SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES: THE NEED TO PRAY FOR THE DEAD: We can see clearly that it is not only a wholesome thought to pray for the dead, but a very important one which is being quite neglected today. Not only do non-Catholics neglect this practice, but most Catholics also have come to sorely overlook this necessity. We have forgotten that the Church consists of three parts working together: The Church Militant (we, those who fight daily for our salvation on earth), the Church Suffering (the Poor Souls in Purgatory), and the Church Triumphant (the Angels and Saints in Heaven). All three branches of the Church make up the Mystical Body of Christ and work together to maintain its foundation. When we, the Church Militant, forget to pray for our suffering brothers and sisters in Purgatory (the Church Suffering), we weaken the foundation of the Church.

WHY THE NEED FOR PURGATORY? Our Protestant brothers and sisters in Christ insist that there are only two options after death, Heaven and Hell. I am thankful to be Catholic because it gives me the very reassuring knowledge that there is another option after death, one for which most of us should be most grateful: Purgatory. I would be quite afraid to ever assume that I am pure enough to go straight to Heaven after death. It is the Mercy of God which gives humanity a place of purification prior to Heaven: Purgatory. The need for Purgatory can be explained quite easily by using an analogy that I’ve used to explain this doctrine to my young children. It is a suitable analogy for explaining Purgatory to adults, too. Imagine this: you were invited to attend a grand ball, a wonderful party, and everyone there was wearing their finest clothes, had their hair done up beautifully, had been bathed and were clean and sweet-smelling. The host of the party answers he door and you are invited to enter. But you are standing there in horrible rags. Your hair is tangled and smelly, and you are clean and need a bath. Would you want to enter into that party? For those who continue to insist that there is no Purgatory, I ask: What makes you so sure that you will arrive totally pure, in a sinless state, at the moment of death and judgment? Aren’t all of us sinners, daily performing countless small sins which only the eyes of God can see? Be joyful, then, for a place or purgation where we can cleanse ourselves of sin prior to entering into the perfect beauty of Heaven!

THE SAINTS AND PURGATORY: Through the centuries, Our Lord has granted to many saints and holy chosen individuals the gift of a charism which allows one to be visited by the Souls in Purgatory. Among them are St. Gertrude (who was given a powerful prayer to release souls from Purgatory that will be given later I this website), St. Catherine of Genoa, Maryam of Jesus, St. Margaret Mary of Paray-le-Monial, the Cure of Ars, Blessed Faustina, St. John Bosco, Maria Simma, and many others. Our Lord grants this gift in order to increase awareness of the need to pray for the Pour Souls. These chosen individuals were granted actual visits from various Souls in Purgatory, who relate information to them about this place of Purgatory, which remains such a mystery. Please do not confuse this charism (visits from the Holy Souls) with the modern new age occult practices of summoning spirits from the dead (through so-called ‘channeling’, seances, or other ‘psychic encounters’). The charism of visits by the Holy Souls is one which the individual has no control over (i.e. he/she cannot ‘summon’ souls at will with which to converse).

WHAT DO THE HOLY SOULS MOST DESIRE OF US ON EARTH? The most efficacious practice we can do is to have Masses celebrated for the Holy Souls, or for a particular soul who has died. Of course, one should be present at these Masses. Other pious practices which are beneficial to the Holy Souls are saying the Rosary and making the Stations of the Cross on behalf of the Poor Souls. We should never underestimate the value of personal suffering, whether it be physical, spiritual or temporal. Uniting even the tiniest suffering, inconvenience or act of mortification with the sufferings of Jesus and placing them into the hands of the Blessed Mother on behalf of the Poor Souls is another very vital way to assist them. Indulgences can be applied to the dead, so remember the need for indulgenced prayers and actions.

Here are other indulgenced practices which can assist in aiding the Poor Souls on their journey to Heaven: *Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for at least 1/2 hour

* Reading Holy Scripture for at least 1/2 hour

* A church visit between noon of Nov. 1 and midnight of Nov. 2 for the intentions of the deceased

*Visiting a cemetery for the intentions of the deceased Reciting indulgenced prayers is also beneficial. Here are some of the most common:

*Soul of Christ, Sanctify Me

*Act of Spiritual Communion

*The Creed *Litanies (of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, or of the Saints).

* The Magnificat

* The Memorare

* Psalm 51

* Salve Regina ("Hail Holy Queen")

* Veni Creator ("Come, Holy Spirit...")

You can read many of these prayers in classic Catholic prayer books. A complete list of indulgenced prayers can be found in the THE BOOK OF INDULGENCES. Another simple prayer that is very efficacious for the poor souls is "Jesus, Mary, I Love You, Save Souls"

These words were spoken by Jesus to Sister M. Consolata. Jesus said,"Think - one act of love can determine eternal happiness for a soul. Therefore, be careful never to omit one "Jesus,Mary I Love You, Save Souls. Every act of love is a soul." Put together all virtuous acts of today that you can perform, and put them beside a day uninterrupted in acts of love - and I will take the love-filled day in preference to anything else you have done or offered Me. Jesus, Mary, I Love You, Save Souls" Herewith you offer Me everything." This short prayer, "Jesus, Mary, I love you, save souls" has the Imprimatur and even a Partial Indulgence! (Turin 10/1/48 Cardinal Fossari, Archbishop - Nihil Obstat:Dr. a Cottier, Censor Libr. Also, L. Waeber, Vic.Gen Friburgi Helv. 20 Sept. l951. )

There is also a beautiful leaflet called "The Holy Souls Will Repay Us a Thousand Times Over, " which states, "When they are finally released from their pains and enjoy the beatitude of Heaven, far from forgetting their friends on earth, their gratitude knows no bounds.Prostate before the Throne of God they never cease to pray for those who have helped them. By their prayers they shield their friends from the dangers and protect them from the evils that threaten them. They will never cease these prayers until they see their benefactors safely in Heaven. If Catholics only knew what powerful protectors they secure by helping the Holy Souls they would not be so remiss in praying for them. Another great grace that Holy Souls obtain for their helpers is a short and easy Purgatory, or possibly its COMPLETE remission. (Imprimatur: Herbert Cardinal Vaughan).

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT PURGATORY

* Although Purgatory can be quite painful in a spiritual way, there is great joy there, because the souls are assured of their salvation.

* The Souls in Purgatory decides to go there (God does not ‘send them there’), as they wish to be purified and cleansed before entering Heaven.

* Our Lady visits the Souls in Purgatory often to console them and give them encouragement. The Souls refer to her as Mother of Mercy.

* Humility on earth is one of the greatest ways to deflect evil and lessen our stay in Purgatory.

* A single act of charity done in pure love can cover a multitude of sins and decrease significantly our stay in Purgatory!

* For as long as we are living on earth we can repair for the evil we have done. We can no longer gain such merits in Purgatory.

* Sufferings on earth are the greatest proof of the love of God, and, if we offer them well, they can win many souls!

* We should give all sufferings to Our Lady, as She is the one who best knows which soul(s) is in most need of the offering in order to be saved.

* Only when we achieve Heaven will we see the number of souls that were saved by accepting our sufferings on earth with patience and uniting them for the Poor Souls with the sufferings of Christ.

* The Souls in Purgatory do not rebel because they are there, but rather they wish to be purified and understand its necessity.

* A person can ask the Lord for permission to offer up particular sufferings in order to do their Purgatory on earth and not after death.

* A soul who is condemned to Hell chooses this and openly rejects God at the moment of judgment.

* The use of Holy Water disturbs the devil very much and he immediately flees from wherever it is used.

As members of the Church Militant, it is critical for us to re-instate the pious practice of praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. The Holy Souls cannot pray for themselves, but can intervene in miraculous ways to pray for us and our needs and intentions in return. Each soul brought into God’s Kingdom by the prayers and actions we perform on their behalf while on earth will be our friend forever in Heaven! They will continue to pray and intercede for us in a most powerful way when they join the company of Heaven and joyously become part of the Church Triumphant.

Please pray this prayer before leaving this website! It was revealed to St. Gertrude the Great by Our Lord, and he promised to release 1,000 souls from Purgatory when it is recited with love and devotion! Prayer to Release 1,000 Souls from Purgatory Eternal Father, I offer You the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with all the Masses being said throughout the world today for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, those in the Universal Church, in my home and within my family. Amen. (revealed to St. Gertrude the Great) Thank you! The Poor Souls thank you, too!

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