My Life In Prayer 31 Day Purgatorian Novena FIRST DAY --PRAYERS FOR THE HOLY SOULS

FIRST DAY --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 the earth, the souls in Purgatory- are members of one great family. By this "bond of perfection" which unites the Suffering and the Triumphant Church with the Militant Church upon the earth, incorporating them into one body, mutual charity becomes an obligation. This reciprocal love, being the duty of all men, renders it imperative that all should pray for one another, for in this general prayer, offered mutually, Christian charity is most beautifully and eloquently expressed.

From this general obligation we derive the special duty to pray for the suffering souls in Purgatory, who are unable in their extreme distress to do aught for their own relief. It has always been the belief of holy Church, that the faithful, united in the Communion of the Saints, can mutually assist each other. As the Saints in Heaven pray for us, so must we also offer our petitions for the suffering souls in Purgatory, that God in his goodness and mercy, may mitigate and shorten their punishment, and hasten their entrance into heaven. It is the doctrine of the Church that the faithful upon the earth are really able to relieve the temporal punishment of the holy souls in Purgatory. "In this" says the Roman Catechism, "the supreme goodness and mercy of God deserve our grateful acknowledgement and praise, that He has granted to our frailty the privilege that one may satisfy for another."

Prayer: O Lord, Jesus Christ, Thou who hast said, "Where there are two or three gath­ered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them," (Matth. xviii. 20) look merci­fully upon Thy holy Church, who implores Thy clemency in behalf of her suffering members. End their intense pain and open unto them the portals of the heavenly Jerusalem that they may praise and bless Thee forever and ever. Amen.

Special Intercession: Pray for those who, during the course of their earthly lives, did most to relieve the souls in Purgatory.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them; may they rest in peace. Amen.
(300 days indulgence each time. Say three times.)

(No. 536)

Practice: Attend the public devotion for the suffering souls.

Invocation: My Jesus, mercy! *(300 days indulgence every time for the souls in Purgatory.) (No. 55)