Devotion to the Holy Souls

Devotion to the Holy Souls in Purgatory

See the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior and Novena below.

November begins with a remembrance of All Saints (Nov. 1) and All Souls (Nov. 2).  In addition to asking the intercession of our Guardian Angels (Oct. 1) and Archangels (Sept. 29), we should ask the prayers of our patron saints and loved ones departed.  Consider making a personal Litany of the Saints based on the various holy men and women who have inspired you through the years.  This litany or list might include national or occupational saints or the saints of parishes & schools which you have attended.

But we should also have a special devotion to the Holy Souls or faithful departed because they actually need our prayers in ways that the angels and saints do not.  And as they need our prayers to shorten their time of purgation before entering Heaven, they also pray for us with a very intense devotion and return the favor many, many times over.  As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:

1030 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.

1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. the tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:

As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.

1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:

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 to offer our prayers for them.

How can we pray for the Holy Souls?

We can offer our prayers (those listed below as well as the Stations of the Cross), fasting and daily sacrifices for the Holy Souls.

• Here are some devotional practices for each season of the year: http://www.prayforsouls.org/ways/sacrifices
   
• Pray the famous prayer of St. Gertrude the Great for the Holy Souls: https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/prayers-for-souls-in-purgatory.html
  
  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.
   
• The Catholic Church’s Manual of Indulgences recommends the practice of visiting cemeteries and praying for our departed loved ones:
  
  FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
  §1 A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who,
      1° on any and each day from November 1 to 8, devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, if only mentally, for the departed;
      2° on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2, devoutly visit a church or an oratory and recite an Our Father and the Creed.
  
  §2 A partial indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who,
      1° devoutly visit a cemetery and at least mentally pray for the dead;
      2° devoutly recite lauds or vespers from the Office of the Dead or the prayer Eternal rest (shown below).
  
  Requiem aeternam “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.”
   
• Consider praying a Novena for the Holy Souls beginning on Saturday, Oct. 24, and concluding on All Saints’ Day, Nov. 1.  Here is a famous novena of St. Alphonsus Ligouri: https://catholicnovenaapp.com/novenas/novena-holy-souls-purgatory/# 

How can we pray for the dying each day?

As we consider and pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, we are reminded to pray for those who are dying.  Every second of every day, someone is passing into eternal life.  As many of those individuals either do not know the mercy of God or are unprepared to face judgment, we must pray for their salvation.  Think of this as an opportunity to rescue souls in danger so that they can become Holy Souls on their way to Heaven.

• Our Lady of Fatima pleads with us to pray for the dying (Portugal, 1917): https://catholicexchange.com/ladys-request-pray-dying
   
• Jesus asks St. Faustina to pray for the dying (Diary of St. Faustina): https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/praying-dying-and-deceased
   
• What prayers can we offer for the dying?
  • Chaplet of Divine Mercy: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/eadm/praying 
  • St. Joseph Patron of the Dying: https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/prayers-for-the-dying.html 
  • Prayers at the bedside:  https://www.artofdyingwell.org/what-is-dying-well/a-good-catholic-death/catholic-prayers-dead-dying/ 

St. Alphonsus Ligouri Novena for the Holy Souls

For nine days, from Oct. 24 until Nov. 1, St. Alphonsus provides a meditation which is followed by the praying of an Our Father, Hail Mary and the Prayer to Our Suffering Savior (below). Understand that this was written over 300 years ago and the language may seem strange. But know that St. Alphonsus reminds us that the Holy Souls are saved, are members of the church, we need to support them in their time of transition. Let us pray for mercy for them - and for ourselves.

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Prayer to Our Suffering Saviour for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemani, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.

    (state your intentions here)

Blessed Souls, I have prayed for thee. I entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for me a miserable sinner, who is in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Amen.