The recent loss of a dear friend of mine was a timely reminder that we are nearing the beginning of All Souls Month. The Catholic Church in its wisdom and love has set aside the entire month of November for us to pray in a special way for our loved ones who have gone before us. This ancient pious practice has been lauded throughout the ages and is rooted in the teachings ofSacred Scripture and Church tradition. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says:
1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. 1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.606 The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:607 As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.608 1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."609 From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.610The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead: Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.611
The practice of praying for the dead has also been widely promoted by the Church Fathers, the doctors of the Church and the saints. The beautiful testatment of St. Ephraem entreats us to act with charity towards our departed loved ones by remembering them in our prayers and sacrifices. Lay me not with sweet spices, For this honor avails me not. Nor yet use incense and perfumes, For the honor benefits me not; Burn yet the incense in the holy place; As for me, escort me only with your prayers. Give ye your incense to God, And over me send up hymns. Be mindful of me in your intercessions. What can goodly odor profit To the dead who cannot perceive it? Bring incense to burn in the holy place, That they who enter may smell the savor. Wrap thou not the fetid carrion In silk that profits it nothing; Cast it out upon the dunghill, For it finds no comfort in tributes of respect. Come, my brothers, and lay out my remains; the decree has gone fort that I can tarry no longer. Give me, as provision for my journey, Your prayers, your psalms, and your sacrifices.When the number of thirty days is complete, Then, O my brothers, make remembrance of me.For the dead truly derive succor, From the sacrifices offered up by the living. Say you that the dead benefit not?Hearken to the words of the Apostle. “If the dead do not rise again, Why should we be baptized for the dead?” What of the men of the family of MattathiasWho discharged their pious office of mercy?As you have read, in that time of war?They atoned by their sacrifices for the sins Of those who fell in the battle,And who had followed the way of the heathen.Much for the Priests of the Son of GodShall avail to purify the dead, By the sacrifices which they offerAnd by the prayers of their mouth.We invite you to pray with us for our beloved dead by adding your loved one to our Novena for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. A donation is requested but not required. You can also find several beautiful resources written by Susan Tassone, a valiant supporter of the cause of the Holy Souls in Purgatory on our website.
We're getting this out a bit late but I'm sure you are already praying fervently for this election. Someone brought the following novena to our attention. It was put out by Fr. John Corapi, S.O.L.T. during the 2008 election and is still very relevenat today.
He asked that the following novena be prayed leading up to the elections as well as the Holy Rosary. "I strongly urge every one of you to make a Novena and pray the Rosary to Our Lady of Victory between (updated: October 25th and Election Day, November 2nd.) Pray that God’s will be done and the mostinnocent and utterly vulnerable of our brothers and sisters will be protected from this barbaric and grossly sinful blight on society that is abortion. No woman, and no man, has the right to choose to murder an innocent human being."
Litany of Our Lady of VictoryLord, have mercy on us, Christ, have mercy on us,Christ, hear us,Christ, graciously hear us.God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.The response for the following greetings is 'Pray for us'.Our Lady of Victory,Victorious daughter of the Father,Victorious Mother of the Son,Victorious Spouse of the Holy Spirit,Victorious servant of the Holy TrinityVictorious in your Immaculate Conception,Victorious in crushing the serpent's head,Victorious over all the children of Adam,Victorious over all enemies,Victorious in your response to the Angel Gabriel,Victorious in your wedding to St. Joseph,Victorious in the birth of Christ,Victorious in the flight to Egypt,Victorious in your exile,Victorious in your home at Nazareth,Victorious in finding Christ in the temple,Victorious in the mission of your Son,Victorious in His passion and death,Victorious in His Resurrection and Ascension,Victorious in the Coming of the Holy Spirit,Victorious in your sorrows and joys,Victorious in your glorious Assumption,Victorious in the angels who remained faithful,Victorious in the happiness of the saints,Victorious in the message of the prophets,Victorious in the testimony of the patriarchs,Victorious in the zeal of the apostles,Victorious in the witness of the evangelists,Victorious in the wisdom of the doctors,Victorious in the deeds of the confessors,Victorious in the triumph of all holy women,Victorious in the faithfulness of the martyrs,Victorious in your power ful intercession,Victorious under your many titles,Victorious at the moment of death,Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, Lord.Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Hear us, Lord.Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy, Lord.Pray for us, blessed Lady of Victory.That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.The Novena Prayer
Let us pray: Our Lady of Victory, we have unshaken confidence in your influencewith your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Humbly we ask your intercessionfor all of us associated under your title, Our Lady of Victory.We beg your powerful assistance also for our own personal needs.(Please mention here your special intention in you own words.) In yourmaternal kindness please ask Jesus to forgive all our sins andfailings, and to secure His blessings for us and for all the works ofcharity dedicated to your name. We implore you to obtain for us thegrace of sharing Christ's victory forever in the life that knows noending. May we join you to praise forever the Father, His Son, JesusChrist, and the Holy Spirit, one God, for all the ages to come. Amen.Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen)
Let us pray: Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To Thee do we sendup our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us.And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of Thy womb,Jesus.O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary,Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God:That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.Let us pray: The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known thatany one who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help, and sought Thyintercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I flyunto Thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To Thee I come; before TheeI stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despisenot my petitions, but in Thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.All this we ask of The Father in the name of Mary's Son, Our LordJesus Christ who lives and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit foreverand ever. Amen.Prayer To Our Lady of Victory
Let us pray: O Victorious Lady! Thou who has ever such powerful influence with ThyDivine Son, in conquering the hardest of hearts, intercede for thosefor whom we pray, that their hearts being softened by the rays ofDivine Grace, they may return to the unity of the true Faith, throughChrist, our Lord. Amen.
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