Saturday, November 5, 2016

Holy Souls - month of November and all year long



In our last post, we spoke about the messages of Lourdes.  Let's look at the message of Mary's request: "Ask your priest to build a beautiful chapel here so that the people can come to my Son in        procession."





While we should be doing this anyway, during this Year of Mercy at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, we have been walking through the Holy Doors.  Walking through the Holy Doors is complying with Mary's request of 1858, but every time we go to Mass, we also fulfill her request.



We are always called to come to the Mercy of Jesus.  During this Year of Mercy, we have seen the evidence of so many graces received and so much mercy bestowed upon so many people.  The Year of Mercy should not end because of a calendar date.  Every year, every month, every day, we should continue practicing mercy as this year has prompted.  We need to be doing acts of mercy ever day!  

One of the blessings of the Holy Doors was receiving the plenary indulgence, which we could ask God to bestow upon a poor soul in Purgatory.  It is no coincidence then that every year, on November 2nd, All Souls Day, we are asked to pray for the Poor Souls.  Again, this is something that we should be doing everyday of the year, not just on November 2nd.  

During the month of November, we will again be having the Novena of Masses for the Poor Souls and you will find a form on our website to list your deceased loves ones for this Novena.  You may also want to add them to the Purgatory Page, where many Holy Souls are listed and prayed for daily.  

"Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon them.  May they rest in peace.  And may the Souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."

Holy Souls Prayer

Please pray this prayer daily for the Holy Souls in Purgatory:

"Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon them.  May they rest in peace. And may the Souls of the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen."


You can also offer this prayer for a specific person by substituting "him" or "them" with a specific name.


Here is a wonderful article by Scott P. Richert about the Catholic Prayer and Purgatory.