MONTH FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY

 

Month To the Poor Souls in Purgatory Seventh Day

The Bible, in its very first pages, shows us that a custom of praying for the dead existed among the people of the earliest centuries. This implies the existence of purgatory, because it stands to reason that we do not pray either for the saints in heaven or for the damned in hell. For, says St. Thomas Aquinas, those prayers would be useless and in vain, if there were no purgatory, because prayers cannot be offered up for those who have already arrived at their end, but only for those who have not yet reached their final destiny. When Jacob and Joseph were about to depart from this world they earnestly besought those who stood around their deathbeds, especially their own children, to convey their mortal remains to Palestine. For those pious patriarchs well knew that their descendants there would offer sacrifices of expiation, and they hoped these offerings would gain for them the longed-for peace and rest. On the announcement of the death of Saul, all the inhabitants of Jabesh imposed upon themselves a seven days' fast. The inspired poet-king takes part, not only in the sorrow, but also in the sacrifices. He himself sings in touching, elevated strain, the doctrine of purgatory, when describing the inexpressible joy and delight of those souls who have happily passed through the fire and water of tribulation, and have arrived at the ardently longed-for joy and refreshment of the Lord. The prophet Micheas says: “I shall arise, when I sit in darkness, the Lord is my light. I will bear the wrath of the Lord because I have sinned against Him, until He judge my cause and execute judgment for me: He will bring me forth into the light, I shall behold His justice.”

Prayer

Release, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from the bonds of their sins; and by the assistance of Thy grace may they escape the sentence of condemnation, and enjoy the bliss of eternal light. Amen.

 

MONTH OF THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY - SIXTH DAY

 

Month of the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Sixth Day

The Church is the mystical body of Jesus Christ, of which He is the Head, and all the faithful are the members. It is divided into three parts: the Church Militant on earth, consisting of the faithful who are still fighting for their faith and struggling for their salvation; the Church Triumphant, consisting of the saints in heaven; and finally, the Church Suffering, consisting of the souls in purgatory. All the dead, then, who die in the Lord, belong to the great mysterious body of Christ, either as members glorified already, or as still awaiting the glory to come. But all are united among themselves and form one great communion of saints. Therefore when we consider what faith teaches us concerning the Church Suffering, or purgatory, we cannot help exclaiming: “O faith! how beautiful thou art! How touching is the communion of saints!” We children of the Church Militant stretch forth one hand towards our brethren of the Church Triumphant for help and protection; and with the other extended we supplicate by our prayers, our alms, and patient sufferings, that the time of probation for our brethren of the Church Suffering may be shortened. We feel they entreat us to alleviate their torments, and their gratitude for our good services will incline them to help us in our infirmities and weakness. How often does this thought occupy our attention? It should engage us frequently. As we are now so once were the souls in purgatory; as they are now so we hope to be—for once in purgatory it means that heaven is within our reach.

Prayer

Release, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from the bonds of their sins; and by the assistance of Thy grace may they escape the sentence of condemnation, and enjoy the bliss of eternal light. Amen.

 

MONTH OF HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY - FIFTH DAY

 

Month of Poor Souls in Purgatory

Fifth Day

The doctrine of purgatory implies two truths. First, that after a mortal sin is forgiven in the Sacrament of Penance, and the eternal punishment due to it is remitted, there still remains some debt of temporal punishment to pay, either in this life—by deeds of penance—or in the next in purgatory. 

Second, even venial sins are a stain which prevents the soul from entering into heaven. These stains, therefore, must first be wiped off, if the soul is to enter the abode of all holiness. Now, purgatory is the place where the souls predestined to eternal glory are detained for a time, and this period is fixed by God's justice for the purpose of expiation and purification, until they are quite worthy of the everlasting bliss prepared for them. Until the end of the world, until the last Day of Judgment, there will be an intermediate place between heaven and hell. Heaven is the place where only the just and holy are admitted. 

Hell is the dungeon into whose depths are plunged the souls of the impious and unrepenting. But purgatory lies between the two, and is meant to receive for a time those souls of the just who will require some further purification. And I am hurrying to one or the other place. Which shall it be? Whichever it is it will be of my own making and choice. God is now giving me time and opportunities sufficient to gain the one and avoid the other. Let me reflect whither my course is leading me. Let me do it now—tomorrow may be too late. God has given me only one life in which to accomplish my salvation. According to the eternal decree, that life will end at the appointed time.

Prayer

Release, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from the bonds of their sins; and by the assistance of Thy grace may they escape the sentence of condemnation, and enjoy the bliss of eternal light. Amen.

MONTH OF HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY - FOURTH DAY

 

Fourth Day

You have, perhaps, stood at the grave, and seen the earth cover the remains of a dear one. It may have been the remains of the most beloved one you ever knew. Oh, how you stood in need of consolation! There were moments when you felt as if your heart must break. Yet when faith came to your aid, and you remembered that the separation was only for a time, that the moment of reunion would come, and you would again see the dear one, only purified, glorified, and free from all the blemishes life on earth entails, there was an awakening, a consolation, a strengthening, which no other thought could bring. With this new feeling came the resolve to help the one gone by such gifts as your love would dictate and your faith direct. 

What if that dear one was condemned to tarry in a place of purgation? What if you by your good works and prayers could assist, but instead spent your time in fruitless lament and regrets? Then it was that you felt all your old love quicken, and the eagerness which had led you to care for the loved one in life, received a new incentive. You recollected that the time in which he could help himself had passed, and he had to rely entirely on the good services of his friends—that the hand of God was to lay heavy upon him until the full measure of expiation had been paid. 

There is comfort in the reflection that we can still be of service to those we loved in life; we can be charitable to them, and improve ourselves by the practice of that charity. The true Christian mourns his friends, but he mourns over them, not with a vain hope, but with a prayerful appeal to the throne of mercy.

Prayer

Release, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from the bonds of their sins; and by the assistance of Thy grace may they escape the sentence of condemnation, and enjoy the bliss of eternal light. Amen.

MONTH OF HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY - THIRD DAY

 

Third Day 

Poor Souls in Purgatory 

Meditation

The earth is only a vast cemetery. Our ancestors are mixed up with its clay, whether they lie beneath the surface or have had their ashes scattered to the four winds. How soon were they forgotten! Of all the generations which have gone before us how few individuals are known! Of some history tells the noble deeds, of others the dark ones. The really wise and great men of every age are the virtuous, now the friends of God. Their names come down to us in benediction. History may record the names of the wicked, but their memory is held in execration. What matters it to all those who are dead whether men speak of them or not? The one thing of importance is how God has regarded their lives. We too will soon be forgotten. The birds that will sing near our graves will be listened to and admired by the visitor to the cemetery, but we will not receive even a passing thought. Even those for whom our hearts throbbed with anxiety, those for whose happiness we strove with so much labor, will scarcely think of us. We will have been gathered to the dead, our term of activity will have passed, our day will have ended, and with it all interest in us will also end. 

We will be one of the millions laid away in the cemetery. Has this thought no meaning for us? It ought to suggest the importance of giving more attention to that which God had in view in creating us. Not ambitious of what men may think of us, but ambitious of securing that which we alone can obtain for ourselves, happiness in the life to come. Then will our lonely and forgotten condition matter very little.

Prayer

Release, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from the bonds of their sins; and by the assistance of Thy grace may they escape the sentence of condemnation, and enjoy the bliss of eternal light. Amen.

 

MONTH OF HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY - SECOND DAY

 

Poor Souls in Purgatory

          Second Day

We are told that few of those who save their souls, except children who have not lost their baptismal innocence, go to heaven without passing through purgatory. How many are surprised by death in venial sin! how many who receive forgiveness for the guilt of mortal sin still owe some temporal debt for it! How few leave this life without some stain on their souls! Yet every stain must be wiped away, every farthing of the debt paid, before the soul can leave the prison of purgatory. We have no time to lose; death may be at our doors. Why not now use the means of avoiding purgatory? Why do we count on a suffering in the future which in the present we would be in no way ready to accept, but would employ every effort to escape? How soon must we leave this world never to return! How soon will day and night have no meaning for us! Our bodies, mouldered into dust, will come to life again only at the sound of the last trumpet, and then only for judgment. Friends who love us, possessions on which we have set our hearts, will be taken from us. We will leave as we came, alone. Why, then, attach ourselves to those things in such a way as to bring upon us the displeasure of God, and the sufferings which His displeasure entails? Better far to live here with the thought of the bitterness which goes with wrongdoing and a sense of security for the future, than thoughtlessly to incur the punishment which is to be found in purgatory.

Prayer

Release, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from the bonds of their sins; and by the assistance of Thy grace may they escape the sentence of condemnation, and enjoy the bliss of eternal light. Amen.

MEDITATIONS AND PRAYERS FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY - FIRST DAY

 

The Souls in Purgatory

A truly Christian soul will, during this month, think with love of the faithful departed. There is nothing more pleasing to God, or more profitable to ourselves, than the practice of praying for the souls in purgatory, that He may relieve their sufferings and speedily admit them to His glory. We see our friends dropping from the ranks of the living, and entering that state which is so mysterious. The Church tells us that we can help them on their way to heaven by our prayers, if they have been detained in purgatory to atone to God's justice for their transgressions.

St. Alphonsus says, “It is a duty, for Christian charity commands us to relieve our neighbors who stand in need of our assistance; but who among all our neighbors have so great need of our help as these holy prisoners, deprived for a time of the sight of God?” Many indulgences, both plenary and partial, are applicable to them; let us gain them, so that the mercy of God may be moved in their favor. Let us also remember the poor souls who have no one to pray for them. And in return these blessed souls will not neglect to obtain for us many graces from God, particularly the grace of eternal life.

Meditations and Prayers for Every Day

First Day

Often meditate on the sufferings of the souls in purgatory. The thought will inspire you with the proper and holy fear of God's justice, which requires expiation in purgatory for sins unatoned for in this life. It will also move you to have compassion on the poor souls and to relieve them by your good works. The souls in purgatory endure dreadful punishments; it is the opinion of theologians that they suffer the pains of fire. They also suffer the pain of loss, which is more severe than that of sense. You should ask yourselves: Shall we suffer these dreadful pains in purgatory, or shall we escape them? Let us take warning from the unhappy souls who are to be miserable for eternity, and cultivate a salutary fear of God's justice and so avoid sin. Let the happiness of the saints encourage us to lead virtuous lives, and confide in the mercy and goodness of God. Standing between the eternity of happiness and the eternity of misery, we must make our choice. Through God's grace and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin and the members of the heavenly court, let us resolve, in future, to avoid not only mortal but also venial sin. Let us resolve also to atone for our past sins, and pay the debt which we owe to God's justice, so that when our souls are separated from our bodies we may go at once to enjoy God in heaven.

Prayer

Release, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from the bonds of their sins; and by the assistance of Thy grace may they escape the sentence of condemnation, and enjoy the bliss of eternal light. Amen.

 

A PRAYER FOR THE SOULS SUFFERING IN PURGATORY

A PRAYER FOR THE SOULS SUFFERING IN PURGATORY

It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins. — 2 Mach. xii. 46.

O God of all consolation, sole Author of the salvation of souls, have mercy on those who suffer in purgatory. Look with compassion on the greatness of their torments: they are more keenly devoured by their ardent desire of being united to thee than by the purging flames wherein they are plunged. With them I adore thy avenging justice, and confess the equity of thy judgments. But since thou art pleased favorably to hear the prayers which the members of thy holy Church offer to thee in behalf of their brethren, graciously hear the supplications which I now address to thee for those suffering souls. Remember. O Lord, thou art their father, and they are thy children. Forget the faults which, through the frailty of human nature, they have committed against thee during the course of their mortal pilgrimage. Adorable Jesus, Victim of propitiation both for the living and the dead, vouchsafe, in thy quality of Redeemer, to apply the merits of thy passion and death to the relief of those souls whom thou punishest as their sovereign Judge. Remember thy faithful followers and thy spouses. Let some drops of that precious blood which thou hast shed for their salvation flow on those devouring flames; and let the infinite price of that sacred blood afford a full satisfaction for their offences. Deliver them, O most merciful God, from that place of darkness and torture, and call them to a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Grant them the possession of the sovereign good after which they so ardently sigh, and for which thou hast created them. Receive them into thy paternal bosom, where they will praise and love thee to all eternity. Amen.

NOVENA FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY - NINTH DAY

 

Novena for the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Ninth Day

Great are all the sufferings of the holy souls: the fire, the grief, the darkness, the uncertainty of the time of their deliverance from prison; but the greatest of all these Sorrows are these: these holy souls are separated from their divine Spouse, and deprived of His beatific vision.

Prayer

O my God! How was it possible that I for so many years have borne tranquilly the separation from Thee and Thy holy grace! O infinite Goodness, how long-suffering hast Thou shown Thyself to me! Henceforth, I shall love Thee above all things. I am deeply sorry for having offended Thee; I promise rather to die than to again offend Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance, and do not permit that I should ever again fall into sin. Have compassion for the holy souls in Purgatory. I pray Thee, moderate their sufferings; shorten the time of their misery; call them soon unto Thee in Heaven, that they may behold Thee face to face, and forever love Thee. Mary, Mother of Mercy, come to their aid with thy powerful intercession, and pray for us also who are still in danger of eternal damnation.

Our Father

Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of death. Amen.

PRAYER TO OUR SUFFERING SAVIOUR FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

V. O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these blessed souls.

R. Have mercy on them, O Lord; have mercy on them.

V. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them.

R. Have mercy on them, O Lord; have mercy on them.

V. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them.

R. Have mercy on them, O Lord; have mercy on them.

V. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy Cross to Calvary, have mercy on them.

R. Have mercy on them, O Lord; have mercy on them.

V. O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing  forth Thy blessed soul, have mercy on them. 

R. Have mercy on them, O Lord; have mercy on them.    

[Here recommend yourself to the souls in Purgatory, and mention the favor you wish to obtain by this Novena.]

Blessed souls, we have prayed for you; we entreat you, who are so dear to God and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for us miserable sinners, who are in danger of being damned and of losing God forever. Amen.

 

VIGIL OF ALL SAINTS - OCTOBER 31

 

  

VIGIL OF ALL SAINTS

Simple – Violet Vestments
Missa ‘Júdicant Sancti gentes’

INTROIT

Wisdom 3:8

The Saints shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.

Psalm 32:1

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just: praise becometh the upright. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Saints shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.

INTROITUS

Júdicant Sancti gentes et dominántur pópulis: et regnábit Dóminus, Deus illórum, in perpétuum.

Psalm 32:1

Exsultáte, justi, in Dómino: rectos decet collaudátio.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculórum. Amen

Júdicant Sancti gentes et dominántur pópulis: et regnábit Dóminus, Deus illórum, in perpétuum.

COLLECT

O Lord our God, Multiply Thy graces upon us: and grant that we may be gladdened at the holy confession of those whose glorious festival we are anticipating. Through our Lord.

SECOND COLLECT IN HONOR OF THE HOLY GHOST

O God, who by light of thy Holy Spirit didst instruct the hearts of thy faithful, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise; and to ever rejoice in His consolation. Through our Lord… in the unity of the same Holy Spirit.

THIRD COLLECT AGAINST PERSECUTORS OF THE CHURCH  

We beseech Thee, O Lord, mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy Church: that all adversity and error being destroyed, she may serve Thee in security and freedom. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ: Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever.

EPISTLE – Apoc. 5: 6-12

Lesson from the book of the Apocalypse of blessed John the Apostle.

In those days, Behold, I, John, saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the ancients, a Lamb standing as it were slain, having seven horns and seven eyes: which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.  And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne.  And when he had opened the book, the four living creatures, and the four and twenty ancients fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new canticle, saying: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; because thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God, in thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation. And hast made us to our God a kingdom and priests, and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the living creatures, and the ancients; and the number of them was thousands of thousands, Saying with a loud voice: The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and benediction, for ever and ever. Amen.

GRADUAL

Psalm 149: 5, 1

The saints shall rejoice in glory; they shall be joyful in their beds.

Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle; let his praise be in the assembly of the saints.

GOSPEL

Luke 6: 17-23

The continuation of the holy Gospel according to St. Luke

At that time, Jesus coming down from the mountain stood in a plain place, and the company of his disciples, and a very great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast both of Tyre and Sidon, Who were come to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases. And they that were troubled with unclean spirits, were cured. And all the multitude sought to touch him, for virtue went out from him, and healed all. And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for you shall laugh. Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Be glad in that day and rejoice; for behold, your reward is great in heaven.

OFFERTORY

Psalm 149: 5, 6

The saints shall rejoice in glory; they shall be joyful in their beds: the high praises of God shall be in their mouth.

SECRET     

We load Thine altar, O Lord, with the gifts we offer; do thou grant, that, through the prayers of all Thy saints, whose  festival we are anticipating, they may avail to our salvation.  Through our Lord.

SECOND SECRET IN HONOR OF THE HOLY GHOST

O Lord, we beseech Thee, the gifts we offer, and cleanse our hearts by the light of the Holy Ghost. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ: Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, one God…

THIRD SECRET AGAINST PERSECUTORS OF THE CHURCH  

Protect us, O Lord, who assist at Thy mysteries; that, fixed upon things divine we may serve Thee in both body and mind. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ: Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God…

COMMUNION     

Wisdom 3: 1-2, 3

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of malice shall not touch them:  in the sight of the unwise they seemed as it were to die, but they are in peace.

POSTCOMMUNION    

O Lord, who hast granted unto us, looking forward to this coming festival, with gladness to accomplish thy holy mysteries: we humbly pray thee; that, like as we have performed the same to the remembrance of all thy Saints, so we may feel the succour of their intercession.  Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.

SECOND POSTCOMMUNION IN HONOR OF THE HOLY GHOST

May the infusion of the Holy Spirit, cleanse our hearts, O Lord, and render them fruitful by the inward sprinkling of His mysterious dew. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ: Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, one God forever and ever. Amen.

THIRD POSTCOMMUNION AGAINST PERSECUTORS OF THE CHURCH

We beseech Thee, O Lord our God, that Thou wouldst not suffer to be exposed to human dangers those to whom Thou givest to rejoice in this divine banquet. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ: Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God Forever and ever.