Do you know someone who has died?

     I ask this question to help you remember. To help you recall all those that have gone before us. Because we all have helped bury loved ones. Friends, friends of friends, relatives, spouses, children. We hear about people dying from the TV, the radio, the newspaper. But just because we don't know them, doesn't mean we shouldn't still pray for them. Just because they are not here physically doesn't mean they didn't go somewhere. They're either in Heaven, Purgatory, or Hell. We will not know, until our judgment and maybe not even then. But until then, we do not assume that responsibility of knowing where they truly are. We only pray for them.

     What we can assume, is that if they are not in Heaven, then they are suffering. Hell is horrible, but respectfully, so is Purgatory. The Hope of Purgatory, should be our goal, because getting to Heaven is no walk in the park. In order to enter there, we must be purified. Because we will stand in the Justice and Majesty of God. The Hope of Purgatory is that we are saved from eternal agony. But there is a sort of Agony that is in Purgatory also. A hopeful agony. 

     The Holy Souls in Purgatory are in a waiting game. Completely waiting for our beloved God to allow them to enter into Heaven. A complete waiting game. For only God knows their time of Resurrection and completion of their purification.

     What about those that died with no one? The ones who went through life alone. The ones who were estranged from the world because everyone was too busy or didn't want to bother. The parents whose children didn't even really care for them even when they were alive. The ones whom everyone thinks made it to Heaven, so they really don't need the prayers. I say no no! We must constantly, daily, pray for the Beloved dead. Every single one of them. I think that when people hear that word "DEAD", they automatically assume that's just what they are. But they are not. Maybe dead to this world, but surely alive in another. The Holy Souls in Purgatory cannot help themselves. They need us. Like we need oxygen to breathe or water to drink, our prayers for them "are" their oxygen and water, so to speak. They do not forget the soul that remembers them and eventually they will go to Heaven by our prayers and good deeds and Masses said just for them. If we help loosen their chains even just a little bit, they will never forget us. In fact, God listens to them when they ask Him to on our behalf. They call to mind to Him, what we ask in our petition for our needs. They are truly grateful. And we must not ever, ever forget them. There is so much we can do for them. Masses, alms giving in their name, Good deeds with good intentions for them, give them comfort and help release them.  

     Try very hard not to forget about our beloved dead. Start now. They're waiting. Always include especially the forgotten ones as the comfort of our intentions for them brings them closer in their steps toward Eternal Paradise. 

    Eternal rest Grant unto all of the Holy Souls in Purgatory oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they all, rest in Peace. I Love you Holy Souls and Purgatory.