St. Faustina Prayer Book for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Susan Tassone

Devotion to the holy souls in purgatory isn’t some sort of “extra” Christian charity. (We certainly wouldn’t feel that way if we were in our neighbor’s place there!) Not just a responsibility, it’s a God-given honor and a privilege for all of us, young and old alike. And our Heavenly Father, who sees what we’re doing to help the souls, will reward us with more graces and blessings than we can even imagine. No one can outdo the generosity of God.

      O immense Passion, O profound Wounds, O most bitter Death, O Most Precious Blood, O Sweetness above all sweetness, give them eternal rest. Amen.

       Day Five

      After Vespers today, there was a procession to the cemetery. I could not go, because I was on duty at the gate. But that did not stop me at all from praying for the souls. As the procession was returning from the cemetery to the chapel, my soul felt the presence of many souls. I understood the great justice of God, how each one had to pay off the debt to the last cent. (1375) Most Merciful Heart of Jesus, protect us from the just anger of God. (1526) O Jesus, shield me with Your mercy and also judge me leniently, or else Your justice may rightly damn me. (1093)

      Reflection: It is God’s burning love, His longing for the holy souls, that creates their longing for Him. They burn for love of Him. Hearts flame for love of Him. They have an unquenchable thirst, an unspeakable yearning for Him, a “heartsickness” for Him. This is the essence of purgatory.

      O immense Passion, O profound Wounds, O most bitter Death, O Most Precious Blood, O Sweetness above all sweetness, give them eternal rest. Amen.

       Day Six

      One evening, one of the deceased sisters, who had already visited me a few times, appeared to me. The first time I had seen her, she had been in great suffering, and then gradually these sufferings had diminished; this time she was radiant with happiness, and she told me she was already in heaven. … And further as a sign that she only now was in heaven, God would bless our house. Then she came closer to me, embraced me sincerely and said, “I must go now.” I understood how closely the three stages of a soul’s life are bound together; that is to say, life on earth, in purgatory and in heaven [the Communion of Saints]. (594)

      [H]ow very easy it is to become holy; all that is needed is a bit of good will. If Jesus sees this little bit of good will in the soul, He hurries to give Himself to the soul, and nothing can stop Him, neither shortcomings nor falls — absolutely nothing. (291) May you be blessed, O God, for everything You send me. Nothing under the sun happens without Your will. (1208)

      “… God loves in a special way those whom we love.” (1438)

      Reflection: The holy souls in purgatory can no longer sin. They can no longer offend God. They want us to become saints. The saints experienced stress, temptations, and struggles. However, the saints became holy with these crosses. Choosing God is how we become holy. Prayer redirects our will. Aligning our life with the will of God will lead us directly to heaven.

      O immense Passion, O profound Wounds, O most bitter Death, O Most Precious Blood, O Sweetness above all sweetness, give them eternal rest. Amen.

       Day Seven

      One night, a sister who had died two months previously came to me…. I saw her in a terrible condition. … A shudder went through my soul because I did not know whether she was suffering in purgatory or in hell. Nevertheless, I redoubled my prayers for her. The next night she came again, but I saw her in an even more horrible state … and despair was written all over her face. I was astonished to see her in a worse condition after the prayers I had offered for her, and I asked, “Haven’t my prayers helped you?” She answered that my prayers had not helped her and that nothing would help her. I said to her, “And the prayers which the whole community has offered for you, have they not been any help to you?” She said no, that these prayers had helped some other souls. I replied, “If my prayers are not helping you, Sister, please stop coming to me.” She disappeared at once. Despite this, I kept on praying.

      After some time she came back again to me during the night, but already her appearance had changed … her face was radiant, her eyes beaming with joy. She told me I had a true love for my neighbor and that many other souls had profited from my prayers. She urged me not to cease praying for the souls in purgatory, and she added that she herself would not remain there much longer. How astounding are the decrees of God! (58)

      Reflection: We need the urgings of the holy souls, and we need grace. When we show compassion to them, the holy souls with their powerful influence will never fail us. Above all, they come to your aid in the salvation of your soul and relief in the agonies of death before God’s judgment seat. Double up on your acts of charity for the suffering souls. What we give comes back beyond belief. Become their deliverers and they will become your powerful intercessors forever.

      O immense Passion, O profound Wounds, O most bitter Death, O Most Precious Blood, O Sweetness above all sweetness, give them eternal rest. Amen.

       Day Eight

      The mercy of the Lord is praised by the holy souls in heaven who have themselves experienced that infinite mercy. What these souls do in heaven, I already will begin to do here on earth. I will praise God for His infinite goodness, and I will strive to bring other souls to know and glorify the inexpressible and incomprehensible mercy of God. (753)

      Reflection: Purgatory is not just doctrinal, it’s also pastoral because it provides hope and healing. All that is part of the Gospel and that’s good news. Pass it on!

      O immense Passion, O profound Wounds, O most bitter Death, O Most Precious Blood, O Sweetness above all sweetness, give them eternal rest. Amen.

       Day Nine

      July 9, 1937. This evening, one of the deceased sisters came and asked me for one day of fasting and to offer all my [spiritual] exercises on that day for her. I answered that I would. (1185) From early morning on the following day, I offered everything for her intention. During Holy Mass, I had a brief experience of her torment. I experienced such intense hunger for God that I seemed to be dying of the desire to become united with Him. This lasted only a short time, but I understood what the longing of the souls in purgatory was like. (1186) This day, my spirit was set aflame with special love for the Eucharist. It seemed to me that I was transformed into a blazing fire. (160)

      Reflection: Even before St. Faustina entered the community, she acquired from her employers the right to attend Mass, go to confession, and visit the sick and dying. Her austere lifestyle included exhaustive fasting.

      To appease God’s anger and obtain His mercy for the sins committed against the Lord, Moses observed a fast for forty days and nights. We’re invited to follow Moses and fast and pray for the relief of the suffering souls. Fasting shows solidarity with them. They’re not alone or forgotten. Fasting also persuades others to help them. Fasting creates a link between the living and the dead. To release the holy souls from the anguish of purgatory, fast for them. This is a perfect act of love to end their anguish. Fasting is a key to God’s heart and mercy!

      O immense Passion, O profound Wounds, O most bitter Death, O Most Precious Blood, O Sweetness above all sweetness, give them eternal rest. Amen.

Catholic Teaching on Fasting

      “The Gospels speak of a time of