Daily Mass - Wednesday of the seventh week of Easter

Today being a ferial day (non-festive), I thought I'd say a funeral Mass for Mr. P. P. Purcell (+), who died recently and was cremated precisely a week ago. May he be blessed; may his soul and the souls of all the Faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

I've placed at the head of this post a small drawing I made in seminary of the famous Divine Mercy image that was painted under the guidance of Sister Maria Faustina, who was commanded to do so by Christ Himself. As I must have mentioned a few times, I'm reading through Sister's diary, and am precisely halfway through the massive, 700-page book. Christ said numerous times to Sister that He intends to bestow particular graces upon us through the use of the image. I have several family members who are very devoted to the Divine Mercy image and to the cult that surrounds it. Myself, not so much, thus far. But I find Sister's diary quite compelling, and I shall now begin to pick up the devotion myself. 

First steps: the chaplet every Friday at 15.00 precisely. And for every soul in sickness and approaching death that I hear of. More to come. Meanwhile, it's the seventh day of the novena to the Holy Spirit.

NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT: DAY 7

"Heal our wounds, our strength renew;

On our dryness, pour Thy dew;

Wash the stains of guilt away."

Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy Commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long. Amen.

One Our Father and one Hail Mary,

Seven times the Glory be.

On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself soul and body to Thee, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Thy purity, the unerring keenness of Thy justice, and the might of Thy love. Thou art the Strength and Light of my soul. In Thee I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace, and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Thy light and listen to Thy voice and follow Thy gracious inspirations. I cling to Thee and give myself to Thee and ask Thee by Thy compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore Thee Adorable Spirit, helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin against Thee. Give me grace O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say to Thee always and everywhere, Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth. Amen.