The Litany of Saint Joseph

 An indulgence of 5 years. A plenary indulgence once a month under…

"Honor thy father, and forget not the groanings of thy mother. Remember that hadst not been born but through them, and make a return to them; as they have done for thee." (Eccl. vii. 29-30)



Next to God, our parents are our greatest benefactors, entitled to most tender love and gratitude, which is the sacred duty of every child. This duty does not end with this life; it…

Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus…

Besides the general duty imposed upon us by the divine law of charity, there is a special duty incumbent upon everyone to assist particular souls. This duty devolves upon us in consequence of the personal relations with such souls during their earthly career; for, whatever be the condition of man in life, he will have among the souls, departed, who may be suffering in Purgatory, some to…

In regard to pompous displays for the departed, St. Augustine says: "Costly funerals and expensive displays may afford the living some consolation, but are of no benefit to the departed." He adds, however, "Let care be bestowed upon funerals and the erection of monuments; for Holy Writ reckons these among good works. Let all perform these last services for their departed, and…

In bestowing charity upon any person, we are usually guided by the degree of his poverty; but, who is in such great need as he who possesses absolutely nothing, owes a heavy debt, is unable to labor or gain any merit or even to beg, and must nevertheless suffer the most excruciating torments until the last farthing has been paid? There is a universal law to assist the needy, which…

Concerning the duration of Purgatory, the Church simply tells us it is not a place of eternal pain, but will end at last judgment; neither are we informed of the length of time required for the purification of a soul.

According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the soul, to be reunited to her Creator in Heaven, must be in the state of primitive innocence which adorned her when she…

The Church has given no decision regarding the word "fire" in relation to Purgatory; but according to Theologians and Doctors of the Church. we are to understand a material fire. Concerning this, Bishop Colmar of Mayence, a great friend of the holy souls, writes: "Besides being deprived of the vision of God, the souls in Purgatory must also endure the tortures of a fire, the…

The Holy Father exhorts priests to say this prayer as often as possible, as a simple exorcism to curb the power of the devil and preventing him from doing harm. The faithful may also say it in their own name, for the same purpose, as any approved prayer. It is recommended whenever action of the devil is suspected, causing malice in men, violent temptations, and even storms and various calamities. It could…

The souls in Purgatory have entered into the realm of Divine Justice. The penance and satisfaction due for their faults must be made, either by the pain of Purgatory itself, or by the suffrages of the faithful, consisting in prayer, good works, and the spiritual treasure of indulgences bestowed upon them; for the suffering souls can no longer merit, and are entirely unable to assist…

The soul departed, before the judgment seat of God, is enlightened with a perfect knowledge of the purity and sanctity of her Divine Judge, clearly perceiving the stains with which she is sullied, and her extreme unworthiness of union with God. The thought that I have offended God who is eternal beauty and perfection; I am not yet worthy to appear before the face of the Lord, who…

The spiritual suffering, or pain of loss, is the greatest pain of Purgatory, according to the Fathers of the Church. No one can comprehend the great suffering of a soul departed, which, in all its ardent desire for the highest and only good, sees itself ever repulsed as an object of God's avenging justice.



St. Alphonsus writes:

"Far greater than the pain of…

The sufferings of Purgatory are twofold – the pain of loss, and the torture of the senses; both in proportion to temporal punishment unremitted. Having committed sin, the soul has turned away from God, thus increasing the pain of loss, or according to our ideas, God departs from that soul and deprives her of His beatific vision. By sin, the soul has been attached to creatures,…

The judgments of God are very different from the judgments of men. For: "My thoughts are not your thoughts; nor your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are exalted above the earth, so are My ways exalted above your ways, and My thoughts above your thoughts." (Is.lv 8-9)



Though the judgments of God are severe, they are ever just. "Unto whomsoever much is…

The destiny awaiting us at death is not the same for all men: "He will render to every man according to his works."(Matt. xvi 27) Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory are the three places into which the souls of the departed are received. Heaven is the happy destination of perfectly pure and holy souls only; Hell the final doom of the reprobate; Purgatory, temporarily for the just, who are…

From the Manual of the Purgatorian Society:

ANNIVERSARY OF “ALL-SOULS.”



The anniversary of "All-Souls" was instituted by the Church as a day of special prayer for all the faithful departed…

PRAYERS FOR THE HOLY SOULS

One of the most consoling doctrines of the Catholic Church is that of the Communion of Saints. All men-the saints in Heaven, we upon earth, the souls in Purgatory- are members of one great family. By this "bond of perfection" which unites the Suffering and Triumphant Church…