Today is All Saints Day when we honor the saints in heaven … including those who we don’t know about. (Reminder: it’s a Holy Day of Obligation.)
Tomorrow is The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, also known as All Soul’s Day … when we pray for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
In fact, in the Catholic Church, the whole month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory, especially our family and friends.
22 years ago next month, my mother died suddenly. At our next family meal as we gathered around the dinner table, my husband added the Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory after our blessing.
May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
I found great comfort praying this as a family. It became part of our standard pre-meal ritual.
I discovered a few yers ago that one of our niece’s in-laws also say this prayer before meals. I think her husband was just as surpised to hear that we say the prayer with our meal blessing too.
In our home, we are still saying the prayer before our meals … 22 years later and counting. Unfortunately we have more family and friends whose souls we pray for now.
This week’s issue of Genuflect focuses on the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Understanding what Purgatory is and how it originated. Why it’s important to pray for the souls in Purgatory … and ways to pray for them. So we can do our part to help all the Holy Souls in Purgatory enter heaven.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
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9 Essential Truths
Purgatory has long been considered one of the most controversial teachings of the Catholic faith. Emily Stimpson says that it’s often misunderstood, but the fact is, the teachings on Purgatory are not that complicated. Here are the 9 essential truths you need to know about Purgatory.
9 Truths about Purgatory: What Catholics Need to Know About the “Anteroom of Heaven” | Catholic Convert
5 Myths About Purgatory
Unfortunately, our understanding of Purgatory is filled with misunderstandings. Here are 5 of the most common myths about Purgatory that people continue to believe … maybe even you!
5 Myths About Purgatory That Too Many People Still Believe (Maybe Even You!) | ChurchPOP
Purgatory Questions
Guy McClung addresses several aspects of Purgatory that are not fully covered by the teachings of the Catholic Church. Like, can the Holy Souls in Purgatory pray on our behalf? Can they pray with us? Here he shares his findings and thoughts.
Pray it Forward, For The Purgatorians | Catholic Stand
Importance of Praying For The Dead
When a loved one dies, we gather together to celebrate her life. We hear people comfort one another by saying that she’s now an angel in heaven. Jennifer Miller reminds us that though this may make us feel better, this sentiment is not in line with our Catholic Doctrine. And, we have an obligation to assist our loved ones to achieve eternal life. She offers 10 ways we can do our part.
The Importance of Praying For The Dead | Blessed is She
10 Ways to Pray For The Dead
Praying for the dead has its origins in Scripture and November in particular is the perfect time for us to do so. If you need a little inspiration, here are 10 ways to pray for your deceased friends and family … and all who have died in Christ.
Ten Ways to Pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory | Catholic Diocese of Dallas
Build a Holy Alliance
Father Richard Heilman explains that our ancestors prayed to saints and for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, building a Holy Alliance of saints and holy souls. It creates a formidable force against the devil. Here’s how you can build your own Holy Alliance to pray for the poor souls in Purgatory as well as the needs of our living loved ones.
The “Very Best” Way to Pray for Holy Souls in Purgatory and Living Loved Ones | Roman Catholic Man
When to Stop Praying?
Some people worry that praying for our dearly departed loved ones may be a waste of time if they weren’t in a state of grace when they died. Or maybe the opposite is true and they’re already in heaven. How do we know who to pray for and how long? Father Daniel Schuster answers these very questions.
Praying for Souls – Even When You Don’t Know if They’re in Purgatory | Relevant Radio
St. Gertrude’s Prayer
Saint Gertrude the Great lived in the 14th Century and began receiving heavenly visions at the age of 25. One famous vision she shared was that of Purgatory. And she was given a prayer by Jesus for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. It’s said that 1,000 souls are released from purgatory by praying this prayer with the heart!
Pray St. Gertrude The Great’s Powerful Prayer For The Holy Souls in Purgatory | Aleteia
Meditating on Your Death
Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble believes that meditating about death is a “hope-filled practice.” She has a Twitter (now called X) project where she shares daily meditations on death with the hashtag #MementoMori. Here’s why she wants you to think about your own death.
Memento Mori – Why This Religious Sister Wants You to Think About Your Death | Catholic News Agency
Proving Purgatory
Did you know there is a museum not far from the Vatican that is dedicated to proving that Purgatory exists … and that we need to pray for our departed loved ones? It’s The Museum of the Souls of Purgatory and it holds a collection of physical evidence purported to prove Purgatory’s existence. Read the fascinating story of how it came about and some of the artifacts.
Eerie Messages From The Dead at The Museum of The Souls of Purgatory | Aleteia
History of All Souls Day
Aside from praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory throughout the month of November, we also have All Soul’s Day. Just how did it come to be? Here’s a brief history.
A Short History of All Souls Day | Catholic365
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