Month of Holy Souls in Purgatory - Pain of Helplessness and Desolation

   Pain of Helplessness and Desolation       

The souls in Purgatory have entered into the realm of Divine Justice. The penance and satisfaction due for their faults must be made, either by the pain of Purgatory itself, or by the suffrages of the faithful, consisting in prayer, good works and the spiritual treasure of indulgences bestowed upon them; for the suffering souls can no longer merit and are entirely unable to assist themselves. A sick man and a beggar have a tongue to ask for help, and the very sight of their misery will move others to compassion. The suffering souls, however, have no resource but that of patience, resignation and hope. To all their moans there is but one answer, "the night hath come, in which no man can work."

     Hence in their extreme desolation and distress, they incessantly cry out to us for relief and assistance. But since they can not do this in a manner perceptible to us, holy Church does it for them by instituting many touching devotions in their behalf. Can we, then, be cold and heartless towards these souls? "A hard heart will fare evil at the last." Be not, then, indifferent to your own interests.

                    Prayer

Have mercy, O Lord, upon the suffering souls in Purgatory, in their helplessness and desolation. Comfort them by the prayers and petitions of the just in Heaven and upon earth; shorten the time of their suffering, and reward them with joys eternal. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

           Special Intercession 

Pray for the most forsaken and helpless souls.

           Eternal Rest (3x)

Lord grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

          

                 Practice

Deny yourself a little comfort, or some special consolation, and offer it for the most forsaken souls in Purgatory.

             Invocation

        My Jesus, mercy!