This novena, written by St. Alphonsus Liguori, has different prayers for each of the nine days, followed by the “Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory,” which is at the bottom.
First Day
Lord Jesus, my savior, I have frequently deserved to be consigned to the depths of Hell. The magnitude of my suffering would be immense if I were now cast aside, compelled to acknowledge that I, through my own actions, had brought about my own damnation. I express my gratitude for the forbearance with which You have borne with me. My God, I love You above all things, and I am heartily sorry for having offended You because You are infinite goodness. I would rather die than offend You again. Bestow upon me the grace of perseverance. Extend Your compassion to me, and, simultaneously, to the blessed souls undergoing purification in Purgatory. Mary, Mother of God, intercede for them with your powerful intercession.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory (see below).
Second Day
Alas, I lament, wretched soul that I am, for I have spent many years in this earthly realm and have merited nothing but damnation! I give You thanks, O Lord, for granting me the opportunity even now to make amends for my sins. My benevolent God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. Extend Your aid to me, that I may devote the time that remains to me on this earth to Your love and service; have mercy on me, and, simultaneously, on the sanctified souls undergoing purification in Purgatory. O Mary, Mother of God, extend your powerful intercession to assist them.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Third Day
My God! Because Your goodness is boundless, I love You above all created things, and I wholeheartedly repent for my transgressions against You. Bestow upon me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. And you, Mary, Mother of God, come to their assistance with thy powerful intercession.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Fourth Day
My God! Because You are infinite goodness, I am sincerely sorry with my whole heart for having offended You. I promise never to offend You again. Grant me holy perseverance; have pity on me, and have pity on those holy souls who are burning in the cleansing fire and love You with all their hearts. O Mary, Mother of God, assist them with your powerful prayers.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Fifth Day
Woe is me, a sorrowful soul, if You, O Lord, had cast me into Hell, for there is no escape from that abyss of eternal torment. I love You above all things, O infinite God, and I am sincerely sorry for offending You yet 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 your powerful intercession.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Sixth Day
My Divine Redeemer, You sacrificed Yourself on the Cross for my sake, and You have frequently united Yourself with me through Holy Communion. In return, I have shown You only ingratitude. Now, however, I love Thee above all things, O supreme God, and I am more grieved at my offenses against You than at any other evil. I would rather die than offend You again. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance. Have compassion on me, and, at the same time, on the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. Mary, Mother of God, come to their aid with your powerful intercession.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Seventh Day
O God, father of mercy, satisfy the ardent desires of the holy souls in Purgatory. Send them Your holy angel to announce to them that You, their father, are now reconciled with them through the suffering and death of Jesus and that the moment of their deliverance has arrived.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Eighth Day
My God! I have been showered with abundant grace, yet I have often despised Your love and deserved to be condemned to Hell by Your just judgment. Nevertheless, Your boundless goodness has shown me mercy thus far. I love You, therefore, above all things, and I am heartily sorry for having offended You. Please grant me the grace of unwavering commitment. Extend Your mercy to me and, at the same time, to the sanctified souls undergoing purification in Purgatory. Mary, Mother of God, come to their aid with your powerful intercession.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Ninth Day
My God! How could I have endured, for so many years, the separation from You and Your holy grace with such indifference! O Infinite Goodness, You have shown remarkable patience toward me! From now on, I shall love You above all else. I am profoundly sorry for having offended You, and I promise to choose death over offending You again. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance, and prevent me from falling into sin once more. Extend Your compassion to the holy souls in Purgatory. I beseech You to alleviate their suffering, shorten their time of anguish and call them swiftly to join You in Heaven, where they can behold You face-to-face and love You for all eternity. Mary, Mother of Mercy, intercede for them with your powerful intercession, and pray for us who are still in danger of eternal damnation.
Say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Prayer to Our Suffering Savior for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat that You suffered in the Garden of Gethsemani, have mercy on these blessed souls.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains that You suffered during Your most cruel scourging, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains that You suffered in Your most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains that You suffered in carrying Your cross to Calvary, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains that You suffered during Your most cruel crucifixion, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains that You suffered in Your 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 that You suffered in breathing forth Your blessed soul, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
(Recommend yourself to the souls in Purgatory, and mention your intentions here.)
Blessed souls, I have prayed for you; I entreat you, who are so dear to God and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for me, a miserable sinner who is in danger of being damned and of losing God forever. Amen.
