Praying for the Souls in Purgatory

Dear Friends in Christ, 
November is a time when we focus on praying for the souls in purgatory.  I just read a great article on praying for our loved ones in purgatory.  It’s contains a good reminder for all of us that Saint John Vianney had a vision in which he heard souls cry out: “Tell our loved ones, tell our children, tell all our relatives…we throw ourselves at their feet to import the help of their prayers.”  Will we help them? 
    
A teaching on Purgatory:
The Catechism (#1472) teaches us that every sin, even venial sin, involves an unhealthy attachment to creatures which must be purified either when we are on earth, or after death in the state call Purgatory.  Purgatory means we have made it! We have avoided eternal punishment of sin called Hell (which is real and to be believed).  The purification process frees us from the “temporal punishment” due to sin.  God wants to the full conversion of the soul, so the soul can experience the fullness of love.  We can help ourselves here on earth but continuing to convert our soul to Christ, and we can help our loved ones in purgatory by praying for them fervently. 

How can we pray for the souls in purgatory?

1. Offer Masses
2. Pray the Rosary or the Divine Mercy Chaplet, especially for souls that are near death and right after death. 
3. Pray the Saint Gertrude prayerEternal Father, I offer You the most Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for all sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.
4. Gain an indulgence during the month of November.  November has special graces attached to praying for souls. Here are excerpts from an article on the Vatican News website

Plenary Indulgence during month of November
Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the need to avoid large groups from forming where prohibited, the Plenary Indulgence applicable to the deceased by those who visit a cemetery has been extended beyond the normal dates of 1 to 8 November. This year, the indulgence can be obtained by anyone who visits a cemetery, even if only mentally, on any day in November, and devoutly prays for the faithful departed.

Conditions for a Plenary Indulgence 
The conditions for a plenary indulgence are being “completely detached from sin” and the intention of completing the other requirements for obtaining a Plenary Indulgence remain. These conditions are Sacramental Confession, reception of Holy Communion and a prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions. 

Please note the multiple times we have for confessions at SJN and the opportunity to receive communion at EVERY MASS both inside and outside the Church.  If you are homebound the priests are ready to come to YOU! Please contact the parish and we can arrange a visit. 

Plenary Indulgence for Feast of All Souls’ Day
Regarding the Plenary Indulgence attached to All Souls’ Day, 2 November, this year, it can be obtained not only on the preceding or succeeding Sunday, or on the actual Feast day, but on any other day of the month chosen by each member of the faithful. In this case, the indulgence is obtained by “devoutly visiting a church or an oratory”, along with the recitation of the Our Father and the Creed, and the other requirements associated with a Plenary Indulgence.

The homebound
For anyone who cannot leave their home for various reasons, including anti-Covid restrictions, they too can obtain the Plenary Indulgence by “uniting themselves spiritually to other members of the faithful”. In this case, the condition of being “completely detached from sin” and the intention of completing the other requirements for obtaining a Plenary Indulgence remain. These conditions are Sacramental Confession, reception of Holy Communion and a prayer for the Holy Father’s intentions.

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More Details Join us for a special All Souls Day Mass on Monday, November 2 at 7:00pm in the church or live streamed on our YouTube Channel.