For souls burning with longing for the Beatific Vision

From the Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

Sacred Scripture: Psalm 42:1-2

Meditation for Day 7

St. Alphonsus describes a great longing of the holy souls as an ardent, consuming thirst for God — the Beatific Vision — which is their ultimate end and which Purgatory withholds until purification is complete. The Psalmist's cry is theirs: As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God (Ps 42:1-2). This longing is itself a grace, a sign of the soul's readiness for heaven; the purification only intensifies their capacity for joy. Today we beg God to satisfy their holy desire soon, and we ask the holy souls to pray for us who still journey toward Him in faith.

Daily Novena Prayer (recited every day)

Closing Prayer

O God, the author of mercy, the lover of the salvation of mankind; we address thy clemency, in behalf of our brethren, relations, and benefactors, who are departed this life, that by the intercession of blessed Mary, ever virgin, and of all the saints, thou wouldst receive them into the enjoyment of eternal happiness; through Christ our Lord. Amen.