inheritance of your Son. For the sake of his sorrowful passion,
grant them your blessing and surround them with your constant protection. Thus
may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather,
with all the hosts of angels and saints, may they glorify your boundless mercy
for endless ages. Amen.
Day 4: EASTER MONDAY
“Today bring to me those who do not believe in God and those
who do not know me. I was thinking also of them during my bitter passion, and
their future zeal comforted my heart. Immerse them in the ocean of my mercy.”
Prayer: Most compassionate Jesus, you are the Light of the
whole world. Receive into the abode of your most compassionate heart the souls
of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know you. Let
the rays of your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may
extol your wonderful mercy, and do not let them escape from the abode that is
your most compassionate heart.
Eternal Father, turn your merciful gaze upon the souls of
those who do not believe in you, and of those who as yet do not know you, but
who are enclosed in the most compassionate heart of Jesus. Draw them to the
light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love
you. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of your mercy for endless
ages. Amen.
Day 5: EASTER TUESDAY
“Today bring to me the souls of those who have separated themselves
from my Church, and immerse them in the ocean of my mercy. During my bitter
passion they tore at my body and heart, that is, my Church. As they return to
unity with the Church, my wounds heal and in this way they alleviate my
passion.”
Prayer: Most merciful Jesus, Goodness itself, you do not
refuse light to those who seek it of you. Receive into the abode of your most
compassionate heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from your
Church. Draw them by your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let
them escape from the abode of your most compassionate heart, but bring it about
that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of your mercy.
Eternal Father, turn your merciful gaze upon the souls of
those who have separated themselves from your Son’s Church, who have squandered
your blessings and misused your graces by obstinately persisting in their
errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of your own Son and
upon his bitter passion, which he underwent for their sake, since they, too,
are enclosed in his most compassionate heart. Bring it about that they also may
glorify your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Day 6: EASTER WEDNESDAY
“Today bring to me the meek and humble souls and the souls
of little children, and immerse them in my mercy. These souls most closely
resemble my heart. They strengthened me during my bitter agony. I saw them as
earthly angels, who will keep vigil at my altars. I pour out upon them whole
torrents of grace. I favor humble souls with my confidence.”
Prayer: Most merciful Jesus, you yourself have said, “Learn
from me for I am meek and humble of heart.” Receive into the abode of your most
compassionate heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children.
These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the Heavenly Father’s
favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God
himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in
your most compassionate heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of
love and mercy.
Eternal Father, turn your merciful gaze upon meek souls,
upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode that
is the most compassionate heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance
to your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches your very throne.
Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg you by the love you bear these souls
and by the delight you take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls
together may sing out the praises of your mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Day 7: EASTER THURSDAY
“Today bring to me the souls who especially venerate and
glorify my mercy, and immerse them in my mercy. These souls sorrowed most over
my passion and entered most deeply into my spirit. They are living images of my
compassionate heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the
next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly
defend each one of them at the hour of death.”
Prayer: Most merciful Jesus, whose heart is Love itself,
receive into the abode of your most compassionate heart the souls of those who
particularly extol and venerate the greatness of your mercy. These souls are
mighty with the very power of God himself. In the midst of all afflictions and
adversities they go forward, confident of your mercy, and united to you, O
Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be
judged severely, but your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.
Eternal Father, turn your merciful gaze upon the souls who
glorify and venerate your greatest attribute, that of your fathomless mercy,
and who are enclosed in the most compassionate heart of Jesus. These souls are
a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts,
overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to you, O most high! I beg you,
O God:
Show them your mercy according to the hope and trust they
have placed in you. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who
said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the
souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of his, he himself, will defend
as his glory. Amen.
Day 8: EASTER FRIDAY
“Today bring to me the souls who are in the prison of
purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of my mercy. Let the torrents of my
blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by
me. They are making retribution to my justice. It is in your power to bring
them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of my Church and offer
them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would
continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to my
justice.”
Prayer: Most merciful Jesus, you yourself have said that you
desire mercy, so I bring into the abode of your most compassionate heart the
souls in purgatory, souls who are very dear to you, and yet, who must make
retribution to your justice. May the streams of blood and water that gushed forth
from your heart put out the flames of purgatory, that there, too, the power of
your mercy may be celebrated.
Eternal Father, turn your merciful gaze upon the souls
suffering in purgatory, who are enfolded in the most compassionate heart of
Jesus. I beg you, by the sorrowful passion of Jesus your Son, and by all the
bitterness with which his most sacred soul was flooded: Manifest your mercy to
the souls who are under your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but
only through the wounds of Jesus, your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly
believe that there is no limit to your goodness and compassion. Amen.
Day 9: DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY VIGIL
“Today bring to me the souls who have become lukewarm, and
immerse them in the abyss of my mercy. These souls wound my heart most
painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives
because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: ‘Father, take this
cup away from me, if it be your will.’ For them, the last hope of salvation is
to run to my mercy.”
Prayer: Most compassionate Jesus, you are compassion itself.
I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of your most compassionate heart. In this
fire of your pure love, let these tepid souls who, like corpses, filled you
with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O most compassionate Jesus,
exercise the omnipotence of your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of
your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond
your power.
Eternal Father, turn your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls
who are nonetheless enfolded in the most compassionate heart of Jesus. Father
of mercy, I beg you by the bitter passion of your Son and by his three-hour
agony on the cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of your mercy. Amen.
Adapted from a photo feature in the
Register’s sister publication,
Faith & Family magazine
(faithandfamilymag.com). http://www.ncregister.com/images/nowBlog/hyla_mercy.jpg
| Filed under divine mercy, good friday, novena, weekend commentary
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