8 November, Antonio, Cardinal Bacci: Meditations For Each Day

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.