Novena for the relief of the poor souls in purgatory z I i May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved. 100 day8 ind NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF The Poor Souls in Purgatory. BY A MISSIONARY OF THE SACRED HEART. He who stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself, and shall not be heard. (ProverD. XXI, 13.) MILWAUKEE: HOFFMANN BROTHERS CO. Printers to the Holy Apostolic See. / APPROBATION. Green Bay, Wis., Sept. 6, 1887. Rev. J. F. Durin, Marinette; Rev. and Dear Father: I have read yonr little book : “Novena for the relief of the Poor Souls in Purgatory,”' with great interest, and must confess that I have been much edified by it. In my belief it will do much good and will be of great value for the living and the dead, and therefore I recommend it most sincerely. Thanking you for the work you have undertaken for the benefit of the poor and too often forgotten Souls in Purgatory, and wish- ing you God’s blessing in your undertaking, I remain yours in Christ, N. KERSTEN, V. G. COPYRIGHT 1887, by Hoffmann Brothers. All Rights Reserved. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved. 100 (lavs ind. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, pray for us. 100 days ind. St. Joseph, Friend of the Sacred Heart, pray for us. 100 days ind. NOVENA For the relief of the Poor Souls in Purgatory. TO THE PIOUS READER. We present this small treatise to pious persons, entreating them to peruse it. n | Long ago the Holy Ghost said : “It is holy and wholesome to pray for the dead. 1 ' Our Lord shed tears in seeing the tomb of Lazarus, and the Church, well ac- quainted writh the feelings of her Divine founder, is incessantly recommending charity for the souls suffering in Purga- tory. One of her eminent doctors, St. Thomas of Aquinas, has said that : “Of “all prayers , the most meritorious , the most “acceptable to God , are prayers for the “dead , because they imply all the works of “charity , both c-orporal and spiritual. 1 ' 6 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF But there are many people unconscious of the fact, that charity for the “Poor Souls” is profitable to the living as well as to the dead. It is the teaching of the most learned theologians, viz : St. Ligor- ius, Sylvius, Bellarmin, Bonacina and Suarez. They say that “ Though the Souls u in Purgatory are unable to pray or merit ‘ for themselves , they can obtain many “favors for those who pray for them on “earth.” Let us refer to Bellarmin : “the “souls in Purgatory , says he, can pray for “those, who address to them their petitions , “and obtain from God help , forgiveness , “assistance against temptations , and all “favors, both temporal and spiritual, which “they may need.” Many Saints have experienced this wonderful assistance. St. Catharina oe Bologna assured her Sisters that : “Shf “obtained many favors by the prayers of “the holy Souls in Purgatory, ivhich she “had asked in vain through the intercession “of the Saints.” St. Teresa affirms that : “She always obtained the favors which she “asked from God, through the intercession “of poor Soids.” We read also in the book of St. Bridget’s Revelations that : THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 7 “Being one day conducted by an Angel “into Purgatory , she heard a soul saying : “ 0 Lord , vouchsafe a reiuard those who “assist us ! return hundredfold blessings to u those who help us and introduce • us into u the light of heaven. ” St. Leonard of Port Maurice emphatically affirms that : u The Blessed souls delivered by our “prayers , will come down jrom Heaven to “assist us in our temporal and spiritual “affairs.” The Venerable Cure d’Ars, replying to a priest, said : “If one knew “what we may obtain from God by the “intercession of Poor Souls, they would “not be so much abandoned. Let us pray “a great deal for them , they will pray “for us.” Blessed Margaret Mary Alacoque had a special devotion for the Souls in Purga- tory and has often accepted the charge of suffering for them. Therefore she was favored wdth the apparition of many souls going to Heaven. “Would that you “knew , she said, how my soul was replen- “ished with joy , when speaking to those “souls, and seeing them immerged in glory “as in a deep ocean. As I requested them “to pray for you , they replied: An un- 8 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF “grateful soul is not to be found in “Heaven!” No, we cannot be deceived! If we have an ardent charity, a sincere piety, a true devotedness for the poor souls, we will be favored with their pro- tection. Let us try it ! When we are in trouble, when we long for a favor, let us perform some pious or charitable work for the relief of the “Poor Souls.” They will be grateful, they will plead for us, and pre- sent our requests to the Eternal Father, who loves them. May God bless this humble work ! May He deign to enkindle generous hearts with zeal for the “Poor Souls.” Blessed are the merciful , because they will obtain mercy ! , . — THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 9 NOVENA For the Relief of the Poor Souls in Purgatory. FIRST DAY. Existence of Purgatory. Preparatory Prayer : Act of Faith : My God, I believe in Thee, because Thou art Truth itself ; I firmly believe the truths revealed to the Church. Act of Hope : My God, I hope in Thee, because Thou art infinitely good. Act of Charity : My God, I love Thee with all my heart, and above all things, because Thou art infinitely per- fect ; and I love my neighbor as myself, for the love of Thee. Indulgence 7 years, 7 quarantines, each time. Meditation : There is a place for the purification of souls wrhich, after death, are yet stained with venial sins, or have not yet entirety satisfied for their par- doned sins. The Holy Catholic Church, teaches it. I believe it firmly. By the light of the flames of Purgatory, I under- 10 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF stand better Thy Holiness, Thy Justice, Thy Mercy, 0 my God ! “Who shall as- cend into the mountain of the Lord ? or who shall stand in His holy place? The innocent in hands, and clean of heart.” (Ps. 23.) “There shall not enter into Heaven anything defiled.” (Apoc., 21.) For thou art Holy ! Holy ! Hoty ! 0 Lord ! Inspire my soul with the horror of sin ! Grant me the grace to atone for my faults here below ! Thou art just , 0 Lord , and your judgments are right. Who will dare to say : Do not condemn me f Why judgest Thou me so f (Job. 10). Against Thee I have sinned , and have done evil before Thee. (Ps., 50.) Ihave deserved eternal punishment, but Thy mercy will follow me—it will follow me into the depths of death, and I will be spared. Oh, Purgatory ! where reigns Hope ! There I will say with the Prophet : When I was in distress Thou hast enlarged me! (Ps’, 4.) If there were no Purgatory, where would so many lazy, negligent immortified souls go? Blessed be God ’ the Father of mercies, and the God of all, THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 11 comfort , ivho comforteth us in all our tribu- lation! (II. Cor., 1.) Practice : To pray the Divine Heart of Jesus that He deign to enkindle many souls with an ardent charity for the souls in Purgatory. Resolution : Every day of my life I will pray or do some good work for the “Poor Souls.” Example : It is related in the Acts of St. Perpetua, martyr, that, being thrown into prison, she was favored with a vision. She saw her young brother, Dinocrates, in a dark place. He was surrounded by flames, thirsty, his face was ugly, pale, covered with an ulcer, which caused his death, when seven years old. She prayed fervently for him during seven days, and then he appeared to her in a very different condition. He was bright, clothed with a beautiful white dress, and there was no ulcer on his face. She understood that he had been delivered. Prayer : De Profundis, page 38. Let us pray for our departed parents: 0 God, who has commanded to honor our Father and Mother, have pity on them, deliver them from the pains, which 12 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF they' have deserved, and grant that I may see them in the glory of Heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Grant to them eternal rest, 0 Lord ! May perpetual light shine upon them ! May they rest in peace. Amen. THE SECOND DAY. Pains of Purgatory. Preparatory Prayer : As on the first day. Page 9. Meditation: Let us go with our Guar- dian Angel to Purgatory, to that place where the Divine Justice purifies souls before they are admitted into Heaven. There we will meet again our parents and our friends. Had this devotion no other advantage than that of reminding us of our dear departed ones, we should be grateful to God for such a consolation. Oh, my father ! Oh, my mother ! Oh, brothers ! Oh, sisters ! Oh, friends ! I see you amidst those avenging flames, suffering, imploring my assistance ! I had forgotten you ! What do you suffer, be- loved souls? What shall I do to deliver you ? •i*' -'-. ’t' *!?_ . I THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 13 Our pains, they reply, are beyond de- scription. When separated from our body, we saw the face of God, our Su- preme Good, the Infinite Perfection. Then would we rush into His bosom, but we were driven back by His Justice, we were banished ! .Oh, no ! on earth below you will never understand our pain, our grief, because we are separated from God! Your troubles, your sorrows, are the mere shadow of our affliction. But we suffer through our fault. If we could return to our former place on earth, we would be glad to accept the hardest mortifications in exchange for Purgatory. Have pity on me, have pity on me , at least you , my friends , because the hand of the Lord hath touched me! (Job, 19.) Appease the Divine Justice with your good works, pay our debts, hasten the day wh^n we shall enter into Heaven, and then we will re- turn our gratitude forever. Practice: Encourage all the works established for the relief of the souls in Purgatory. Resolution : At night, in the exam- ination of conscience, I will question my- 14 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF self : What have you done to-day for the relief of poor souls? Example; The soul of a pious lady, deceased at Luxembourg, appeared, on All Saints’ Lay, to a young girl of great piety, to beg the assistance of her prayers. When the latter was going to church, when approaching the holy rails, she was followed by the soul. Out of the church it could not be seen. As the young girl inquired the reason of it, she was an- swered: “You cannot understand how “painful it is to be away from God. I am “attracted to God by impetuous trans- ports, by intolerable anxiety, and I am “condemned to live far away from Him. “My sorrow is so intense that the ardor “of fire, which surrounds me, is a lesser “suffering. To soothe my pain, God, in “His mercy,*has allowed me to come into “this church and to adore Him, veiled “under the Host, until I might see Him “face to face in Heaven.” She entreated the young girl to pray for her deliverance. It was done with so much fervor, that, on the 10th of December, the soul appeared, as bright as the sun, going to Heaven. Prayer : De Profundis, page 38. THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 15 Let us pray for our benefactors and friends: O God, Who bestowest for- giveness and salvation, we address Th}T clemency, that, through the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary and of all the Saints, the souls of our departed brethren, relatives and benefactors, may be admitted into the eternal glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Grant them eternal rest, 0 Lord! May perpetual light shine upon them ! May they rest in peace ! Amen. THE THIRD DAY. The Pain of Loss. Preparatory Prayers : As on the first day, page 9. Meditation : During their long cap- tivity, God’s people, sitting on the shores of the Euphrates, moaned and cried in remembering Sion. So the souls in Pur- gatory, plaintive and doleful, long for the joys of the Heavenly mansion. They have had a glimpse of its glory and happiness, and because they were too much attached to earthly pleasures, they will be deprived, 16 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF perhaps for a long time, of the celestial joys. They remember all the negligence of their former life, which now obstructs their way to Heaven. What sorrows! what remorses ! because they have pre- ferred a moment of pleasure to the enjoy- ment of Heaven. Then the poor desolate souls accuse themselves, saying, with the prophet : I know my iniquity , and my sin is always before me. (Ps. 50.) As God has granted us the power of paying the debts of the “poor souls” with our own works, let us appreciate this im- mense advantage. A noble heart should be delighted in relieving the poor, in con- soling the afflicted, in bringing peace and happiness to those who suffer. Such is the privilege of those who assist the souls suffering in Purgatory, because they de- liver them from the hardest captivity and they open to them the gates of Heaven. Moreover our charitable deeds for the souls will secure to us the gratitude of God himself. “ Whenf said our Lord to His holy servant Gertrud, “a soul is liber- ated by your prayers , I accept it , as if I had been myself liberated from captivity , THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 17 and I will assuredly reward you according to the abundance of my mercy.” Practice : Perform to-day an act of mortification or obedience for the relief of the “poor souls.” Resolution : Be faithful in little things. Everything is great which is done for the glory of God. Example : At the close of September, 1870, there died at GH , France, a banker renowned for his piety and char- ity. By divine permission his soul ap- peared to his daughter, a member of a sisterhood in Belgium, to implore the assistance of her prayers. At first he was seen surrounded by flames, saying : Have pity on your father , my child ! If Purgatory were known , everyone would strive to escape its torments.” Sometimes he loudly com- plained : I thirst ! I thirst ! Fervent prayers were offered for him at the convent, and he appeared again, enveloped in a dark cloud, but free of fire. He said to his daughter : “It seems that I “am here during a century. My great suffer- “ing now is the thirst for the vision of God “ and the enjoyment of His presence. I rush “to Him and I am incessantly repulsed into 18 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF “the abyss , because I have not yet paid all my u debt to the Divine Justice.” Prayers were continued, and on Christmas night he was seen in a halo of light, and a ddressing his daughter, said : 11My pains are over , I owe this favor to the prayers offered for me. I come to thank you and your community. I will not forget you in Heaven.” Prayer : De Profundis, page 38. Let us pray for Bishops and Priests de- ceased : 0 God, who has deigned to raise to the Pontifical or sacerdotal dignity Thy servants N. N., grant us the grace of enjoying with them eternal felicity. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Give them eternal rest, 0 Lord ! May perpetual light shine upon them ! May they rest in peace ! Amen. THE FOURTH DAY. The Pain of Fire. Preparatory Prayer : As on the first day, page 9. Meditation : Souls in Purgatory are tormented by fire. Though the Church has not yet pronounced any decision on THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 19 th is point, it is the opinion of its doctors, and it would be imprudent to be opposed to their teaching. St. Augustine has said that : “ There is no difference between thefire of hell and that ofPurgatory, but in the dura- tion.” St. Thomas affirms that: u Thetor- “ment of fire alone, endured in Purgatory, “exceeds all the torments inflicted on the “martyrs.” Fire! Fire! Everybody shudders at this word: To be plunged into fire, in a fire penetrating all the substance of the being! What terrible torment! Who could take a burning coal in his hand and hold it but a minute? The fire of Purga- tory is acting on the soul itself and its faculties. The intelligence, the memory, seem to be plunged into it. The fire which we are accustomed to see and to use is nothing if we compare it with the avenging fire of Purgatory. There the Divine Justice is exercising its force to purify souls and to destroy the stain of sin! When a fire is raging, everybody is ex- cited. The people rush to the spot and everyone tries to save those who are al- ready surrounded by the terrible element. 20 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF • Why are we unmoved at the sight of so many souls, who claim our assistance? We are tormented in this fire! Do jiot abandon us , 0 friends ! Practice: Let us pray our Lord to- day to apply the merit of His death on the Cross to the Souls in Purgatory. Resolution: I will observe the abstin- ence and fast prescribed by the Church, unless prevented by sickness. Example : Two Spanish monks, bound together by a long and warm friendship, agreed that: if God would allow it, the one who should die first, would appear to the other to make known his condition in the other world. Some time later, one of them died and appeared to his friend, saying : “Iam saved , but condemned to suffer in Purgatory. It is impossible to describe such torments. Will you allow me to give you a sensible demQnstration?” Then he placed his hand on the table and imprinted on it a mark as deep as if it has been made by a red-hot iron. This table was pre- served at Zamora (Spain) up to within the last century. Prayer: De Profundis, page 38. Let us pray for a deceased man : Hear, THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 21 O Lord, the prayers, which we address to Thy mercy, and grant us that the soul of Thy servant N. . . . , which is gone into another world, be received in the abode of light and happiness to enjoy the feli- city of the Saints. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Hive them eternal rest, 0 Lord ! May perpetual light shine upon them ! May they rest in peace ! Amen. THE FIFTH DAY. Duration of Purgatory. Preparatory Prayer : As on the first day. Page 9. Meditation : How long do the pains last in Purgatory ? Nobody knows it. Grod has allowed some souls to appear to their freinds and benefactors to announce their departure for Heaven, but it seldom hap- pened, and we cannot draw any conclusion from such cases. The period of confine- ment in Purgatory is probably much longer than we are inclined to think. We find by the Revelations of Sister Fran- cesca of Pampeluno that : The majority of the souls in Purgatory, with whose 22 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF sufferings she was made acquainted, were detained there for a period offrom thirty to sixty years, and many ofthem were holy Carmelites; what then must he the fate of the poor worldlings ! Father Faber, com- menting on this subject, says very justly: “ We are apt to leave off too soon praying for our parents , friends or relatives , imagining with a foolish and unlightened esteem for the holiness of their livesfhat they are freed from Purgatory much sooner than they really are!” Let us consider the purity which is nec- essary to a soul, before being admitted into the presence of God! Let us remember the multitude of our venial sins, and see what light penance we have done for them. On the day of judgement the book of our deeds will be opened : Liber scriptuspro- feretur in quo totum continetur; and then we will be obliged to pay to the last farthing. How guilty we are in abandoning so easily the souls who need our assistance so much! The saints are wiser. St. Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, was dead for twenty years, and she was still remem- bered by her son in the holy sacrifice. St. Ambrosius promised solemnly and pub- THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 23 licly to pray, during his entire life, for the soul of Theodosius the Great. And supposing that we have delivered the souls of our relatives and friends, have we emptied the prison of Purgatory? How many poor abandoned souls linger in such horrible pains, imploring the as- sistance of some charitable heart. Cardi- nal Bellarmin has affirmed that: “Some souls would suffer in Purgatory till the day ofjudgment, if they were not relieved by the •prayers of the Church.” Therefore she authorizes the foundation of Masses to be said in perpetuity. Practice: Would it not be a holy thonght to form, among relatives and friends, an association of seven members, so that each one would employ a day of the week for the relief of the uPoor Souls.” Resolution: Each time I hear the clock strike, I will say : May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen. Example: Sister Denis, one of the first members of the order of the Visitation, was a zealous promoter of the devotion to the “poor souls.” It was revealed to her that a prince, one of her relatives, had 24 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF been condemned to suffer in Purgatory until the day of judgment. She offered herself as a victim for the relief of this soul. On her death-bed she said to the mother-superior that she had obtained for the poor soul the remittance of some hours of his pains. As the superior won- dered at this fact, she replied: 0 Mother time in Purgatory is not counted as on earth , Years passed here below in sorrow , inpoverty, in sickness , in suffering , are nothing , if we compare them with one hour in Purgatory ! Prayer: De Profundis, page 38. Let us pray for a deceased woman : W e humbly request Thee, 0 Lord, to grant mercy to the soul ofThy servant N . . . . , in order that, being delivered from the contagion of sin, she may enter into eter- nal salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Grant her eternal rest, 0 Lord! May perpetual light shine upon her! May she rest in peace. Amen. c\&* '..ViLa,*, iijui ^ ' - ,'nSiJ THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 25 THE SIXTH DAY. Obligation of Assisting the “Poor Souls.’’ Preparatory Prayer: As on the first day. Page 9. Meditation : The souls in Purgatory cannot help themselves, they are unable to shorten their captivity. This reason alone should urge us to come to their assistance. After death, there is no more place to mercy, the time for justice commences. The soul is no longer free to choose be- tween good and evil, therefore she cannot get any merit, and her sufferings are ac- counted only as a payment for her debts. Alas ! to be condemned to such sufferings, to be afflicted perhaps during centuries ! How sad it is for those poor souls ! Could we see an unfortunate man, lying on the road, wounded, bleeding, and would we pass and abandon him ! We hold the key of a prison crowded with prisoners; they crave for liberty and will we leave them in their pitiable situation! So we have received from the mercy of God the privilege of liberating the souls detained 26 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF in Purgatory* We may say that we are the Providence of the dead, and we alone, we may open the gates of Heaven to the souls who are longing for their deliver- ance. It is the teaching of the Church, that the prayer of the living can be ap- plied to the souls in Purgatory. As our prayers ascend to Heaven, graces come down as a refreshing shower, bringing to the souls forgiveness, liberty and glory. The supplications of Mary and Martha obtained the resurrection of Lazarus. Let us address our prayers to the Heart of Jesus, and we will deliver from their pains our dear departed ones. Shall we not be guilty if we do not employ our credit in favor of the unfortunate prisoners of Pur- gatory ? Practice : St. John Chrysostom re- commended to every Christian family to have a box at some convenient place in the house, and to put into it pennies, which will be used to have Masses said for the “poor souls.” Resolution : Pray to-day for the most abandoned souls. Example : At the Benedictine monas- teries,when one ofthe monks dies, his ordi- THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. t 27 nary meals are distributed to the poor during thirty days. In the year 830, when a terrible plague was raging, many religi- ous died. The abbot Rabanus Maurus gave the order to distribute the alms, ac- cording to the ancient usage, but the pro- curator did not obey. One night the stingy monk, having been delayed by his work, to shorten his way to his cell, passed through the Chapter room. There he was surrounded by all the monks recently dead, who whipped him, leaving him half dead on the floor. Early the next morn- ing he was found by the religious, who were going to the chapel. He related the event, made his confession, received the last rites and died two days afterwards. Prayer: De Profundis, page 38. Let us pray: We humbly beseech Thee, 0 Lord, to release the souls of Thy ser- vants, in order that they may obtain the glory of the resurrection and that they may be joined to the saints and elect in Heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Grant them eternal rest, 0 Lord ! May perpetual light shine upon them ! May they rest in peace. Amen. 28 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF THE SEVENTH DAY. Cruelty of those who Abandon the “Poor Souls.” Preparatory Prayer : As on the first day. Page 9. Meditation: Our Lord reproved the cruelty of the rich man, who refused even the crumbs of his table to poor Lazarus, while he himself was feasting sumptu- ously every day. Are they not imitating the wicked rich, who stand unmoved, seeing the sufferings of the “Poor Souls”? Those unfortunates, who appeal to our compassion, are not strangers. Among them there are our parents, our benefac- tors, our friends. Not long ago, they were living among us, in the same house. We bear their names, we inherited • their lands; and we forget them ! We abandon them ! They may say with Job : My kinsmen have forsaken me , and they that knew me have forgotten me. They that dwell in my house , and my maid servants , have counted me as a stranger; and I have been like an alien in their eyes. (Job, xix, 14.) To forget the dead is a crime. Solemn promises were made at the death bed. A THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 29 child has said to his father and to his mother dying: I will never forget you ! But where is the sign of this remembrance ? Does it pray for them ? Perhaps a vague, shadowy remembrance of the departed / comes to its mind, but where is the profit to the souls. Useless and vain compassion ! Empty love ! Where are the works, alms and holy masses to assist, to relieve, to deliver the poor souls ? Those who forget them will also be aban- doned! “With what measure you mete , it shall be measured to you again.” (St. Math., vii., 27.) Practice: After the Evening Angelus say: Our Father and Hail Mary, once; or, the De Profundis, as a daily tribute to the “ Poor Souls.’ 7 Resolution: I will endeavor to propa- gate devotion to the “poor souls.” Example: A poor servant girl had the pious custom of having a mass said ever\^ month for the souls in Purgatory, and she prayed especially for the soul that was nearest to Heaven. After a long, pro- tracted illness, she was leaving the hos- pital, and setting out in search of a place. On her way she passed a church, and, re- 30 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF membering that her monthly mass had not been said yet, she entered the sacristy, requesting the priest to say this mass. When she came out of the church a young man came up to her. He was tall and pale, and of a noble demeanor. “My good girl, 5 ’ he said, “I think you are look- ing for a place.” “Yes,” said the girl somewhat surprised. “Well,” said the young man, “if you go to Mrs. N. (here he named the street and number), I think you will find a good place;” and suddenly he disappeared among the crowd of passers-by. The girl went, found the house, was introduced, and presented her petition. “But,” said the lady of the house, “who could have sent you here? Nobody knows that I need a servant.” Suddenly the girl, looking at the wall, noticed a portrait. “Look here, madam,” said she, pointing to the picture,. “ that is the exact likeness of the man who told me to come here.” At these words the old lady turned pale. “Ah !” said she, “that is the portrait of my son, who died two years ago. My son owes to you his de- liverance. You shall henceforward re- main with me, not as my servant, but as THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 31 my daughter, and we will always pray to- gether for the ‘Poor Souls’ in Purgatory.” Prayer : De Profundis, page 38. Let us pray : May our prayers be profit- able, 0 Lord, to the souls of Thy servants, that, being absolved from their sins, they may have a share in the fruits of redemp- tion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Grant them, 0 Lord, eternal rest ! May perpetual light shine upon them ! May they rest in peace. Amen. THE EIGHTH DAY. The Communion of Saints. Preparatory Prayer : As on the first day. Page 9. Meditation: How grand and consoling is the doctrine ofthe Communion ofSaints! When, in this world, we are struggling for the celestial crown, we assist our brethren in Purgatory, and we are protected by those who are triumphant in Heaven. We form, in reality, but one and the same family, here below, in Purgatory, and in Heaven. If a member of our body is suf- 32 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF fering, all other members come to its as- sistance. God loves the souls in Purga- tory as his dear spouses. He would open to them the gates of Heaven, but there are barriers. Let us present to His justice our prayers, our good works, and the ob- struction will be removed; God will be satisfied. It is often an obligation of justice to pray for the souls, but it is always a duty imposed by charity and by the compassion which we owe to one another. There are in Purgatory souls abandoned even by their parents and their friends, and for whom no one cares. Forgotten is their life, no one thinks %of it any more; forgotten is their name; forgotten is their grave, which is visited no more; forgotten is their soul, which is lingering in the fire of Purgatory. How their pain is increased by such neglect! They may say with the Prophet: I became like a broken vessel , which was thrown aside , and of which no one thinks. Practice: Let us pray often and do some good works for the most abandoned souls. Let us be to them like a father, a mother, a sister, a friend. THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 33 Resolution: To offer the abandon- ment of our Lord Jesus, in His passion, for the most abandoned souls. Example: Catherine of Cortona was hardly eight years old when her father died. One day he appeared to her, wrapped in fire. “My Daughter ” says he “Iwul be plunged in fire till you have done “penance for me” Then the child, with a rare courage, decided to practice the hard- est mortifications, in order to pay the spir- itual debts of her father. She succeeded. Her father appeared again, as bright as a saint, saying: “ God has accepted your suf- frages and your satisfactory works , my “daughter . I am going to Heaven to enjoy u eternal happiness. Do not cease to offer “yourself as a victim for the salvation of suf- fering souls. This is the will of God.” Prayer, De Profundis, page 38. Let us pray for those who rest in the cemetery: O God, by whose mercy the souls of the departed rest in peace, we be- seech Thee to grant to Thy servants, and to all who rest in the Lord, the forgive- ness of their sins, and life everlasting. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 34 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF Grant them, 0 Lord, eternal rest! May perpetual light shine upon them! May they rest in peace! Amen. THE NINTH DAY. Benefit of the Devotion to the “Poor Souls.” Preparatory Prayer: As on the first day. Page 9. Meditation: This Novena is coming to a close. Do we understand the benefits and the consolations derived from devo- tion to the holy souls? Do we need stronger motives to increase our zeal? Then let us consider that: Nothing is more glorious to God, nothing gives more honor to His Holy Name, nothing rejoices His heart more, nothing is more pleasing to Him than charity for the “Poor Souls” To open Heaven to the souls, is to in- crease the number of those who praise and glorify God, the number of hearts that love Him. “Such a work,” says Bourda- loue, “is an apostolate more noble , more meri- torious than the conversion of sinners, and “even of heathen.” How we will please the heart of Jesus, THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 35 who loves the souls redeemed by His blood so much! He would wfillingly come into this world again and offer Himself for their deliverance; but all justice must be accomplished, and the debts of the souls must be paid. Therefore, He has inspired His Church with the practice of praying for the dead every time the Holy Sacrifice is offered. The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Queen of Purgatory. She often goes to Purga- tory to visit and to console the souls, many of whom accompany her when she returns to Heaven. Our Blessed Mother will be gratified when we contribute to the relief of those souls. St. Joseph, the patron of a happy death, will also present our requests to the Lord, wTho has been called his son. He will re- pay us generously, if we come to the res- cue of the suffering souls. What joy among the saints in Heaven when they will see another elect—a soul coming out of Purgatory ! Her Guardian Angel, the Holy Patron, will welcome and congratulate her! It will be a great joy in Heaven. The saints know the bene- 36 Noyena for the relief of factors of the souls, and they will, in re- turn, protect them. We have already said that the souls in Purgatory will remember their benefac- tors . No, they cannot forget them ! They will attentively provide for them in needs both temporal and spiritual. They will protect us and defend us in troubles, in dangers, in temptations. On our death- bed they will surround us. At the tri- bunal of God they will be our advocates: and, if we are cast into Purgatory, they will come to visit us, to console us, until the day of our entrance into a glorious eternity. Practice: Give alms to the poor; in- sure your soul with prayers and good deeds against the fire of Purgatory. Money will be useless at the hour of death, but your good works will follow you. Resolution: I will never miss the opportunity of assisting the “Poor Souls.” Example: A pious lady was praying for the recovery of her health. She had exhausted every means and made novenas after novenas to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to St. Joseph, etc., without success. But THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 37 she was adviced to commence novenas for the relief of the Poor Souls in Purgatory. She did so, and recovered entirely. She was.accustomed to say: “All that I ask through the intercession of Poor Souls I obtain easily. With them I am never dis- couraged, and I hope against hope.” Prayer: De Profundis, page 38. Let us pray for all the faithful departed: 0 God, Creator and Redemptor of all men, we beseech Thee to grant to the souls of Thy servants the remission of their sins, so that by our prayers they may obtain the endulgence for which they long. O Lord who reigns and lives, world with- out end. Amen. Grant them. 0 Lord, eternal rest! May perpetual light shine upon' them! May they rest in peace! Amen. The Practice of this novena is espe- cially and earnestly recommended to those who mourn the death of their parents and friends. They should commence it on the very day of the death of the person, and continue it during the nine following days. It will be a consolation for them and a relief for the dear departed one. 38 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF DE FROFUNDIS. De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine: Domine, exaudi vocem meam. Fiant aures tuae intendentes : in vocem deprecationis meae. Si iniquitates observaveris, Domine: Do- mine, quis sustinebit? Quia apud te propitiatio est; et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine. Sustinuit anima mea in verbo ejus ; spe- ravit anima mea in Domine. A custodia matutina usque ad noctem, speret Israel in Domino. Quia apud Dominum misericordia ; et copiosa apud eum redemptio. Et ipse redimet Israel, ex omnibus iniqui- tatibus ejus. Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine! Et lux perpetua luceat eis. A porta inferi THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 39 DE PROFUNDIS. Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, 0 Lord! Lord hear my voice. Let Thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. . _ ' If Thou, 0 Lord, wilt mark iniquities, Lord who shall stand? For with Thee there is merciful forgive- ness; and by reason of Thy law, I have waited for Thee, 0 Lord. My soul has relied on His work; my soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy, and with plentiful redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his inquities. Give them eternal rest, 0 Lord! May perpetual light shine upon them! From the gate of hell. *\40 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF Erue, Donline, animas eorum. Reqniescant in pace! Amen. Domine, exaudi orationem meam, Et clamor mens ad te veniat. Dominus vobiscnm, Et cum spiritu tuo. C^jemus : Fidelium Deus omnium conditor et redemptor, animabus famulorum famula- rumque tuarum remissionem cunctorum —tribue peccatorum ut indulgentiam — quam semper optaverunt, piis supplicati- onibus consequantur. Qui vivis et reg- nas in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Requiescant in pace. Amen. THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 41 Deliver their souls, 0 Lord! Let them rest in peace! Amen. 0 Lord! hear my prayer, And let my cry come to Thee. The Lord be with you, And with thy spirit. Let us pray: 0 God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, we beseech Thee to grant to the souls of Thy servants the remission of their sins, so that by our prayers they may obtain the pardon for which they long, 0 Lord, who livest and reignesb world without end. Amen. May they rest in peace. Amen. 42 NOVENA FOR THE~RELIEF OF A PRAYER For the Poor Souls for every day oj the Week. One hundred days indulgence, every day: Leo XII Nov. 18, 1826. SUNDAY. 0 Lord, God Almighty, I pray Thee by the Precious blood, which Thy Divine Son Jesus shed in the garden, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and particularly that soul, which is most destitute of aid, and bring it to Thy glory, there to praise and bless Thee forever. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. De Profundis. # MONDAY. 0 Lord, God Almighty, I pray Thee by the Precious Blood which Thy Divine Son shed in His cruel scourging, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and particularly that soul which is nearest entering into Thy glory, so that it may soon begin to praise and bless Thee forever. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. De Profundis. THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 43 TUESDAY. 0 Lord, God Almighty, I pray Thee by the Precious blood which Thy Divine Son Jesus has shed in His bitter crown- ing with thorns, deliver the souls in Pur- gatory, and in particular, deliver that one which would be the last to issue out of those pains. That it may not tarry so long before it comes to praise Thee in Thy glory and bless Thee forever. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. De Profundis. WBDNESDAY. 0 God, Lord Almighty, I pray Thee by the Precious Blood, which Thy Divine Son Jesus shed through the streets of Jerusalem, when He carried the Cross upon His sacred shoulders, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and particularly that soul, which is richest in merits before Thee, so that, in that throne of glory, which awaits it, it may magnify Thee and bless Thee forever. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. De Profundis. THURSDAY. 0 Lord, God Almighty, I beseech Thee by the Precious body and blood of Thy 44 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF Divine Son, which He gave with His own hands upon the eve of His Passion, to His beloved Apostles, to be their meat and drink, and which He left to His whole Church, to be a perpetual sacrifice and life- giving food of His own faithful people, and deliver the souls in Purgatory, and particularly that one, which was most de- voted to this mystery of infinite love ; that, with Thy Divine Son and with the Holy Spirit, it may ever praise Thee for the wondrous love in Thy eternal glory. Amen. * Our Father. Hail Mary. De Profundis. FRIDAY. O Lord, God Almighty, I pi*ay Thee by the Precious Blood, which Thy Divine Son shed on this day upon the wood of the Cross from His Sacred Hands and Feet, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and particularly that soul for which I am most bound to pray, that the blame rest not \vith me, that Thou bringeth it not forth- with to praise Thee in Thy glory and to bless Thee forever. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. De Profundis. THE POOH SOULS IN PURGATORY- 45 SATURDAY. 0 Lord, God Almighty, I beseech Thee by the Precious Blood, which burst forth from the side of Thy Divine Son Jesus, in the sight of and to the extreme pain of His most Holy Mother, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and particularly that one, which was ever the most devout to this Great Lady, that it may soon enter unto Thy glory, there t<$ praise Thee in her, and her in Thee, world without end. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. De Profundis. 46 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF SHORT AND EFFICACIOUS PRAYER For the Faithful Departed. 0 most compassionate Jesus, have mercy on the souls detained in Purgatory, for whose redemption Thou didst take upon Thee our nature and endure a bitter death. Mercifully *hear their sighs, look with pity on the tears, which they now' shed before Thee, and by virtue of Thy Passion, release them from the pains due unto their sins. 0 most merciful Jesus, let Thy Precious blood reach down into Purgatory and refresh and revive the captive souls, which suffer there. Stretch forth unto them Thy -strong right Hand, and bring them forth into the place of refreshment, light and peace. Amen. Blessed souls ! we have prayed for you ! We entreat you, who are so dear to God, and so certain of never losing Him, to pray for us miserable sinners, that are in danger of being damned and of losing God forever. THE POOH SOULS IN PURGATORY. 47 PIOUS EXERCISE. It consists in saying for the souls in Purgatory : Pater Ave ! five times and the versicles : Te ergo, quae sumus, famulis tuis subveni, Quos Pretioso sanguine Tuo redemisti ! We therefore pray Thee, to help Thy servants, Whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious blood ! Three hundred days’ indulgence, once a day. A plenary indulgence if it is said every day during a month. PRAYER. For the Souls in Purgatory. Almighty God, with Whom do live the souls of the perfect, and in Whose holy keeping are placed the souls of those that depart hence in an inferior degree of Thy grace, they being by their imperfect char- ity rendered unworthy ofThy presence,and therefore detained in a state of grief and 48 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF suspended hopes, as we bless Thee for the Saints already admitted to Thy glory, so we humbly offer our prayers for Thy afflicted servants, who continually wait and sigh for the day of their deliverance. Pardon their sins, supply their want of preparation and wipe away the tears from their eyes, that they may see Thee, and in Thy glorious sight eternally rejoice, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. HEROIC ACT OF CHARITY. This “heroic act of charity’ in behalf of the souls in Purgatory consists in a voluntary offering made for their relief, of all our works of satisfaction during life, as well as of all suffrages which may be offered for us after death. This offer- ing we place in the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that she may distribute its merits to those holy souls whom it is her good pleasure to deliver from the pains of Purgatory. Let it be understood, however, that we offer hereby only the special and personal THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 49 portion of the satisfactory merit of our good works, so that we are not prevented from offering our good works, prayers, the holy sacrifice of Mass, etc., for other intentions. It is also to be remembered that though this act is sometimes called a vow, yet it induces no obligation bind- ing under sin. The following indulgences were granted to those who make this heroic offering: Pope Benedict XIII. made the first grant o indulgences for this act. Pius VI. r .crwards confirmed it, and Pius IX. again renewed and specified the indul- gences in a decree dated September 30, 1852. I. All priests who take this vow have the indult ofa privileged Altar, personally, every day of the year, at whatever altar they celebrate mass for the faithful de- parted. II. All the faithful who have made this oblation can gain a Plenary Indulgence, applicable only to the souls in Purgatory, every time they receive Holy Communion provided they visit a Church or public oratory and pray according to the inten- tion of His Holiness. 50 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF III. All the faithful who have made this oblation can apply a Plenary Indul- gence to the faithful departed every Mon- day, by hearing Mass for this intention, provided they also visit some church and pray according to the intention of the Sovereign Pontiff. IV. All indulgences granted, or to be granted, even though not stated as appli- cable to the departed, when gained by those who have made this oblation, can be applied to the souls in Purgatory. V. For those whose duties prevent their hearing Mass on Monday, the Mass heard on Sunday is sufficient to gain the Indulgence No. III. For those who do not yet approach the holy table, or who are unable to receive the Holy Communion, some other good work may be appointed to gain the Plen- ary Indulgence as above. FORM OF OBLATION. 0 eternal and most merciful Father, accept the oblation which I make to Thee, iii union with the Most Sacred Heart of Thy Divine Son Jesus, of all the merits of the life, sufferings, and death of the THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 51 same .Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, in be- half of the souls suffering in Purgatory. I offer to Thee, 0 Heavenly Father, for their deliverance from suffering, for their admission to the joys of Heaven, the in- finite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the immense and superabundant merits of the ever-blessed Virgin Mary, of all the holy martyrs, and of 'all the Saints in Heaven and on earth. I offer, also, and resign entirely, in favor of those suffering souls, all my sat- isfactory works, and those of others ap- plied to me, in life or death, and after my passage to eternity; and in order to render this poor offering of mine more accept- able to Thee, and more beneficial to the souls for whom I make it, I unite it to the infinite and most pleasing homage which the Divine Heart of Jesus is continually paying to Thy Majesty. I place it in the most pure hands ofMary Immaculate, that she may present it to Thee, as a pleasing holocaust, and distribute according to her good pleasure the graces, favors and relief obtained from Thy infinite mercy. Notb.— I t is not necessary to make use of the said formula, since in order to share in the said indul- gence no more is required than a heart-felt act of the will. 52 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF THE ROSARY FOR THE DEAD. It is a practice enriched with numer- ous indulgences, and earnestly recom- mended to all persons who would like to assist the “Poor Souls.” It is said on any ordinary beads. On the Cross: De Profundis, or Pater and Ave. On the Large Beads : Eternal rest give to them 0 Lord, and may perpetual light shine on them. Act of Faith : My God, I believe in Thee, because Thou art Truth itself. Act of Hope : My God, I hope in Thee, because Thou art infinitely good. Act of Charity: My God, I love Thee, with my whole heart, and, above all things, because Thou art infinitely perfect, and my neighbor as myself, for the love of Thee. (7 years, 7 quarantines indulgence for every recital). On the Small Beads: Sweet heart of Jesus, be my love. (300 days’ indulgence) . Sweetheart of Mary, be my salvation. (300 days’ indulgence). THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 53 At the End: Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine. (300 days indulgence.) Our lady of the Sacred Heart, pray for us. (100 days indulgence.) St. Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart, pray for us. (100 days indulgence.) DO NOT FORGET That, by all means, the Holy Sacrifice of Mass is the most efficacious practice to help, to relieve, to deliver the “Poor Souls” in Purgatory. THREE THOUSAND DAYS Of indulgences for the relief of the “Poor Souls” in Purgatory to be obtained by saying the following ejaculations : 1. The sign of the cross. (50 days. Pius IX., 1863.) 2. The sign of the cross in taking holy water. (100 days. Pius IX'., 1863.) 3. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved. (100 days. Pius IX.. September 25. 1863.) 54 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF 4. Praise to Jesus Christ forever. (50 days. Pius IX.) 5. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine. (300 days indulgence, once a day. Pius IX.) 6. Sweet heart of Jesus, may I love Thee each day more and more. (300 days. Pius IX., 1875.) 7. Holy [ Holy ! Holy ! Lord God of Hosts! The earth is full of Thy glory ! Glory be to the Father ! Glory be to the Son ! Glory be to the Holy Ghost! (100 days, once a day, and three times on Sun- day, and during the octave of the Holy Trinity. Clement XIV., 1769,) 8. Sweet Heart of Jesus, be always my love. (300 days. Pius IX., 1875.) 9. My sweetest Jesus, be not my Judge, but my Saviour! (50 days. Pius IX., 1851)/ 10. O my Jesus! mercy! (100 days. Pius IX., 1846.) 11. O Jesus, my God! I love Thee above all things. (50 days. Pius IX., 1854.) THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 55 12. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salva- tion! (300 days. Pius IX., 1852.) 13. Blessed be the Holy and Immacu- late Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (100 days. Pius VI., 1869. 14. Our Lady ofthe Sacred Heart,pray for us! (100 days. Pius IX., 1869.) 15. O Sacrament most holy! O Sacra- ment divine! All praise and all thanks- giving be every moment thine! (100 days, once a day, three times on Thurs- days, and during the octave of Corpus Christi. Pius VI., 1796.) 16. May the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus be praised, adored, loved at every moment, in all the tabernacles, even to the end of time! (100 days. Pius IX., 1868.) 17. The Cross is my sure salvation! The Cross I ever adore! The Cross of my Lord with me! The Cross is my refuge! (300 days, once a day. Pius IX., June 21, 1874.) 18. O Mary, who didst come into this world free from stain, obtain from God for me that I may leave it without sin! (100 days. Pius IX., 1863.) 56 NOVENA FOR THE RELIEF OF 19. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood of Jesus, in satisfaction for my sins, and for the wants of the Holy Church. (100 days. Pius VII., September 22, 1817.) 20. May be done, praised, and forever superexalted, the most elevated and the most amiable will of God in all things! (100 days, once a day.) 21. Eternal Father, we offer Thee the blood, the passion, and the death ofJesus Christ, the sorrow of Mary most holy, and of St. Joseph, in satisfaction for our sins, in aid of the holy souls in Purgatory, for the needs ofour Holy Mother, the Church, and for the conversion of sinners. (1U0 days, once a day. Pius IX., 1860.) 22. Angel of God, my Guardian dear ! to whom His love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide! (100 days indulgence. Pius VIII., 1828.) 23. My loving Jesus, I [Name] give Thee my heart, and I consecrate myself wholly to Thee, out of the grateful love I bear Thee, and as a reparation for all my unfaithfulness, and with Thy aid I pro- THE POOR SOULS IN PURGATORY. 57 pose never to sin again. (100 days, once a day. Pius VII., 1807.) 24. St. Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart, pray for us! (100 days. Pius IX. , June 4 1874.) CONTENTS. Approbation Introduction : To the Pious Reader First Day of the Novena: Existence of Purgatory - Second Day of the Novena: Pains of Purgatory ----- Third Day of the Novena: The Pain of Loss ----- Fourth Day of the Novena: The Pain of Fire ----- Fifth Day of the Novena: Duration of Purgatory - Sixth Day of the Novena: Obligation of Assisting the “Poor Souls” Seventh Day of the Novena: Cruelty of Those who Abandon the “Poor Souls” ------ Eighth Day of the Novena: The Com- munion of Saints Ninth Day of the Novena: Benefit of the Devotion to the “Poor Souls” Prayers for the Dead: De Profundis Prayer for Every Day of the Week 3 5 9 12 15 18 21 25 28 31 34 38 42 60 CONTENTS—Continued. Efficacious Prayerfor the“Poor Souls” 46 Pious Exercise - - - - 47 Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory - 47 The Heroic Act of Charity - - 48 The Rosary for the Dead - - 52 Do not Forget - 53 Ejaculatory Prayers, by which every- body can gain Three Thousand Days of Indulgence for the “Poor Souls.” - - - - - 53 . ~K