A listing of prayers and devotions to St. Alphonsus Liguori for his powerful prayers and intercession. As Catholics, we believe in the intercession of the saints, who readily pray and assist us from Heaven.
The “Novena for the Poor Souls in Purgatory” is a nine-day prayer devotion to assist those who have passed on in their journey toward heaven. By dedicating nine days to prayer, we can ease the purification of these souls and help them attain the eternal joy of God’s presence. This act of spiritual charity not only benefits the departed but also deepens our own faith and reminds us of the communion of saints. Participating in this novena allows us to express love beyond earthly boundaries and to play a role in the divine mercy that leads souls to their heavenly home.
First Day – Meditation [Prayer Video for Day 1] Manifold are the sufferings which these Blessed Souls must endure, but the greatest of all is the reflection that their sins in life are the cause of their present torments.
First Day – Prayer O Jesus, my Savior, I have so often deserved to be cast into Hell; how great would be my suffering if I were now cast away and obliged to think that I, myself, had caused my damnation! I thank Thee for the patience which Thou hast endured me. My God, I love Thee above all things and I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee because Thou art infinite goodness. I would rather die than offend Thee again. Grant me the grace of perseverance; have pity on me, and at the same time on those Blessed Souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Novena for the Poor Souls in Purgatory
Day 2
Second Day – Meditation [Pray Video for Day 2] The second pain which causes these Holy Souls much suffering is the time lost in life when they might have gained merits for Heaven; and the thought that they were unable to repair this loss, because the time of life and merit is passed.
Second Day – Prayer Woe to me, unhappy being, so many years have I already spent on earth and have earned naught but Hell! I give Thee thanks, O Lord, for granting me time even now to atone for my sins. My good God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. Send me Thy assistance that I may apply the time yet remaining to me for Thy love and service; have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the Holy Souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Novena for the Poor Souls in Purgatory
Day 3
Third Day – Meditation[Prayer Video for Day 3] Another great pain of the Holy Souls is caused by the hideous vision of their guilt, for which they now suffer. In this life the hideousness of sin is not seen as in the life to come; and this is one of the greatest sufferings in Purgatory.
Third Day – Prayer O my God! because Thou art infinite goodness, I love Thee above all things, and repent with my whole heart of my offenses against Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the Holy Souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Novena for the Poor Souls in Purgatory
Day 4
Fourth Day – Meditation[Pray video for Day 4] The pain that afflicts these Holy Souls most, the spouses of Jesus, is the thought of having, during life, by their sins, displeased God, Whom they so ardently love. Some penitents have felt so much pain and sorrow in thinking of their offenses, that they died of grief. The Souls in Purgatory understand far better than we do the claim that God has to our love; they love Him with all their strength. Hence, at the thought of having offended Him during life, they experience pain that surpasses all other pain. Fourth Day – Prayer O my God! because Thou art infinite goodness, I am sorry with my whole heart for having offended Thee. I would rather die than ever offend Thee again. Give me holy perseverance; have pity on me, and have pity on those Holy Souls that burn in the cleansing fire and who love Thee with all their hearts. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Novena for the Poor Souls in Purgatory
Day 5
Fifth Day – Meditation[Pray video for Day 5] Another great suffering of these Holy Souls is their ignorance of the hour of their deliverance from Purgatory. Though they are certain of being released one day, the uncertainty of the hour of when their Purgatorial term will end gives them great pain.
Fifth Day – Prayer Woe to me, miserable being, if Thou, O Lord, shall cast me into eternal Hell; for from that dungeon of eternal pain there is no deliverance. I love Thee above all things, O infinite God, and I am sincerely sorry for having ever offended Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time on the Holy Souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Novena for the Poor Souls in Purgatory
Day 6
Sixth Day – Meditation[Prayer video for Day 6] The Holy Souls are, indeed, comforted by the recollection of the Passion of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Sacrament of the Altar, since they know they are saved by the Passion of Jesus Christ, and have received, and still receive, so much consolation from Holy Masses and Holy Communions. Nevertheless, they are greatly pained by the recollection of their ingratitude for these two great gifts of the love of Jesus Christ.
Sixth Day – Prayer O my Divine Redeemer, Thou didst die for me on the Cross and hast so often united Thyself with me in Holy Communion, and I have repaid Thee only with ingratitude. Now, however, I love Thee above all things, O supreme God; and I am more grieved at my offenses against Thee than at any other evil. I would rather die than offend Thee again. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the Holy Souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Novena for the Poor Souls in Purgatory
Day 7
Seventh Day – Meditation[Prayer video for Day 7] A further great sorrow of these Holy Souls consists in their ardent desire for the Beatific Vision. Slowly and painfully the moments of their Purgatorial imprisonment pass by; for they love God deeply, and desire to be delivered from their sad state in order to praise Him forever.
Seventh Day – Prayer O God, Father of Mercy, satisfy this, their ardent desire! Send them Thy holy Angel to announce to them that Thou, their Father, art now reconciled with them through the suffering and death of Jesus, and that the moment of their deliverance has arrived. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Novena for the Poor Souls in Purgatory
Day 8
Eighth Day – Meditation[Prayer video for Day 8] Another bitter sorrow of these Souls is caused by their reflection that God had bestowed upon them so many graces not granted to others, and that they compelled Him, by their sins, to condemn them to these sufferings. they had deserved Hell, but were pardoned and saved only by the mercy of God. Eighth Day – Prayer O my God! I also am one of these ungrateful beings, having received so many graces, and yet despised Thy love; and deserve to be cast by Thee into Hell. But Thy infinite goodness has spared me until now. Therefore, I now love Thee above all things, and I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the Holy Souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Novena for the Poor Souls in Purgatory
Day 9
Ninth Day – Meditation[Prayer video for Day 9] Great are all the sufferings of the Holy Souls in Purgatory: the fire, the grief, the darkness; the uncertainty of the time of their deliverance from prison. but the greatest of all these sorrows is this: that these Holy Souls are separated from their Divine Spouse, and deprived of His Beatific Vision.
Ninth Day – Prayer O my God! how was it possible that I, for so many years, have borne tranquilly the separation from Thee and Thy holy grace! Henceforth, I shall love Thee above all things. I am deeply sorry for having offended Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance, and do not permit that I should ever again fall into sin. Have compassion on the Holy Souls suffering in Purgatory. I pray Thee, moderate these sufferings; shorten the time of their misery; call them soon unto Thee in Heaven, that they may behold Thee face to face, and forever love Thee. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession. And pray for us also who are still in danger of eternal damnation.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Closing Prayers
Pray one Our Father and one Hail Mary; then continue below.
On Thy Spouses have compassion, on these suffering children Thine; Make these Holy Souls partakers of Thy happiness Divine.
Prayer to our Suffering Savior for the Souls in Purgatory 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.
[As you pray for the Holy Souls in purgatory, you can also request that they pray for you. Mention the favor you hope to obtain from God during this novena through their intercession.]
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. Amen
Out of the Depths Prayer (De Profundis) (Carries a partial indulgence) Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication: If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with You is forgiveness, that You may be revered. I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in His word. My soul waits for the Lord, more than sentinels wait for the dawn. More than sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the Lord; For with the Lord is kindness and with Him is plenteous redemption; And He will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.
A “Prayer for Healing and Strength in Illness” is a powerful prayer seeking the intercession of St. Alphonsus Liguori, the patron saint of the sick and suffering. This beautiful prayer asks for divine healing while also requesting the grace to bear illness patiently if healing is not God’s will. It is perfect for anyone facing illness, chronic pain, or health challenges.
St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) was a Catholic bishop, moral theologian, and Doctor of the Church who devoted his life to caring for the poor and sick with heroic charity. Having suffered from various ailments throughout his own life, he became known for his compassionate understanding of human suffering and is invoked as a patron of those who are ill.
Prayer for Healing and Strength in Illness (St. Alphonsus Liguori)
[Prayer Video will be available on Monday, July 14, 2025]
O Glorious St. Alphonsus, loving Father of the poor and sick, all your life you devoted yourself, with a heroic charity, to lighten their spiritual and bodily miseries.
Full of confidence in your tender pity for the sick, since you yourself patiently borne the cross of illness, I come to you for help in my present need…
(Mention your petitions now)
Loving Father of the Suffering, St. Alphonsus, look with compassion upon me in my suffering. Ask God to give me good health. If it is not God’s will, then give me the strength to bear my cross patiently and to offer my sufferings with my crucified Savior and his Mother of Sorrows; for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, in reparation for my sins and those of others, for the needs of this troubled world, and for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Amen.
St. Alphonsus Liguori, patron of the sick, pray for us.
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, 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 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.
The Stations of the Cross by St. Alphonsus Liguori takes you on a spiritual journey through Christ’s Passion, from his condemnation to his burial. At each of the fourteen stations, you will find a meditation on that moment, prayers, and verses from the ancient “Stabat Mater” hymn.
This version remains one of the most widely used formats for the Stations of the Cross, particularly during Lent and especially on Good Friday. St. Alphonsus wrote it in 1761, focusing on making the meditation accessible while maintaining theological depth.
O MY GOD, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.
Opening Prayer
O LORD JESUS CHRIST, Thou hast made this journey to die for us with love unutterable; and we have so many times unworthily abandoned Thee; but now we love Thee with our whole hearts, and because we love Thee, we repent sincerely for having ever offended Thee. Pardon us, our God, and permit us to accompany Thee on this journey. Thou goest to die for love of us; we wish also, our beloved Redeemer, to die for love of Thee. Lord Jesus, we will live and die always united to Thee. Amen.
The First Station
Pilate Condemns Jesus to Death
V.) We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. R.) Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Meditation:
Let us consider how Jesus Christ, after being scourged and crowned with thorns, was unjustly condemned by Pilate to die on the cross.
Prayers:
O ADORABLE JESUS, it was not Pilate but our sins that condemned You to die. We beseech You, by the merits of this sorrowful journey, to assist our souls on their journey to eternity. We love You, beloved Jesus. We love You more than we love ourselves. With all our hearts we repent of ever having offended You. Grant that we may love You always; and then do with us as You will.
At the cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last.
The Second Station
Jesus Accepts His Cross
V.) We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. R.) Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Meditation:
Let us consider Jesus as He walked this road with the cross on His shoulders, thinking of us, and offering to His Father in our behalf, the death He was about to suffer.
Prayers:
OUR MOST BELOVED JESUS, we embrace all the sufferings You have destined for us until death. We beg You, by all You suffered in carrying Your cross, to help us to carry ours with Your perfect peace and resignation. We love You, Jesus. We repent of ever having offended You. Never let us separate ourselves from You again. Grant that we may love You always; and then do with us as You will.
Through her heart, His sorrow sharing All His bitter anguish bearing, Now at length the sword has passed.
The Third Station
Jesus Falls The First Time
V.) We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. R.) Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Meditation:
Let us consider the first fall of Jesus. Loss of blood from the scourging and being crowned with thorns had so weakened Him that He could hardly walk; and yet He had to carry that great load upon His shoulders. As the soldiers struck Him cruelly, He fell several times under the heavy cross.
Prayers:
OUR MOST BELOVED JESUS, it was not the weight of the cross but the weight of our sins which made You suffer so much. By the merits of this first fall, save us from falling into mortal sin. We love You, Jesus, with all our hearts. We are sorry that we have offended You. May we never offend You again. Grant that we may love You always; and then do with us as You will.
Oh, how sad and sore distressed, Was that Mother highly blessed, Of the sole-begotten One!
The Fourth Station
Jesus Meets His Mother
V.) We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. R.) Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Meditation:
Let us consider how the Son met His Mother on His way to Calvary. Jesus and Mary gazed at each other; their looks were like arrows piercing their loving hearts.
Prayers:
OUR MOST LOVING JESUS, by the pain You suffered in this meeting, grant us the grace of being truly devoted to Your most holy Mother.
And you, Mary, our Queen, who was overwhelmed with sorrow, obtain for us by your prayers a tender and a lasting remembrance of the Passion of your Divine Son.
We love You, Jesus, above all things. We repent of ever having offended You. Never allow us to offend You again. Grant that we may love You always; and then do with us as You will.
Christ above in torment hangs, She beneath beholds the pangs, Of her dying, glorious Son.
The Fifth Station
Simon of Cyrene Helps Jesus Carry His Cross
V.) We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. R.) Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Meditation:
Let us consider how weak and weary Jesus was. At each step, He was at the point of expiring. Fearing that He would die on the way, when they wished Him to die the infamous death of the cross, they forced Simon of Cyrene to help carry the cross after Our Lord.
Prayers:
OUR BELOVED JESUS, we will not refuse the cross as Simon did; we accept it and embrace it. We accept in particular the death that is destined for us, with all the pains that may accompany it. We unite it to Your death, and we offer it to You. You have died for love of us; we will die for love of You, and to please You. Help us by Your grace. We love You, Jesus. We repent of ever having offended You. Never let us offend You again. Grant that we may love You always; and then do with us as You will.
Is there one who would not weep, Whelmed in miseries so deep, Christ’s dear Mother to behold?
The Sixth Station
Veronica Wipes The Face of Jesus
V.) We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. R.) Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Meditation:
Let us consider the compassion of the holy woman, Veronica. Seeing Jesus in such distress, His face bathed in sweat and blood, she presented Him with her veil. Jesus wiped His face, and left upon the cloth the image of His sacred countenance.
Prayers:
OUR BELOVED JESUS, Your face was beautiful before You began this journey; but, now, it no longer appears beautiful, and is disfigured with wounds and blood. Alas, our souls also were once beautiful when they received Your grace in Baptism; but we have since disfigured them with our sins. You alone, our Redeemer, can restore them to their former beauty. Do this by the merits of Your Passion; and then do with us as You will.
Can the human heart refrain, From partaking in her pain, In that Mother’s pain untold?
The Seventh Station
Jesus Falls The Second Time
V.) We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. R.) Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Meditation:
Let us consider how the second fall of Jesus, under His cross, renews the pain in all the wounds of the head and members of our afflicted Lord.
Prayers:
O MOST GENTLE JESUS, how many times have You forgiven us? And how many times we have fallen again, and begun again, to offend You? By the merits of this second fall, give us the grace to persevere in Your love until death. Grant, that in all our temptations, we may always have recourse to You. We love You, Jesus, with all our hearts. We are sorry that we have offended You. Never let us offend You again. Grant that we may love You always; and then do with us as You will.
Bruised, derided, cursed, defiled, She beheld her tender child, All with bloody scourges rent.
The Eighth Station
Jesus Meets The Women of Jerusalem
V.) We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. R.) Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Meditation:
Let us consider how the women wept with compassion seeing Jesus, so distressed and dripping with blood, as He walked along. Jesus said to them, “Weep not so much for Me, but rather for Your children.”
Prayers:
OUR JESUS, laden with sorrows, we weep for the sins which we have committed against You because of the punishment we deserve for them; and, still more, because of the displeasure they have caused You, who have loved us with an infinite love. It is Your love, more than the fear of Hell, which makes us weep for our sins. Our Jesus, we love You more than ourselves. We are sorry that we have offended You. Never allow us to offend You again. Grant that we may love You always; and then do with us as You will.
For the sins of His own nation, Saw Him hang in desolation, Till His spirit forth He sent.
The Nineth Station
Jesus Falls the Third Time
V.) We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. R.) Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Meditation:
Let us consider how Jesus Christ fell for the third time. He was extremely weak and the cruelty of His executioners was excessive; they tried to hasten His steps, though He hardly had strength to move.
Prayers:
OUR OUTRAGED JESUS, by the weakness You suffered in going to Calvary, give us enough strength to overcome all human respect and all our evil passions, which have led us to despise Your friendship. We love You, Jesus, with all our hearts. We are sorry for ever having offended You. Never permit us to offend You again. Grant that we may love You always; and then do with us as You will.
O sweet Mother! fount of love, Touch my spirit from above, Make my heart with yours accord.
The Tenth Station
Jesus Is Stripped Of His Garments
V.) We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. R.) Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Meditation:
Let us consider how Jesus was violently stripped of His clothes by His executioners. The inner garments adhered to his lacerated flesh and the soldiers tore them off so roughly that the skin came with them.
Prayers:
OUR INNOCENT JESUS, by the torment You suffered in being stripped of Your garments, help us to strip ourselves of all attachments to earthly things so that we may place all our love in You, who are so worthy of our love. We love You, O Jesus, with all our hearts. We are sorry for ever having offended You. Never let us offend You again. Grant that we may love You always; and then do with us as You will.
Make me feel as thou hast felt; Make my soul to glow and melt, With the love of Christ, my Lord.
The Eleventh Station
Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross
V.) We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. R.) Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Meditation:
Let us consider Jesus, thrown down upon the cross, He stretched out His arms and offered to His eternal Father the sacrifice of His life for our salvation. They nailed His hands and feet, and then, raising the cross, left Him to die in anguish.
Prayers:
OUR DESPISED JESUS, nail our hearts to the cross that they may always remain there to love You and never leave You again. We love You more than ourselves. We are sorry for ever having offended You. Never permit us to offend You again. Grant that we may love You always; and then do with us as You will.
Holy Mother, pierce me through! In my heart each wound renew, Of my Savior crucified.
The Twelfth Station
Jesus Dies On The Cross
V.) We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. R.) Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Meditation:
Let us consider how Jesus, after three hours of agony on the cross, is finally overwhelmed with suffering and, abandoning Himself to the weight of His body, bows His head and dies.
Prayers:
OUR DYING JESUS, we devoutly kiss the cross on which You would die for love of us. We deserve, because of our sins, to die a terrible death; but Your death is our hope. By the merits of Your death, give us the grace to die embracing Your feet and burning with love of You. We yield our souls into Your hands. We love You with our whole hearts. We are sorry that we have offended You. Never let us offend You again. Grant that we may love You always; and then do with us as You will.
Let me share with you His pain, Who for all our sins was slain, Who for me in torments died.
The Thirteenth Station
Jesus Is Taken Down From The Cross
V.) We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. R.) Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Meditation:
Let us consider how, after Our Lord had died, He was taken down from the cross by two of His disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, and placed in the arms of His afflicted Mother. She received Him with unutterable tenderness and pressed Him close to her bosom.
Prayers:
O MOTHER OF SORROWS, for the love of your Son, accept us as your servants and pray to Him for us.
And You, Jesus, our Redeemer, since you have died for us, allow us to love You, for we desire only You and nothing more. We love You, Jesus, and we are sorry that we have offended You. Never let us offend You again. Grant that we may love You always; and then do with us as You will.
Let me mingle tears with thee, Mourning Him Who mourned for me, All the days that I may live.
The Fourteenth Station
Jesus Is Laid In The Tomb
V.) We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. R.) Because, by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.
Meditation:
Let us consider how the disciples carried the body of Jesus to its burial, while His holy Mother went with them and arranged it in the sepulcher with her own hands. They, then, closed the tomb and all departed.
Prayers:
O, OUR BURIED JESUS, we kiss the stone that closes You in; but You gloriously did rise on the third day. We beg You, by Your resurrection, that we may be raised gloriously on the last day, to be united with You in heaven, to praise You and love You forever. We love You, Jesus, and we repent of ever having offended You. Grant that we may love You always; and then do with us as You will.
The “Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory” offers a profound opportunity to assist those who have passed on in their journey toward heaven. By dedicating nine days to prayer, we can ease the purification of these souls and help them attain the eternal joy of God’s presence. This act of spiritual charity not only benefits the departed but also deepens our own faith and reminds us of the communion of saints. Participating in this novena allows us to express love beyond earthly boundaries and to play a role in the divine mercy that leads souls to their heavenly home.
First Day – Meditation [Prayer Video for Day 1] Manifold are the sufferings which these Blessed Souls must endure, but the greatest of all is the reflection that their sins in life are the cause of their present torments.
First Day – Prayer O Jesus, my Savior, I have so often deserved to be cast into Hell; how great would be my suffering if I were now cast away and obliged to think that I, myself, had caused my damnation! I thank Thee for the patience which Thou hast endured me. My God, I love Thee above all things and I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee because Thou art infinite goodness. I would rather die than offend Thee again. Grant me the grace of perseverance; have pity on me, and at the same time on those Blessed Souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Day 2
Second Day – Meditation [Pray Video for Day 2] The second pain which causes these Holy Souls much suffering is the time lost in life when they might have gained merits for Heaven; and the thought that they were unable to repair this loss, because the time of life and merit is passed.
Second Day – Prayer Woe to me, unhappy being, so many years have I already spent on earth and have earned naught but Hell! I give Thee thanks, O Lord, for granting me time even now to atone for my sins. My good God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. Send me Thy assistance that I may apply the time yet remaining to me for Thy love and service; have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the Holy Souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Day 3
Third Day – Meditation[Prayer Video for Day 3] Another great pain of the Holy Souls is caused by the hideous vision of their guilt, for which they now suffer. In this life the hideousness of sin is not seen as in the life to come; and this is one of the greatest sufferings in Purgatory.
Third Day – Prayer O my God! because Thou art infinite goodness, I love Thee above all things, and repent with my whole heart of my offenses against Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the Holy Souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Day 4
Fourth Day – Meditation[Pray video for Day 4] The pain that afflicts these Holy Souls most, the spouses of Jesus, is the thought of having, during life, by their sins, displeased God, Whom they so ardently love. Some penitents have felt so much pain and sorrow in thinking of their offenses, that they died of grief. The Souls in Purgatory understand far better than we do the claim that God has to our love; they love Him with all their strength. Hence, at the thought of having offended Him during life, they experience pain that surpasses all other pain. Fourth Day – Prayer O my God! because Thou art infinite goodness, I am sorry with my whole heart for having offended Thee. I would rather die than ever offend Thee again. Give me holy perseverance; have pity on me, and have pity on those Holy Souls that burn in the cleansing fire and who love Thee with all their hearts. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Day 5
Fifth Day – Meditation[Pray video for Day 5] Another great suffering of these Holy Souls is their ignorance of the hour of their deliverance from Purgatory. Though they are certain of being released one day, the uncertainty of the hour of when their Purgatorial term will end gives them great pain.
Fifth Day – Prayer Woe to me, miserable being, if Thou, O Lord, shall cast me into eternal Hell; for from that dungeon of eternal pain there is no deliverance. I love Thee above all things, O infinite God, and I am sincerely sorry for having ever offended Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time on the Holy Souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Day 6
Sixth Day – Meditation[Prayer video for Day 6] The Holy Souls are, indeed, comforted by the recollection of the Passion of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Sacrament of the Altar, since they know they are saved by the Passion of Jesus Christ, and have received, and still receive, so much consolation from Holy Masses and Holy Communions. Nevertheless, they are greatly pained by the recollection of their ingratitude for these two great gifts of the love of Jesus Christ.
Sixth Day – Prayer O my Divine Redeemer, Thou didst die for me on the Cross and hast so often united Thyself with me in Holy Communion, and I have repaid Thee only with ingratitude. Now, however, I love Thee above all things, O supreme God; and I am more grieved at my offenses against Thee than at any other evil. I would rather die than offend Thee again. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the Holy Souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Day 7
Seventh Day – Meditation[Prayer video for Day 7] A further great sorrow of these Holy Souls consists in their ardent desire for the Beatific Vision. Slowly and painfully the moments of their Purgatorial imprisonment pass by; for they love God deeply, and desire to be delivered from their sad state in order to praise Him forever.
Seventh Day – Prayer O God, Father of Mercy, satisfy this, their ardent desire! Send them Thy holy Angel to announce to them that Thou, their Father, art now reconciled with them through the suffering and death of Jesus, and that the moment of their deliverance has arrived. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Day 8
Eighth Day – Meditation [Prayer video for Day 8] Another bitter sorrow of these Souls is caused by their reflection that God had bestowed upon them so many graces not granted to others, and that they compelled Him, by their sins, to condemn them to these sufferings. They had deserved Hell, but were pardoned and saved only by the mercy of God. Eighth Day – Prayer O my God! I also am one of these ungrateful beings, having received so many graces, and yet despised Thy love; and deserve to be cast by Thee into Hell. But Thy infinite goodness has spared me until now. Therefore, I now love Thee above all things, and I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the Holy Souls suffering in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Day 9
Ninth Day – Meditation[Prayer video for Day 9] Great are all the sufferings of the Holy Souls in Purgatory: the fire, the grief, the darkness; the uncertainty of the time of their deliverance from prison. but the greatest of all these sorrows is this: that these Holy Souls are separated from their Divine Spouse, and deprived of His Beatific Vision.
Ninth Day – Prayer O my God! how was it possible that I, for so many years, have borne tranquilly the separation from Thee and Thy holy grace! Henceforth, I shall love Thee above all things. I am deeply sorry for having offended Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance, and do not permit that I should ever again fall into sin. Have compassion on the Holy Souls suffering in Purgatory. I pray Thee, moderate these sufferings; shorten the time of their misery; call them soon unto Thee in Heaven, that they may behold Thee face to face, and forever love Thee. O Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession. And pray for us also who are still in danger of eternal damnation.
[Go to Closing Prayers]
Closing Prayers
Pray one Our Father and one Hail Mary; then continue below.
On Thy Spouses have compassion, on these suffering children Thine; Make these Holy Souls partakers of Thy happiness Divine.
Prayer to our Suffering Savior for the Souls in Purgatory 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.
[As you pray for the Holy Souls in purgatory, you can also request that they pray for you. Mention the favor you hope to obtain from God during this novena through their intercession.]
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. Amen
Out of the Depths Prayer (De Profundis) (Carries a partial indulgence) Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication: If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with You is forgiveness, that You may be revered. I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in His word. My soul waits for the Lord, more than sentinels wait for the dawn. More than sentinels wait for the dawn, let Israel wait for the Lord; For with the Lord is kindness and with Him is plenteous redemption; And He will redeem Israel from all their iniquities.
This beloved “Christmas Novena”, composed by St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), Doctor of the Church and founder of the Redemptorists, offers a profound spiritual preparation for celebrating Our Lord’s birth. Through nine days of heartfelt meditations and prayers, the faithful accompany the Holy Family on their journey to Bethlehem, contemplating the mystery of God becoming man for our salvation.
St. Alphonsus wrote: “The sight of an infant naturally draws us to love it; therefore God willed to be born as an infant to attract our love.” This novena helps us approach the Divine Child not with fear, but with tender affection, seeing in the manger the greatest proof of God’s love for humanity.
Meditation Because our first parent Adam had rebelled against God, he was driven out of paradise and brought on himself and all his descendants the punishment of eternal death. But the son of God, seeing man thus lost and wishing to save him from death, offered to take upon Himself our human nature and to suffer death Himself, condemned as a criminal on a cross. ‘But, My Son,’ we may imagine the eternal Father saying to Him, ‘think of what a life of humiliations and sufferings Thou wilt have to lead on earth. Thou wilt have to be born in a cold stable and laid in a manger, the feeding trough of beasts.
While still an infant, Thou wilt have to flee into Egypt, to escape the hands of Herod. After Thy return from Egypt, Thou wilt have to live and work in a shop as a lowly servant, poor and despised. And finally, worn out with sufferings, Thou wilt have to give up Thy life on a cross, put to shame and abandoned by everyone.’ ‘Father,’ replies the Son, ‘all this matters not. I will gladly bear it all, if only I can save man.’
What should we say if a prince, out of compassion for a dead worm, were to choose to become a worm himself and give his own life blood in order to restore the worm to life? But the eternal Word has done infinitely more than this for us. Though He is the sovereign Lord of the world, He chose to become like us, who are immeasurably more beneath Him than a worm is beneath a prince, and He was willing to die for us, in order to win back for us the life of divine grace that we had lost by sin. When He saw that all the other gifts which He had bestowed on us were not sufficient to induce us to pray His love with love, He became man Himself and gave Himself all to us. ‘The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us;’ ‘He loved us and delivered Himself up for us.’
Prayer O Great Son of God, Thou hast become man in order to make Thyself loved by men. But where is the love that men give Thee in return?
Thou hast given Thy life blood to save our souls. Why then are we so unappreciative that, instead of repaying Thee with love, we spurn Thee with ingratitude? And I, Lord, I myself more than others have thus ill treated Thee. But Thy Passion is my hope. For the sake of that love which led Thee to take upon Thyself human nature and to die for me on the cross, forgive me all the offenses I have committed against Thee. I love Thee, O Word Incarnate; I love Thee, O infinite goodness. Out of love for Thee, that I could die of grief for these offenses. Give me, O Jesus, Thy love. Let me no longer live in ungrateful forgetfulness of the love Thou bearest me. I wish to love Thee always. Grant that I may always preserve in this holy desire.
O Mary, Mother of God and my Mother, pray for me that thy Son may give me the grace to love Him always, unto death. Amen.
Day 2 – December 17th God’s Love Revealed In His Being Born An Infant
Meditation When the Son of God became man for our sake, He could have come on earth as an adult man from the first moment of of His human existence, as Adam did when he was created. But since the sight of little children draws us with an especial attraction to love them, Jesus chose to make His first appearance on earth as a little infant, and indeed as the poorest and most pitiful infant that was ever born. ‘God wished to be born as a little babe,’ wrote Saint Peter Chrysologus, ‘in order that He might teach us to love and not to fear Him.’ The prophet Isaias had long before foretold that the Son of God was to be born as an infant and thus give Himself to us on account of the love He bore us: ‘A child is born to us, a son is given to us.’
My Jesus, supreme and true God! What has drawn Thee from heaven to be born in a cold stable, if not the love which Thou bearest us men? What has allured Thee from the bosom of Thy Father, to place Thee in a hard manger? What has brought Thee from Thy throne above the stars, to lay Thee down on a little straw? What has led Thee from the midst of the nine choirs of angels, to set Thee between two animals? Thou, who inflamest the seraphim with holy fire, art now shivering with cold in this stable! Thou, who settest the stars in the sky in motion, canst not now move unless others carry Thee in their arms! Thou, who givest men and beasts their food, has need now a little milk to sustain Thy life! Thou, who art the joy of heaven, dost now whimper and cry in suffering! Tell me, who has reduced Thee to such misery? ‘Love has done it,’ says Saint Bernard. The love which Thou bearest us men has brought all this on Thee.
Prayer O Dearest Infant! Tell me, what hast Thou come on earth to do? Tell me, whom art Thou seeking? Yes, I already know. Thou has come to die for me, in order to save me from hell. Thou hast come to seek me, the lost sheep, so that, instead of fleeing from Thee any more, I may rest in Thy loving arms.
Ah my Jesus, my treasure, my life, my love and my all! Whom will I love, if not Thee? Where can I find a father, a friend, a spouse more loving and lovable than Thou art? I love Thee, my dear God; I love Thee, my only good. I regret the many years when I have not loved Thee, but rather spurned and offended Thee. Forgive me, O my beloved Redeemer; for I am sorry that I have thus treated Thee, and I regret it with all my heart. Pardon me, and give me the grace never more to withdraw from Thee, but constantly to love Thee in all the years that still lie before me in this life. My love, I give myself entirely to Thee; accept me, and do not reject me as I deserve. O Mary, thou art my advocate. By thy prayers thou dost obtain whatever thou wilt from thy Son. Pray Him then to forgive me, and to grant me holy perseverance until death. Amen.
Day 3 – December 18th The Life of Poverty which Jesus Led From His Birth
Meditation God so ordained that, at the time when His Son was to be born on this earth, the Roman emperor should issue a decree ordering everyone to go to the place of his origin and there be registered in the census. Thus it came about that, in obedience to this decree, Joseph went to Bethlehem together with his virgin wife when she was soon to have her Child.
Finding no lodging either in the poor inn or in the other houses of the town, they were forced to spend the night in a cave that was used as a stable for animals, and it was here that Mary gave birth to the King of heaven. If Jesus had been born in Nazareth, He would also, it is true, have been born in poverty; but there He would at least have had a dry room, a little fire, warm clothes and a more comfortable cradle. Yet He chose to be born in this cold, damp cave, and to have a manger for a cradle, with prickly straw for a mattress, in order that He might suffer for us.
Let us enter in spirit into this cave of Bethlehem, but let us enter in a spirit of lively faith. If we go there without faith, we shall see nothing but a poor infant, and the sight of this lovely child shivering and crying on his rough bed of straw may indeed move us to pity. But if we enter with faith and consider that this Babe is the very Son, God, who for love of us has come down on earth and suffers so much to pay the penalty for our sins, how can we help thanking and loving Him in return? Prayer O Dear Infant Jesus, how could I be so ungrateful and offend Thee so often, if I realized how much Thou hast suffered for me? But these tears which Thou sheddest, this poverty which Thou embracest for love of me, make me hope for the pardon of all the offenses I have committed against Thee.
My Jesus, I am sorry for having so often turned my back on Thee. But now I love Thee above all else. ‘My God and my all!’ From now on Thou, O my God, shalt be my only treasure and my only good. With Saint Ignatius of Loyola I will say to Thee, ‘Give me the grace to love Thee; that is enough for me.’ I long for nothing else; I want nothing else. Thou alone art enough for me, my Jesus, my life, my love.
O Mary, my Mother, obtain for me the grace that I may always love Jesus and always be loved by Him. Amen.
Day 4 – December 19th The Life of Humiliation which Jesus Led from His Birth
Meditation The Sign which the angel gave the shepherds to help them find the newborn Savior, points to His lowliness: ‘This shall be a sign to you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’ No other newborn baby who was wrapped in poor swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, a feeding trough for animals, could be found anywhere else but in a stable. Thus in lowliness the King of heaven, the Son of God, chose to be born, because He came to destroy the pride that had been the cause of man’s ruin.
The prophets had already foretold that our Redeemer was to be treated as the vilest of men on earth and that He was to be overwhelmed with insults. How much contempt had not Jesus indeed to suffer from men! He was called a drunkard, a trickster, a blasphemer and a heretic. What ignominies He endured in His Passion! His own disciples abandoned Him; one of them sold Him for thirty pieces of silver, and another denied having ever known Him. He was led in bonds through the streets like a criminal; He was scourged like a slave, ridiculed as a fool, crowned with thorns as a mock king, buffeted and spit upon, and finally left to die, hanging on a cross between two thieves, as the worst criminal in the world. ‘The noblest of all,’ says Saint Bernard, ‘is treated as the vilest of all.’ But the Saint adds, ‘The viler Thou are treated, the dearer Thou art to me.’ The more I see Thee, my Jesus, despised and put to shame, the more dear and worthy of my love dost Thou become to me.
Prayer O Dearest Savior, Thou hast embraced so many outrages for love of me, yet I have not been able to bear one word of insult without at once being filled with resentful thought, I who have so often deserved to be trodden under foot by the demons in hell! I am ashamed to appear before Thee, sinful and proud as I am. Yet do not drive me from Thy presence, O Lord, even though that is what I deserve. Thou hast said that Thou wilt not spurn a contrite and humbled heart. I am sorry for the offenses I have committed against Thee. Forgive me, O Jesus. I will not offend Thee again. For love of me Thou hast borne so many injuries; for love of Thee I will bear all the injuries that are done to me. I love Thee, Jesus, who was despised for love of me. I love Thee above every other good. Give me the grace to love Thee always and to bear every insult for love of Thee. O Mary, recommend me to Thy Son; pray to Jesus for me. Amen.
Meditation Jesus Christ could have saved mankind without suffering and dying. Yet, in order to prove to us how much He loved us, He chose for Himself a life full of tribulations. Therefore the prophet Isaias called Him ‘a man of sorrows,’ His whole life was filled with suffering. His Passion began, not merely a few hours before His death, but from the the first moment of His birth. He was born in a stable where everything served to torment Him. His sense of sight was hurt by seeing nothing but the rough, black walls of the cave; His sense of smell was hurt by the stench of the dung from the beasts in the stable; His sense of touch was hurt by the prickling straw on which He lay. Shortly after His birth He was forced to flee into Egypt, where He spent several years of His childhood in poverty and misery. His boyhood and early manhood in Nazareth were passed in hard work and obscurity. And finally, in Jerusalem, He died on a cross, exhausted with pain and anguish.
Thus, then, was the life of Jesus but one unbroken series of sufferings, which were doubly painful because He had ever before His eyes all the sufferings He would have to endure till His death. Yet, since our Lord had voluntarily chosen to bear these tribulations for our sake, they did not afflict Him as much as did the sight of our sins, by which we have so ungratefully repaid Him for His love towards us. When the confessor of Saint Margaret of Cortona saw that she never seemed satisfied with all the tears she had already shed for her past sins, he said to her, ‘Margaret, stop crying and cease your lamenting, for God has surely forgiven you your offenses against Him.’ But she replied, ‘Father, how can I cease to weep, since I know that my sins kept my Lord Jesus in pain and suffering during all His life?’
Prayer O Jesus, my sweet Love! I too have kept Thee suffering through all Thy life. Tell me, then, what I must do in order to win Thy forgiveness. I am ready to do all Thou askest of me. I am sorry, O sovereign Good, for all the offenses I have committed against Thee. I love Thee more than myself, or a least I feel a great desire to love Thee. Since it is Thou who hast given me this desire, do Thou also give me the strength to love Thee exceedingly.
It is only right that I, who have offended Thee so much, should love Thee very much. Always remind me of the love Thou hast borne me, in order that my soul may ever burn with love of Thee and long to please Thee alone. O God of love, I, who was once a slave of hell, now give myself all to Thee. Graciously accept me and bind me to Thee with the bonds of Thy love. My Jesus, from this day and forever in loving Thee will I live, and in loving Thee will I die.
O Mary, my Mother and my hope, help me to love Thy dear God and mine. This is the only favor I ask of thee, and through thee I hope to receive it. Amen.
Day 6 – December 21 God’s Mercy Revealed in His Coming down to Save Us
Meditation Saint Paul says, ‘The goodness and kindness of God, our Savior, has appeared.’ When the Son of God made Man appear on earth, then was it seen how great is God’s goodness towards us. Saint Bernard says that first God’s power was manifested in the creation of the world and His wisdom in its conservation, but His merciful goodness was especially manifested later in His taking human nature on Himself, in order to save fallen mankind by His sufferings and death. For what greater proof of His kindness towards us could the Son of God show us than in taking on Himself the punishment we had deserved?
See Him as a weak, newborn infant, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Unable to move or feed Himself, He has need of Mary to give Him a little milk to sustain His life. Or see Him again in Pilate’s courtyard, tied with fast bonds to a column and there scourged from head to foot. Behold Him on the way to Calvary, falling down from weakness under weight of the cross that He must carry. Finally behold Him nailed to this tree of shame, on which He breathes His last breath amid pain and anguish. Because Jesus Christ wished that His love for us should win all the love of our hearts for Himself, He would not send an angel to redeem us, but chose to come Himself, to save us by His Passion and death. Had an angel been our redeemer, men would have had to divide their hearts in loving God as their Creator and an angel as their redeemer; but God, who desires men’s whole hearts, as He was already their Creator, wished also to be their Redeemer.
Prayer O my Dear Redeemer! Where should I be now, if Thou hadst not borne with me so patiently, but hadst called me from life while I was in the state of sin? Since Thou hast waited for me till now, forgive me quickly, O my Jesus, before death finds me still guilty of so many offenses that I have committed against Thee. I am so sorry for having vilely despised Thee, my sovereign Good, that I could die of grief. But Thou canst not abandon a soul that seeks Thee.
If hitherto I have forsaken Thee, I now seek Thee and love Thee. Yes, my God, I love Thee above all else; I love Thee more than myself. Help me, Lord, to love Thee always during the rest of my life. Nothing else do I seek of Thee. But this I beg of Thee, this I hope to receive from Thee. Mary, my hope, do thou pray for me. If thou prayest for me, I am sure of grace. Amen.
Day 7 – December 22 Flight of the Child Jesus into Egypt
Meditation Although the Son of God came from heaven to save men, scarcely was He born when men began to persecute Him to death. Herod, fearing that this Child would deprive him of his kingdom, seeks to destroy his life. But St. Joseph is warned by an angel in a dream to take the Infant and His Mother and flee into Egypt. Joseph obeys at once, and tells Mary about it. He takes the few tools of his trade, that he may use them to gain a livelihood in Egypt for himself and his poor family. Mary wraps up a small bundle of clothes for the use of her little Son, and then, going to the crib, she says with tears in her eyes to her sleeping Child, ‘O my Son and my God! Thou hast come from heaven to save men; but hardly art Thou born when they seek to take Thy life.’ Lifting Him, meanwhile, in her arms and continuing to weep, she sets out that same night with Joseph on the road to Egypt.
Let us consider how much these holy wanderers must have suffered in making so long a journey, deprived of every comfort. The divine Child was not yet able to walk, and so Mary and Joseph had to take turns in carrying Him in their arms. During their journey through the desert towards Egypt they had to spend several nights in the open air, with the bare ground for their bed. The cold makes the Infant cry, and Mary and Joseph weep in pity for Him. And who would not weep at thus seeing the Son of God poor and persecuted, a fugitive on earth, that He might not be killed by His enemies!
Prayer Dear Infant Jesus, crying so bitterly! Well hast Thou reason to weep in seeing Thyself persecuted by men whom Thou lovest so much. I, too, O God, have once persecuted Thee by my sins. But Thou knowest that now I love Thee more than myself, and that nothing pains me more than the thought that I have so often spurned Thee, my sovereign Good.
Forgive me, O Jesus, and let me bear Thee in my heart in all the rest of the journey that I have still to make through life, so that together with Thee I may enter into eternity. So often have I driven Thee from my soul by my sins. But now I love Thee above all things, and I regret above other misfortunes that I have offended Thee. I wish to leave Thee no more, my beloved Lord. But do Thou give me the strength to resist temptations. Never permit me to be separated from Thee again. Let me rather die than ever again lose Thy good grace. O Mary, my hope, make me always live in God’s love and then die in loving Him. Amen.
Day 8 – December 23 The Life of the Child Jesus in Egypt and in Nazareth
Meditation Our Blessed Redeemer spent the first part of His childhood in Egypt, leading there for several years a life of poverty and humiliation. In that land Joseph and Mary were foreigners and strangers, having there neither relatives nor friends. Only with difficulty could they earn their daily bread by the labor of their hands. Their home was poor, their bed was poor, their food was poor. Here Mary weaned Jesus; dipping a piece of bread in water, she would put it in the sacred mouth of her Son. Here she made His first little garments and clothed Him with them. Here the Child Jesus took His first steps, stumbling and falling as other children first do. Here too He spoke His first words, but stammeringly. O wonder of wonders! To what has not God lowered Himself for love of us! A God stumbling and falling as He walks! A God stammering in His speech!
Not unlike this was the poor and humble life that Jesus led in Nazareth after His return from Egypt. There, until He was thirty years old, He lived as a simple servant or workman in a carpenter shop, taking orders from Joseph and Mary. ‘And He was subject to them.’ Jesus went to fetch the water; He opened and closed the shop; He swept the house, gathered the fragments of wood for the fire, and toiled all day long, helping Joseph in his work. Yet who is this? God Himself, serving as an apprentice! The omnipotent God, who with less than a flick of His finger created the whole universe, here sweating at the task of planning a piece of work! Should not the mere thought of this move us to love Him?
Prayer O Jesus, my Savior! When I consider how, for love of me, Thou didst spend thirty years of Thy life hidden and unknown in a poor workshop, how can I desire the pleasures and honors and riches of the world? Gladly do I renounce all these things, since I wish to be Thy companion on this earth, poor as Thou wast, mortified and humble as Thou wast, so that I may hope to be able one day to enjoy Thy companionship in heaven. What are all the treasures and kingdoms of this world? Thou, O Jesus, art my only treasure, my only Good!
I keenly regret the many times in the past when I spurned Thy friendship in order to satisfy my foolish whims. I am sorry for them with all my heart. For the future I would rather lose my life a thousand times than lose Thy grace by sin. I wish never to offend Thee again, but always to love Thee. Help me to remain faithful to Thee until death. O Mary, thou art the refuge of sinners, thou art my hope. Amen.
Day 9 – December 24 The Birth of Jesus in the Stable of Bethlehem
Meditation When the edict was issued by the emperor of Rome that everyone should go to his own city to be enrolled, Joseph and Mary went to be enrolled in Bethlehem. How much the Holy Virgin must have suffered on this journey of four days, over mountainous road and in the wintertime, with its cold rain and wind! When they arrived in Bethlehem, the time of Mary’s delivery was near. Joseph, therefore, sought some lodging where she might give birth to her Child. But because they were so poor, they were driven away from the houses and even from the public inn, where other poor people had found shelter.
So in that night they went a short way out of the town and there found a cave that was used as a stable, and here Mary entered. But Joseph said to his virgin wife, ‘Mary, how can you spend the night in this cold, damp cave and here give birth to your Child?’ Mary however replied, ‘Dear Joseph, this cave is the royal palace in which the King of kings, the Son of God, wishes to be born.’
When the hour of her delivery had arrived, the holy Virgin, as she knelt in prayer, all at once saw the cave illumined with a dazzling light. She lowered her eyes to the ground and there saw before her the Son of God now born on earth, a poor little Babe, crying and shivering in the cold. Adoring Him as her God, she took Him to her breast and fondled Him. Then she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and lad Him on the straw of the manger that stood in the cave. Thus did the Son of God choose to be born among us to prove His infinite love for us.
Prayer O Adorable Infant Jesus! I should not have the boldness to cast myself at Thy feet, if I did not know that Thou Thyself invitest me to draw near Thee. It is I who by my sins have made Thee shed so many tears in the stable of Bethlehem. But since Thou hast come on earth to pardon repentant sinners, forgive me also, now that I am heartily sorry for having spurned Thee, my Savior and my God, who art so good and who hast loved me so much.
On this night, in which Thou bestowest great graces on so many souls, grant Thy heavenly consolation to this poor soul of mine also. All that I ask of Thee is the grace to love Thee always, from this day forward, with all my heart. Set me all on fire with Thy holy love. I love Thee, O my God, who hast become a Babe for love of me. Never let me cease from loving Thee ever more.
O Mary, Mother of Jesus and my Mother, thou canst obtain everything from thy Son by thy prayers. This is the only favor I ask of Thee. Do thou pray to Jesus for me. Amen.
