November 10, 2024
This week we are taking a brief hiatus from our study of the heresy of Henry VIII and the consequences for the Church and the world. What I would ask of all of us is to spend a moment or two dwelling on the particular theme of this month – the Holy Souls in Purgatory. While November is a month dedicated to praying for the dead, it is particularly for those souls in purgatory that we pray.
We the Church Militant, pray for the Church Suffering. For our brothers and sisters in the faith who are in need of our assistance and promise us their gratitude and prayers in return. We remember that the souls in purgatory can do nothing to alleviate their own suffering, in God’s Divine Justice, they owe Him the proper penance and atonement for their sins that were not completely or properly atoned for while on this earth. Those vestiges of unatoned for or habitual sin are why souls end up in purgatory. As St. John tells us “nothing unclean can enter into God’s presence”. The slightest stain on the soul prevents it from entering into the Banquet of the Lamb in heaven. One key thing about purgatory that is often overlooked is this very fact: Purgatory exists because of God’s great mercy.
When one dies, if there were no place or opportunity to be cleansed, to be “purged” of the stains of sin, the soul would end up in hell. That is a horrifying thought. Our Good God loves us so much though, that He offers us this last rung on a ladder to heaven. His justice still requires us to be perfected, but at least the soul knows it is on the ladder that climbs upwards and didn’t fall into the abyss. This is where that familial relationship of the Faith really comes into play. Family assists one another in difficulties, they are able to rejoice with their loved ones successes or mourn over their failures. They consistently desire the good for those bound to them by blood. The bond of the soul through Faith goes even deeper and further than that.
To come back around to the main idea behind this little column this weekend; it was to remind us to pray and intercede for the Holy Souls. A few things we can all do: 1. Offer our Mass and communion up for the souls in purgatory and try to get to some extra Masses this month in particular. 2. Make some extra time to pray for the Holy Souls every day. Maybe try and spend a little time in adoration with the Lord and beg for His mercy on the souls of our family and friends. 3. Visit the local cemetery and sprinkle some holy water on the graves. Holy water is a powerful sacramental that does alleviate some of the suffering of the souls. 4. Say a Hail Mary everyday for the soul that no one is praying for.
Remember always, that the little gift of our time and prayer here not only helps those souls attain to the perfect glory of God, but also when that terrible day of judgement comes to be ours, we will have so many intercessors and souls pleading for us before the Just Judge. They will cry out to Him who is the ultimate in Mercy, Justice and Purity - “Lord, have mercy on this one in particular as they had on us. Lord, this is one of those who did not forget us, please accept our sufferings for this, our dear friend.”
Here is a little prayer that you can take with you and try and say every day for the Holy Souls in purgatory.
God love you, Fr. Anthony
FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY
O Lord, who art ever merciful and bounteous with Thy gifts, look down upon the suffering souls in purgatory. Remember not their offenses and negligences, but be mindful of Thy loving mercy, which is from all eternity. Cleanse them of their sins and fulfill their ardent desires that they may be made worthy to behold Thee face to face in Thy glory. May they soon be united with Thee and hear those blessed words which will call them to their heavenly home: "Come, blessed of My Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
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