Holy Souls
As a kid, I always thought that there was only Heaven and Hell. If we do well and follow God’s law, we would go to Heaven and if we did otherwise we would be condemn to Hell. On the other hand, Purgatory was a white empty space where we just go for awhile until we meet God. That has been my thought for a very long time, just until a few years ago, at a confirmation class session on Hell and Purgatory. That was when I realize what and why we go to Purgatory for real.
What is PURGATORY?
Diagram to show life after death |
ABOUT PURGATORY
What does the SOUL go through is PURGATORY?
St. Faustina |
St.
Faustina in her diary explains of her vision of Purgatory:
" I saw my Guardian Angel, who ordered me to follow him. In a moment I was in a misty place full of fire in which there was a great crowd of suffering souls. They were praying fervently, but to no avail, for themselves; only we can come to their aid. The flames, which were burning them, did not touch me at all. My Guardian Angel did not leave me for an instant. I asked these souls what their greatest suffering was. They answered me in one voice that their greatest torment was longing for God. I saw Our Lady visiting the souls in Purgatory. The souls call Her “The Star of the Sea”. She brings them refreshment. I wanted to talk with them some more, but my Guardian Angel beckoned me to leave. We went out of that prison of suffering. [I heard an interior voice which said] ‘My mercy does not want this, but justice demands it. Since that time, I am in closer communion with the suffering souls.’” (Diary, 20)
Saint Faustina Visit Purgatory with Her Guardian Angel
St. Catherine of Genoa |
St.Catherine of Genoa’s mystical experience of Purgatory:
“No tongue can tell nor explain, no mind understand, the grievousness of Purgatory. But I, though I see that there is in Purgatory as much pain as in Hell, yet see the soul which has the least stain of imperfection accepting Purgatory, as I have said, as though it were a mercy, and holding its pains of no account as compared with the least stain which hinders a soul in its love.
“I seem to see that the pain which souls in Purgatory endure because of whatever in them displeases God, that is what they have fully done against His so great goodness, is greater than any other pain they feel in Purgatory. And this is because, being in grace, they see the truth and the grievousness of the hindrance which stays them from drawing near to God.” (Treatise on Purgatory)
“No tongue can tell nor explain, no mind understand, the grievousness of Purgatory. But I, though I see that there is in Purgatory as much pain as in Hell, yet see the soul which has the least stain of imperfection accepting Purgatory, as I have said, as though it were a mercy, and holding its pains of no account as compared with the least stain which hinders a soul in its love.
“I seem to see that the pain which souls in Purgatory endure because of whatever in them displeases God, that is what they have fully done against His so great goodness, is greater than any other pain they feel in Purgatory. And this is because, being in grace, they see the truth and the grievousness of the hindrance which stays them from drawing near to God.” (Treatise on Purgatory)
What do WE do for the Souls in Purgatory?
St. Gertrude the Great |
While they are there, the prayers offered up by them does not apply to them but to us on Earth. They cannot pray for themselves because they have ignored God during their life. So, it is our prayers that will help them. It is very important for us to prayer for the Souls in Purgatory.
Our Lord told Saint Gertrude the Great that the Chaplet of the Holy Souls would release 1,000 souls each time it is said.
CHAPLET OF THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY
Guide on how to pray the Chaplet |
SIX ways to HELP the SOULS in PURGATORY
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