(To go directly to the suggestions, scroll and look for the 🙏 )
Once in a homily, the priest related that, when his mother was nearing death she realized that he may, in grief, magnify her finer points while dismissing her less-than-ideal characteristics. She warned him not to “canonize” her in his eulogy. Instead, she insisted that all present be urged to offer prayers and Masses for her soul so as to minimize any time she was destined to spend in Purgatory.
While I doubt my kids will make the mistake of thinking I’ve skipped straight into Heaven when I leave this world, I’m not as confident all of them will realize the critical role they can play in facilitating that outcome sooner rather than later.
As I’ve grown in the Faith, I’ve become more aware of the need to offer prayers, sacrifices, and Masses for our many family and friends who have passed. A few years ago, I started the practice of sending out texts to the kids on the birthdays and anniversaries of the death of close relatives and friends. In it, I ask them to pause and say a quick prayer for the deceased person’s soul and, in their honor, for the souls of all who await entrance into Heaven.
When my time comes to transition out of this life, I hope to be able to take comfort in their understanding of the charitable importance of remembering the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
The Church, in her wisdom, has a month set aside to cultivate such a habit: November.
The very first day of November, the solemnity of All Saints Day, sets the hopeful tone for the month. Not only does it remind us to be ever-aware of our final destination, it also brings to light that no matter what our situation or need, there’s a saint for that – one who persevered in the Faith and understands the particular challenge, suffering, or joy being experienced. It’s also a wonderful reminder that we are never alone in our pursuit of holiness. All the saints – those known and unknown in the Church Triumphant – are cheering us on, rejoicing in our every step toward Heaven and willing to intercede on our behalf.
The following day, All Souls Day, begins the Church’s annual concentration on the souls in Purgatory, also known as the Church Suffering. We, as the Church Militant here on earth, are encouraged to offer up prayers and sacrifices for those who have gone before and are undergoing needed purification before their entrance into Heaven. We pray particularly for our family and friends, but also for all the Holy Souls, some of whom may have no one else to pray for them.
November serves as a reminder that we have a holy duty as Catholics to pray for those who are awaiting their entrance to Heaven. There are so many small sacrifices or prayers we can offer. Here are some practices I’ve incorporated into my November plan as well as into my daily prayers year-round.
🙏 During the month of November itself, I have a blank calendar for filling in names of deceased family and friends for each day so that, on that day, all my prayers and sacrifices will be offered up for that person.
🙏 Scheduling Masses to be offered: This is also the month that I review any Masses that have yet to be scheduled. In some parishes where there’s a specific month where the Mass book is opened for scheduling Masses, this could be the time to jot a reminder down on that month’s page of your calendar.
🙏 Novena/Devotions: Usually our parish has at least one of these during November so we can participate. If not, or in addition, there are a variety of Novenas and Devotions available to us online or in print.
Year -round:
🙏 In addition to that mentioned above about sending out a family text or email on the death anniversary and/or birth date of each close family member or friend to encourage all to pause and say a quick prayer for our loved one…
🙏 Add-ons to prayers: Every day, we now add this simple prayer when we say Grace before meals: “May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”
🙏 Likewise, when saying prayers after Mass, the Prayer of St. Gertrude for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, has become a staple: “Eternal 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 sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home, and within my family. Amen.”
🙏 Daily Devotional: This past year, I began using a book that was recommended for its’ short daily reflections about the souls in Purgatory. Day by Day for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, 365 Reflections, is written by Susan Tassone, a woman who is dedicated to helping Catholics increase their practice of praying for those in Purgatory.
As long as we live, we may never realize the value of our prayers for loved ones and for those who have been forgotten. Yet when it is our turn to leave this world, may we – if in Purgatory – be comforted by theirs and other’s prayers, and, upon our entrance into Heaven, may we be greeted by family and friends (including new ones!) in a joyful reunion that was hastened by our small acts of charity here on earth.