Grace and Space

Our beloved dead once they are in purgatory become “poor souls.” They can only rely on our prayers and the intercession of the saints in heaven to hasten their entrance to heaven. They cannot do anything for themselves, except to wait for God’s mercy.

The most effective help to the poor souls is the Eucharist. This novena is a complement and can be recited individually or by a group of persons during the wake or after the burial. An interesting companion to this novena is the booklet “Devotion to the Holy Souls in Purgatory” (St Pauls Publishing) that narrates the interview of Maria Simma, the Austrian mystic gifted by encounters with the poor souls. This novena is effective if it stirs us to love and venerate the holy souls in purgatory who are already saved and just waiting for their final liberation. When they are in heaven, they will also intercede for us.

 Novena to the Faithful Departed