The Advantages of Devotion to the Souls in Purgatory
1. As
Sacred Scripture says, it is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for
the dead. (2 Mach. 12:46) Besides being profitable to them, however, it
is profitable to ourselves. There are two reasons for this: (a) Devotion
to the faithful departed reminds us that even venial sin, carelessness,
and tepidity, will one day be punished with terrible severity. As a
result, we are encouraged in our efforts to lead better lives. (b) In
the second place, we know that the souls in Purgatory are holy and are
already in the antechamber of Paradise, which they yearn to reach but
from which they are kept far apart by the imperfections which they have
still to purify. If we can help them by our prayers to enter Heaven even
a little earlier than they had expected, they will certainly intercede
for us with God at all times and especially at the moment of death. In
their gratitude they will implore for us all the graces of which we
stand in need. "Whatever we do for the departed souls," says St.
Ambrose, "redounds to our own benefit; after death it will be restored
to us with interest." While we are assisting our dear ones to ascend as
soon as possible into the everlasting happiness of Heaven, it is
comforting to know that one day their patronage will enable us to join
them there.
2. The story is told of St. John of God that on one
occasion when he was finding it difficult to provide for the crowds of
sick people whom he had in his hospital, he went about the streets of
Granada crying: "My dear brothers, give alms to yourselves." Many were
astonished at these words, but the Saint explained that Jesus regards as
done to Himself anything which we do for the poor and unfortunate, and
that therefore He repays the generous giver handsomely. Since the souls
in Purgatory are poor and needy, it is certain that whatever we do for
them will redound to our own advantage.
St. Margaret of Cortona
had a keen devotion to the faithful departed. It is related of her that
when she was dying she saw a band of blessed spirits descending from
above in order to escort her into Heaven. These were the countless souls
whom her prayers had rescued from the pains of Purgatory. "If only
everyone realised," the Cure d'Ars once said to a fellow-priest, "what
great influence with God the holy souls in Purgatory possess, and the
vast number of favours which we obtain through their intercession, they
certainly would not be forgotten. Let us pray earnestly for them, and
they will intercede strongly for us." "Whenever I wish to obtain some
favour from our Heavenly Father," said St. Catherine of Bologne, "I have
recourse to the souls in Purgatory. I beseech them to present my
petition to the Divine Majesty in their name, and through their
intercession my request is granted."
3. The example of the Saints
should inspire us to practise great devotion to the souls in Purgatory.
We should ask them to obtain for us everything which we need, but
especially the graces necessary for our eternal salvation.
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