On All Saints Day we celebrate all the souls who have made it to Heaven and are now saints before the Triune God, though most are not canonized. All human souls in Heaven are Saints of God and heirs to His Kingdom.
Today Holy Mother Church celebrates those souls that are in Purgatory, which is a true and beautiful doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ, that which is called Catholic. It is the day that the Universal Church offers sacrifice for the Poor Souls in Purgatory and merits for these souls, as they can no longer merit for themselves.
Purgatory is clearly mentioned in Holy Writ and expounded in Holy Tradition, the two pillars of Truth upon which the Church moors the Barque of Peter. “It is a holy and wholesome though to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins.”- Maccabees. “Verily, verily I say unto thee, that thou must pay to the last farthing…”- Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Again, “For everyman’s works shall be tried as in fire…”
Think of the countless souls that are forgotten in Purgatory and who would greatly benefit from your prayers. They in turn will pray for you and help you at the hour of death. Just because the Newchurch does not believe in or denigrates the dogma of Purgatory does not mean that it does not exist! The truth is always the truth and no pronouncements from sinful man, currying the favor of the world can change it.
It is a wonderful thought that those who make it to Purgatory will be saints in Heaven. That is assured. Let us pray the great prayer given by the Mother of God for us here on earth- the Church Militant, and for the Church Suffering in Purgatory:
“O My Jesus, forgive us our sins and save us all from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those poor souls, (in Purgatory) that are most in need of Thy mercy.” This prayer was directed by Our Lady to be said after every decade in the Holy Rosary.
“Have pity on me, at least you, my friends.”
