Prayers, Promises and Devotions for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

With the recent passing of my dad, I've been contemplating purgatory and was immediately drawn to this book out of an extensive list of choices to review from The Catholic Company.  It's called "Prayers, Promises and Devotions for the Holy Souls in Purgatory" by Susan Tassone.  As it states, it consists of prayers, devotions and promises given to the saints by divine revelation throughout history and as well as by Sacred Tradition.  She is not intending to prove that purgatory exists rather she is sharing what she has learned through her extensive research on this topic based off of the saints.

I guess I could say, I didn't "read" the book but I "prayed" it.  For those who do not believe or have trouble believing in purgatory, the introduction is for you.  It's called "Why Should We Pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory?"  Here is what Ms. Tassone states:

"Purgatory is the masterpiece of the merciful heart of God, the marvelous genius of his love.
 However, the holy souls in purgatory can no longer gain merit for themselves.
 Once the soul leaves the body, the time of merit us up.
Then they are paying a debt.
  They suffer unceasingly.
                                                       Our Lord wants his captives free."

Her book starts out with a novena of prayers and reflections.  For example, Day 1 begins with a quote from C.S. Lewis (well-known Anglican author and apologist) stating "Our souls demand purgatory, don't they?"   It then goes on to offer insights into this doctrine that dates back to the early Christian Church.  Such as, "St. Gregory the Great is best known for bringing us the Gregorian Chant, standardizing the Roman Canon Mass and being the first to organize Church alms for the poor.  He also popularized the pious practice of offering thirty consecutive Masses for one deceased person."  He lived over five centuries after the death of Jesus and took this doctrine seriously.  Each chapter is filled with these type of insights and quotes from the saints.  

Ms. Tassone's book is chock full of information as well as ways to pray for the souls in purgatory.  As part of my experience reading this book, I prayed the novena and each prayer for my father and other deceased family members.  I didn't want to assume they were in Heaven when I could be using my time wisely here on earth by praying for them.  I felt so strongly after reading this book, that I made sure to remind my son of this important, rarely talked about doctrine.  I want him to pray for my soul when my time comes.  Sadly, in this current age, we don't hear much at all said about purgatory.  In fact, many Catholics today don't believe in it.  This book will enlighten any person about the long history of this doctrine and it's current belief in our church.  It really is a must read for all Catholics and Christians alike.

Since Christmas is a few days away, here is one last quote from St. Teresa of Avila.  She tells us that "the most souls are released on Christmas Day, followed by the number of souls released at Easter and then the feast days dedicated to Our Lord and Our Lady."  Let's start offering up prayers for the holy souls in purgatory for our beloved family members and especially for those who have no one to pray for them.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. The Catholic Childrens Bible, (Google Affiliate Ad)Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Prayers, Promises and Devotions for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.  They have great gift ideas for all season of the liturgical year, be sure to check out their Advent and Christmas gifts.

Advent Blessings,

Noreen

Prayer for our Enemies

A Celtic Blessing

This soul did little good to me, O Lord.

But this soul was yours.

So to this soul I say:

I bless the day you were born,

I bless your growing up,

I bless you even in your dark deeds,

And I bless you, soul, at your end.

Travel to God who transforms,

Travel to the Arms so wide,

Travel to the Spirit all generous.

Amen

Credit

Honoring the Dead 

by St. John Chrysostom:

"Will you honor the dead?  Do not spend yourselves in unprofitable lamentations: 

choose rather to sing Psalms, to give alms and lead a holy life.  Do for them that which they would willingly do for themselves; were they to return again into the world; 

and God will accept it at your hands as if it had come from them.

Let us help and commemorate them.  If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation?  

Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and offer our prayers for them.

The Psalms unite the living with the dead.

This Celtic Blessing and Prayer written by St. John Chrysostom were found in the current book I'm reading called "Prayers, Promises and Devotions for the Holy Souls in Purgatory" written by Susan Tassone.

Advent Blessings,

Noreen

My Journey with Our Blessed Mother

     How do you explain why we, as Catholics, believe in Purgatory?  This word is not in the bible yet we are taught to believe in Purgatory.  I do believe because it makes sense to me logically and I trust my church but I have a desire to know more.

     I know this issue was discussed at the early church councils and there are a couple of verses that seem to infer "a purging through fire."   But where does it originate?

     From books, I've learned that Our Lady has shown the visionaries Heaven, Purgatory and Hell.  St. Faustina was brought to Purgatory by her Guardian Angel and wrote about in it her book, The Diary of Sister Faustina.  (Which I have and still need to read.)

      I am now reading The Visions of the Children~ The Apparitions of the Blessed Mother at Medjugorje and read about the children's visits to Purgatory and Our Lady's messages regarding Purgatory... and I was in tears.  Not knowing if my loved ones who have died are there?  Our Lady of Medjugorje, who appears in Bosnia Herzegovina, tells us about the souls in purgatory who have been forgotten by their loved ones on earth.  "The Blessed Mother said the souls in purgatory are very lonely.  She asked that all the pilgrims pray for their beloved dead by name.  She said the souls in purgatory can see their loved ones on earth.  Most people today have forgotten or don't know about purgatory.  Souls there are very, very lonely.  The Blessed Mother wants her faithful ones to pray for them by name."

     I've had the habit of "offering up the good I've done to the souls in Purgatory" and to pray for them during mass.  I will say each name in my head of my family members, neighbors, friend's parent's who have died during my lifetime.  But I feel as if that's not enough...I feel an urgency about this that I cannot explain.
     Of course, there is the St. Gertrude Prayer taught to her by Our Lord:  Eternal Father, I offer Thee 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, those in my own home and within my family. Amen."
     
     I also pray the prayers given by Our Lord to St. Bridget of Sweden every day and have been for 9 months now, even though the duration is 12 years for this devotion.




  
     What have you learned of Purgatory?  What do you do for the souls of Purgatory?


May God Richly Bless You,
noreen