'More souls of the dead than the living climb this mountain to attend my Masses and seek my prayers.' (Padre Pio)
Padre Pio had a very special relationship with the Holy Souls..indeed such was the relationship that they were his frequent visitors..and led him to make the statements quoted above.
Padre Pio said "We must pray for the Souls in Purgatory. It is unbelievable, what they can do for our spiritual good, out of gratitude they have towards those on earth who remember to pray for them."
The existence of Purgatory or a 'purifying process' after death is a Catholic Dogma of the Faith which means every Catholic must believe in order to remain a Catholic. The Church does not insist that it is a place, but may be a process only. It is not a destination ~ but a sort of passage through which all who must experience it, will eventually be purified enough to see God face to face.
It's understood that the souls undergoing this purification may benefit from the prayers of the living, but that the opportunity of grace to pray for their own relief has passed.
Just as a prisoner who awaits his trial - may be released from jail by a friend who pays the cost of his bail. So we may help to gain the release of a holy soul from the prison of his suffering. It's considered a great act of spiritual mercy by the Church to pray for the dead.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
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 (1439) and Trent (1563). The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:
"But if someone's work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire." (I Cor 3:15)
SPIRITUAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE HOLY SOULS:
1) Offer up the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass for souls
2) Offer up the Daily Rosary that Our Lady of Fatima asked of us.
3) The Way of the Cross ~ It was revealed to a chosen soul that when one offers up the stations of the cross for the holy souls in Purgatory he obtains the release of 10,000 souls!
4) The Holy Wounds of Christ
5) The Holy Face prayers and devotions of reparation
6) Praying many short indulgenced prayers:
'Jesus, Mary, I love You, save souls.'
(Each time this simple aspiration is said, a soul is released from Purgatory.)
"Eternal Rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them, may they rest in peace. Amen."
"May the Divine assistance remain always with us, and may the souls of the faithful departed through the Mercy of God; rest in peace. Amen."
7) Offer up our daily actions, sacrifices and fasts united to Jesus' life and suffering here on earth.
8) Offer up our daily sufferings and pains to relieve theirs.
9) Spread devotion to the Holy Souls
10) Give Alms on behalf of the Holy Souls
11) Offer The Heroic Act in favor of the Holy Souls
12) Join the Association of the Holy Souls:
The Assoc. of the Holy Souls
Dominican Nuns of the
Perpetual Rosary,
Monastery Pius XII
Rua do Rosa'rio, 1
Fatima, Portugal
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