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7 Meaningful Ways to Remember and Pray for Our Loved Ones in Holy Souls November

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6 months ago

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November is a day to honor the holy souls in purgatory.
The practice of praying for the dead has its origins in the Bible and remains an important part of Catholic spirituality (daily, not just in November).
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
“All who die in God’s grace and friendship but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death, they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” (CCC 1030)
Purgatory is not a second chance for the soul to repent.
Rather, it is a state of purification for those destined for heaven.

Why do we pray for the saints in purgatory?

Simply put, our prayers will help them!
Saint John Vianney said:
“Consider then…the magnitude of these sufferings which the souls in Purgatory endure; and the means which we have of mitigating them: our prayers, our good works, and, above all, the holy sacrifice of the Mass”
“So consider the suffering of the souls in Purgatory.
And the means of relief are our prayers, our good deeds and, above all, the sacrifice of the Holy Liturgy”.

1. Make Sacrifices for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

You can offer today’s suffering for the purification of souls in purgatory! Examples include not adding cream to your coffee, keeping your mouth shut when tempted to gossip, or posting on social media on Sundays.

2. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Instructions for praying the Divine Mercy Rosary can be found here.

3. Pray the Office of the Dead

The National Catholic Register has a guide.

4. Request a Mass to be offered for the repose of souls (or a deceased family member or friend)

We can also offer communion to souls in purgatory. What a great gift!

5. Add the “Eternal Rest” Prayer to Your Regular Prayer Routine

Lord, give them eternal rest.
May eternal light shine upon them.
By the will of God, may their souls and the souls of all the faithful who have died enjoy rest in heaven. Amen.

6. Visit a Cemetery and Pray for the Departed

Prayer for the dead is an act of spiritual mercy! Take time to visit the graves of loved ones and even strangers.
There are too many souls who do not receive prayer.

7. Pray Saint Gertrude’s Prayer for Souls in Purgatory

This powerful prayer is said to free 1000 souls from purgatory!
Eternal Father, today, through Masses around the world, we offer the most precious blood of Your Son Jesus for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners around the world, and for sinners and sinners in the universal Church.
In my house and in my family.
Amen.
As I pray for those who have died, I am reminded of these powerful words by Pastor Fulton Sheen:
“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.”
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