Second Day of Novena for the Dead

In speaking of souls in purgatory, Saint Teresa of Avila has been quoted as saying: "Of all the holy souls I knew in my lifetime, only three of them went directly to heaven after death." This statement implies that purgatory is where most people she knew went immediately after death and she lived among future canonized saints and very holy people. What does that mean for our loved ones who have died? 

Most of our deceased family and friends are probably in purgatory too. We need to pray for them and offer sacrifices so that they can reach full union with God in heaven. They cannot pray for themselves so they are counting on us to do that for them, but they can pray for our intentions, so ask them for their intercession as you pray for them.

This novena leads up to the feast of All Souls Day on November 2 which kicks off the entire month of November as a month especially dedicated to praying for the holy souls in purgatory. This novena is just one way to do that. 

FIRST DAY OF NOVENA FOR THE DEAD

Lord our God, receive our supplications, prayers and mortifications and sighs in suffrage for the holy souls for whom we make this novena; and we pray that by the motherly love bestowed on you by your most holy Mother, when she followed you on the way of sorrow up to Mount Calvary, grant what we ask of you in this novena for your greater honor and glory. AMEN.