A litany is a form of prayer with a common response to each petition or supplication. In this Litany for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, the response after each petition is: Jesus, have mercy! O Jesus, you suffered and died that all mankind might be saved and brought to eternal happiness. Hear our pleas for further mercy on the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Response: Jesus, have mercy!
For my dear parents and grandparents,
My brothers and sisters and other near relatives,
My godparents and sponsors of confirmation,
My spiritual and temporal benefactors,
My friends and neighbors,
All for whom love or duty calls me to pray,
Those who have suffered disadvantages or harm through me,
Those who are especially beloved by you,
Those whose release is near at hand,
Those who desire most to be united with you,
Those who endure the greatest sufferings,
Those who are least remembered,
Those whose release is most remote,
Those who are most deserving because of their services to the Church,
The rich, who now are the most destitute,
The mighty, who now are powerless,
The once spiritually blind, who now see their folly,
The frivolous, who spent their time in idleness,
The poor who did not seek the treasures of heaven,
The tepid, who devoted little time to prayer,
The indolent, who neglected to perform good works,
Those of little faith, who neglected the frequent reception of the sacraments,
The habitual sinners, who owe their salvation to a miracle of grace,
Parents who failed to watch over their children,
Superiors who were not solicitous for the salvation of those entrusted to them,
Those who strove for worldly riches and pleasures,
The worldly-minded, who failed to use their wealth and talents in the service of God,
Those who witnessed the death of others, but would not think of their own,
Those who did not provide for the life hereafter,
Those whose sentence is severe because of the great things entrusted to them,
The popes, kings, and rulers,
The bishops and their counselors,
My teachers and spiritual advisers,
The priests and religious of the Catholic Church,
The defenders of the holy faith,
Those who died on the battlefield,
Those who fought for their country,
Those who were buried in the sea,
Those who died of strokes,
Those who died of heart attacks,
Those who suffered and died of cancer or AIDS,
Those who died suddenly in accidents,
Those who died without the last rites of the Church,
Those who shall die within the next 24 hours,
My own poor soul when I shall have to appear before your judgment seat.
Closing Prayers
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon them forever more with your saints in heaven because you are so gracious.
LEADER: The Lord be with you.
RESPONSE: And with your Spirit.
May the prayer of your suppliant people, we beseech you, O Lord, benefit the souls of your departed servants and handmaids. Deliver them from all their sins and make them partakers of your redemption. Amen.
+JMJ+
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Recommended Reading: Rosary for the Holy Souls in Purgatory by Susan Tassone
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