November Devotion:  The Holy Souls in Purgatory

November Devotion:  The Holy Souls in Purgatory

We all want to believe that our deceased friends and loved ones are now happy and at peace with God in Heaven and yet the Catholic Church teaches that:  “All who de in God’s friendship but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation but, after death, they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1030)

Since the 16th century, the Catholic Church has dedicated the entire month of November to commemorating all of her faithful children who have departed from this life, but have not yet attained the joys of heaven.    The Holy Souls in purgatory are those who have died in the state of grace but are not yet free from all punishment due to their unforgiven venial sins and all other sins which are forgiven but for which satisfaction is still to be made.   They are certain of entering Heaven but first they must suffer and be purified in Purgatory.

The Holy Souls cannot help themselves.   For them, the night has come when no-one can work (John 9:4).   It is our great privilege, as brothers and sisters in Christ, to be able to shorten their time of separation from God by our prayers, good works and especially, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.   Therefore, the Church has always taught us to pray for the Holy Souls in purgatory.   Thus, may we all prayer the Eternal Rest, at least, daily for the Holy Souls in Purgatory during the month of November.   Many, already add St Gertrude’s Offering of the Precious Blood, to their daily morning offerings.

Eternal Father,
I offer You
the Most Precious Blood
of Your divine Son, Jesus,
in union with all the
Masses said throughout
the world today.
For all the Souls in Purgatory,
for sinners everywhere,
sinners in the universal Church,
those in my own home
and in my family.
Amen

ETERNAL REST

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord
and may perpetual light shine upon them,
and may the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God,
rest in peace.
Amen