Act of Hope
My God, I hope in Thee, because Thou art infinitely good.

Act of Charity
My God, I love Thee with all my heart, and above all things,
because Thou art infinitely perfect;
and I love my neighbour as myself, for the love of Thee.

(Indulgence 7 years, 7 quarantines, each time.  Benedict XIV, Jan. 28, 1756.
Plenary once a month, if said every day.  Benedict XIII, Jan. 15, 1728)

This Novena is coming to a close.  Do we understand the benefits and consolation to be derived from devotion to the Holy Souls?  Do we need stronger motives to increase our zeal?  Then let us consider that: Nothing is more glorious to God, nothing gives more honour to His Holy Name, nothing rejoices His Heart more, nothing is more pleasing to Him than charity for the Poor Souls.

To open Heaven to the Poor Souls is to increase the number of those who praise and glorify god, the number of hearts that love Him.  "Such a work," says Bourdaloue, "is an apostolate more noble, more meritorious than the conversion of sinners, and even of heathens."

How we will please the Heart of Jesus, Who loves the Souls redeemed by His Precious Blood!  He would willingly come into this world again and offer Himself for their deliverance; but all justice must be accomplished, and the debts of the Souls must be paid.  Therefore, He has inspired His Church with the practice of praying for the dead every time the Holy Sacrifice is offered.

The Blessed Virgin is the Queen of Purgatory and will be highly gratified when we contribute to the relief of the Poor Souls.

St. Joseph, the patron of a happy death, will also present our requests to the Lord, who has been called his Son.  He will repay us generously if we come to the rescue of the suffering Souls.

What joy among the Saints in Heaven when they will see another of the elect―a Soul coming out of Purgatory!  Her Guardian Angel, the Holy Patron, will welcome and congratulate her!  It will be a great joy in Heaven.  The Saints know the benefactors of the Poor Souls, and they will, in return, protect them.

We have already said that the Saints in Purgatory will remember their benefactors.  No, they cannot forget them!  They will attentively provide for them in needs both temporal and spiritual.  They will protect us and defend us in troubles, in dangers, in temptations.  On our death-bed they will surround us.  At the tribunal of God they will be our advocates; and, if we are cast into Purgatory, they will come to visit us, to console us, until the day of our entrance into a glorious eternity.

Give alms to the poor; insure your soul with prayers and good deeds against the fire of Purgatory.  Money will be useless at the hour of death, but your good works will follow you.

I will never miss the opportunity of assisting the Poor Souls.

A pious lady was praying for the recovery of her health.  She had exhausted every means and made novena after novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to St. Joseph, etc., without success.  But she was advised to commence novenas for the relief of the Poor Souls in Purgatory.  She did so and entirely recovered.  She was accustomed to say: "All that I ask through the intercession of the Poor Souls I obtain easily.  With them I am never discouraged, and I hope against hope."

Psalmus 129.  De profundis

De profúndis  clamávi ad te, Dómine: * Dómine, exáudi vocem meam :
2  Fiant aures tuæ intendéntes: * in vocem deprecatiónis meæ.
3  Si iniquitátes observáveris, Dómine: * Dómine, quis sustinébit?
4  Quia apud te propitiátio est: * et propter legem tuam sustínui te, Dómine.
5  Sustínuit ánima mea in verbo ejus: * sperávit ánima mea in Dómino.
6  A custódia matutína usque ad noctem: * speret Israël in Dómino.
7  Quia apud Dóminum misericórdia: * et copiósa apud eum redémptio.
8  Et ipse rédimet Israël: * ex ómnibus iniquitátibus ejus.

Psalm 129.  De profundis

Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord; * Lord, hear my voice.
2  Let thine ears be attentive * to the voice of my supplication.
3  If thou, O Lord, shalt observe our iniquities , * O Lord, who shall endure it?
4  For with thee there is merciful forgiveness; * and by reason of Thy law, I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
5  My soul hath relied on His word: * my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
6  From the morning watch even until night, * let Israel hope in the Lord.
7  Because with the Lord there is mercy, * and with Him plentiful redemption.
8  And he shall redeem Israel * from all his iniquities.

V.  Réquiem ætérnam dona eis, Dómine.
R.  Et lux perpétua lúceat eis.

V.  Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R.  And let perpetual light shine upon them.

V.  A porta ínferi.
R.  Erue, Dómine, ánimas eórum.

V.  From the gate of hell.
R.  Deliver their souls, O Lord.

V.  Requiéscant in pace.
R.  Amen.

V.  May they rest in peace.
R.  Amen.

V.  Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam.
R.  Et clamor meus ad te véniat.

V.  O Lord, hear my prayer.
R.  And let my cry come unto Thee.

V.  Dóminus vobíscum.
R.  Et cum spíritu tuo.

V.  The Lord be with you.
R.  And with thy spirit.

V.  Requiéscant in pace.
R.  Amen.

V.  May they rest in peace.
R.  Amen.

Let us pray for all the faithful departed:
O God, Creator and Redeemer of all men, we beseech Thee to grant to the Souls of Thy servants the remission of their sins, so that by our prayers they may obtain the indulgence for which they long.  Who livest and reignest, world without end.  Amen.

V.  Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
R.  And let perpetual light shine upon them.

V.  May they rest in peace.
R.  Amen.