Prayers & Novenas - November
The month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
The Church commemorates all her faithful children who have departed from this life but have not yet attained the joys of heaven.
“The holy souls in purgatory are our friends. If everyone had to adopt a holy soul to pray for, purgatory would be emptied in no time"
St.Gertrude the Great
Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
All Souls Indulgence
A plenary indulgence (applicable only to the souls in Purgatory) is granted to the faithful who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed each day from the 1st - 8th of November; on other days of the year the indulgence is partial.
A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful, who on the day dedicated to the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, 2nd November, (as well as on the Sunday preceding or following, and on All Saints' Day) piously visit a church. In visiting the church it is required that one Our Father and the Creed be recited.
To acquire a plenary indulgence it is necessary also to fulfil the following three conditions:
Sacramental Confession
Eucharistic communion
Prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father.
The three conditions may be fulfilled several days before or after the visit; it is, however, fitting that communion be received and the prayer for the intention of the Holy Father be said on the same day as the visit. A plenary indulgence can be acquired only once in the course of the day.
The Prayer of St. Gertrude
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Holy Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.
Leaflets for Mass & in the Home
We pray the Memorial Prayer for the Suffering Souls in Purgatory after all Masses in November, up to the final week.
We focus on “the Four Last Things” during the last week in November, so weekday feria Masses will be celebrated with black vestments and we pray the Bona Mors.
A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful, who piously recite the Act of Dedication of the Human Race to Jesus Christ King. A plenary indulgence is granted if it is recited publicly on the feast of our Lord Jesus Christ King.