Advocate for the Poor Souls

Without appearing to be too repetitious, this is the fourth article from me that deals either directly or indirectly with the Poor Souls in Purgatory.  It isn’t as though enough may not already have been penned regarding this most illustrious subject or expounded upon by one person, it certainly is something that calls for continued attention.

Praying for poor souls is within the scope of the Catholic Churches teaching on suffering after death and the desire of those who are unable to help themselves, seeking release from the confines of Purgatory without very many in the Church Militant (us) adhering to the call to pray.  Because of the lack of notoriety regarding Purgatory, the negative view of Purgatory from many outside the Catholic Church, and a sort of relaxed thinking that everyone immediately goes to heaven who believe in Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion/Resurrection event, frees us all from any intermediate punishment, Purgatory is now just an old-pre-vatican idea that is shoved under the rug.  Not so!  

Examine the many reflections from those who have seen, talked with, or experienced visions and encounters from some of the souls still in Purgatory, and your eyes will be opened to the fact that there are souls suffering and awaiting prayers from us to be released from the bondage that restricts their moving on to heaven.  There is a sadness, expressed from them, that not many have anyone to pray for them, and the time of their confinement is painful, frightening, and only being in God’s presence is their one desire to have.  

The Holy Mass is the number one prayer that will give so many in Purgatory their release and herein is where we have an opportunity to assist souls that yearn for a chance to be escorted to the bliss of heaven.  However, there are other ways to use our prayers when it is difficult to be at Mass or in conjunction with Mass attendance assisting these souls.  The Holy Rosary is one very special path to this end and with the Blessed Mother’s presence constant recitation of the rosary will also become a golden path to their release.  

This is where my title “Advocate for the Poor Souls” makes its way into this reflection.  The Mother of God is the Advocate for all of us when praying to God, but now our attendance to the rosaries permits each of us to be an advocate as well, and the constant use of this most auspicious prayer will not only help release souls bound in Purgatory, it will also aid our own needs, if one day should we find ourselves there, as those released will be able to pray for us.  

How many rosaries are needed for even one poor soul’s release is not known.  Be assured one, or six, or an endless amount cannot be enough.  When I began these rosaries I was praying one a night until something or someone urged me to pray three at a time.  Now, with that same urging I do six a day.  This is not to exemplify myself or suggest what you might consider praying.  I asked once how much prayer is always needed for anything and the answer was there are never enough prayers said, and since myriads of poor souls have no one to pray for them, a new ministry exists for anyone looking how to help God’s people; the Church Penitent! 

As a reminder; my other articles on this subject are: “Souls are waiting”, “Communion of Saints”, and “My walk through Purgatory” .