Posted on November 1, 2024
Catechism Meditation:
Communion with the dead. “In full consciousness of this communion of the whole Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, the Church in its pilgrim members, from the very earliest days of the Christian religion, has honored with great respect the memory of the dead; and ‘because it is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins’ she offers her suffrages for them.” Our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective. ―No. 958
REFLECTION. Not only do we experience grief and loss when our loved ones leave us in death, but we may also worry for the state of their souls as a natural response and reflection of our love. Scriptures and the Catholic Church have always taught of the existence of purgatory, where we are cleansed after death of the remnants of our sins, and where our souls are prepared to enter heaven and perfect union with God.
What is a suffrage? Father John Hardon’s Modern Catholic Dictionary defines it as: “The prayers prescribed or promised for specific intentions. More particularly, suffrages are the Masses, prayers, or acts of piety offered for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed.” Suffrages are the prayers, Rosaries, and Masses that we offer for the souls in purgatory. This is something that we can do at all times – and should do – as it is one of the most charitable acts that we can do.
How can we help the souls in purgatory? We can offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for them and offer our constant prayers and penances. During the month of November, we honor All Saints and All Souls. It’s a particularly fruitful and appropriate time to offer all we can as remedies for these precious souls. Fasting is an efficacious sacrifice that we can offer for the holy souls in purgatory. Almsgiving is powerful for the remission of sins, which means that we can offer alms to the poor on behalf of the dead. The Church also provides generous indulgences that can be obtained for the Holy Souls.
From Nov 1-8, we have a special opportunity to gain a plenary indulgence for a soul in purgatory each day by visiting a cemetery and praying for the dead. This indulgence is a powerful act of mercy that helps release souls undergoing purification and bring them closer to Heaven.
How can we avoid purgatory? St. John of the Cross said, “God provides.” So avoid sin. Pray the Rosary. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Go to monthly confession. Go to weekly Adoration. Accept trials. Forgive. The more you pray on earth — constant, fervent prayer throughout life — the closer you will be to getting out of purgatory if you go there.
So let us pray for the dead and the Holy Souls in purgatory. We need to learn from purgatory, avoid purgatory and empty purgatory.
St. Gertrude’s Prayer: Eternal Father, I offer You the most precious blood of thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, for those in my own home, and in my own family. Amen.
Timeless Wisdom Quote:
“As we enter Heaven, we will see them, so many of them, coming towards us and thanking us. We will ask who they are, and they will say ‘a poor soul you prayed for in purgatory.’” ― Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
Featured Video:
What is Purgatory? (6:00)
