413. Prayers

other relations and friends who are suffering in purgatory. PATER, Ave, Requiem aeternam. Y Jesus, by that crown of sharpest thorns which pierced thy sacred temples, have mercy on that soul which is most neglected and least prayed for, and on that soul which is furthest from being released from the pains of purgatory. PATER, Ave, Requiem zternam. Y Jesus, by those sorrowful steps which Thou didst take with the Cross on thy shoulders, have mercy on that soul which is nearest to its de- parture from purgatory; and by the pains which Thou didst suffer together with thy most holy Mother Mary, when Thou didst meet her on the road to Calvary, deliver from the pains of purga- tory those souls who were devout to this beloved Mother. PATER, Ave, Requiem zternam. Y Jesus, by thy most holy body stretched on the Cross, by thy most holy hands and feet pierced with hard nails, by thy most cruel death, and by thy most holy side laid open with a lance, have pity and mercy on those poor souls; free them from the awful pains they suffer, call and admit them to thy most sweet embrace in Paradise. PATER, Ave, Requiem zeternam. HOLY souls, tormented in most cruel pains, as one truly devoted to you, I promise never to forget you, and continually to pray to the Most High for your release. I beseech you to respond to this offering which I make to you, and obtain for THE PALTHER UL DEPARTED 361 me from Gop, with whom you are so powerful on behalf of the living, that I may be freed from all dangers of soul and body; I beg both for myself and for my relations and benefactors, friends and enemies, pardon for our sins, and the grace of per- severance in good, whereby we may save our souls. Set us free from all misfortunes, miseries, sick- nesses, trials and labours. Obtain for us peace of heart; assist us in all our actions; succour us promptly in all our spiritual and temporal needs; console and defend us in our dangers. Pray for the supreme Pontiff, for the exaltation of holy Church, for peace between nations, for Christian princes, and for tranquillity among peoples; and obtain that we may one day all rejoice together in Paradise. Amen