Pray with me for the Poor Souls in Purgatory. Scripture gives us good reason to pray for the dead: see 2 Machabees 12:46, 1 Corinthians 3:15, and St. Matthew 12:32. These prayers are an act of charity through which we can help the faithful departed undergoing purification.
If you need encouragement to pray for the Poor Souls, I also recommend my reading of Fr Schouppe’s book, Purgatory.
Also important to know, as far as a measure by which to see things, is to understand Purgatory as more a mercy than a power-play of God’s judgment. Not a single one of us deserves eternal life in Heaven, and Purgatory is not a “demotion” down from Heaven, but God’s merciful purification of souls already saved, preparing them for Heaven. They can no longer sin, and because they have seen God for only a glimpse upon death, they no longer want to.
November 1, the Feast of All Saints, honors the Church Triumphant—the saints in Heaven. November 2 remembers the Church Suffering—the souls in Purgatory. We Catholics are the Church Militant, still fighting the spiritual battle on earth. One Church, united under Christ our King.
Watch the previous video on Christ the King, whose original feast falls on the last Sunday of October, not right before Advent as most see it now. In 1925, with the onset and danger of communism clearly the context of the decree, Pius XI placed it before All Saints to honor the King who triumphs in His saints, both in eternity but also here on earth in the temporal spheres. Its proximity to All Hallows’ Eve (October 31), All Saints, and All Souls brings that communion into focus.
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My Columbus series and upcoming Spanish evangelization videos explore our own duties within the order of God’s kingdom. The Church Militant has work to do, and we cannot be soft of mind: “Blessed be the Lord my God, who teacheth my hands to fight, and my fingers to war.” — Psalm 143:1
Further Reading
- St. Francis de Sales — On Purgatory
- St. Robert Bellarmine — On Purgatory
- Douay-Rheims Bible and traditional annotations
- The Catholic Encyclopedia — “Purgatory”
- Fish Eaters — Purgatory and prayer for the dead
Images are used for purposes of prayer, education, and commentary under the fair use provisions of U.S. copyright law.
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