O, what a debt of gratitude we owe God for the merciful
institution of Purgatory. He will not cast us away from Him when we arrive
travel-worn and sin-stained at the gates of our heavenly Fatherland. If only we bear within our souls the image of
God in Sanctifying Grace, we shall be received with kindness and shall be given
the opportunity to purify ourselves completely before entering our happy Home.
In every Mass that is offered the Church orders a special
prayer for the dead. In all her offices
and prayers she remembers them in those beautiful and familiar words “May the
souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.” Not only that but she has appointed a special
day each year on which the Holy Sacrifice is solemnly offered for them and has
consecrated the whole month of November, during which period she urges all her children
to be particularly mindful of “those who have gone before us and sleep in the
sleep of peace.” They
are confirmed in grace, they are “the holy souls” and most dear to God; but they
must be cleansed by the purifying fire from every slightest stain of defilement
before they can enter into His all-holy presence.
prayer for the dead. In all her offices
and prayers she remembers them in those beautiful and familiar words “May the
souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.” Not only that but she has appointed a special
day each year on which the Holy Sacrifice is solemnly offered for them and has
consecrated the whole month of November, during which period she urges all her children
to be particularly mindful of “those who have gone before us and sleep in the
sleep of peace.” They
are confirmed in grace, they are “the holy souls” and most dear to God; but they
must be cleansed by the purifying fire from every slightest stain of defilement
before they can enter into His all-holy presence.
They can do nothing for themselves. The time of meriting has passed for
them. The night has fallen upon them,
wherein, as our divine Saviour said, “no man can work.” (John, ix, 4) They are
utterly helpless in their intense suffering, and entirely dependent upon the mercy
of God, the intercession of the angels and saints in heaven, and the prayers, alms
deeds, mortifications, indulgences and Masses above all, offered for them upon
this earth.
them. The night has fallen upon them,
wherein, as our divine Saviour said, “no man can work.” (John, ix, 4) They are
utterly helpless in their intense suffering, and entirely dependent upon the mercy
of God, the intercession of the angels and saints in heaven, and the prayers, alms
deeds, mortifications, indulgences and Masses above all, offered for them upon
this earth.
If an angel of God went down into purgatory and asked them
why they had not long ago been delivered, they might well answer like the poor
man at the pool of Bethsaida answered our Divine Master that he had no friend
to help him. (John, v)
why they had not long ago been delivered, they might well answer like the poor
man at the pool of Bethsaida answered our Divine Master that he had no friend
to help him. (John, v)
Let us remember those holy souls who cannot help
themselves in that prison of purgatory by gaining all the indulgences we can in
their favour. Let us not disappoint
them, let us begin today to redouble our charity and loving kindness towards
the holy souls.
Just wanted to thank you so VERY much for all these posts on your beautiful blog, I always, always look forward to the next post! You all are a precious inspiration! God Bless you all! ~ Claire