Polestar Prayer for Souls

Charlene Rack encourages praying for the holy souls in Purgatory, particularly during the month of November.

Often, words from spiritual reading or from a homily will actively inspire me, often surprising me with sudden clarity. It’s like the Holy Spirit shoots a spiritual arrow right into my heart, piercing my soul with clearer vision. Recently our priest shared something he recalled reading, about the saints saying that every single act of charity we make has the power to save a soul. In my mind, I was thinking only of the Church militant, the souls still here on this earth in need of conversion and salvation.

Later that same day, I came upon this quote attributed to Pope St. John Paul II:

“Praying for the souls in purgatory is the highest act of supernatural charity.” (Source unknown)

Naturally, this put me in mind of the Church Penitent, aka, the souls undergoing purification in purgatory. And suddenly, the sheer weight and importance of praying for all souls hit home like a rocket.

It’s not that I’ve been neglecting prayer for the salvation of souls, but more like something I do out of rote habit these days. My husband and I do “the usual stuff.” Before our meals, we offer thanksgiving, then add, “And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.” We also offer a specific petition for the conversion of souls, and for the Holy Souls, especially our deceased friends, family, and loved ones, during our daily Rosary.

However, I also catch myself saying these words without thinking, often getting distracted in prayer by a cat jumping on my lap during the Rosary, or some such thing. I’m not always properly focused on the suffering of these souls, or the effect of my prayers. But, thanks to my “awakening,” that is about to change!

I researched online for something that would add some life and cynosure to my prayer efforts, and found the perfect little (easily tucked in a pocket or purse) prayer books composed by Susan Tassone (which I ordered from Amazon.com).

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One of them is The Rosary for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, with suitable scriptural quotes for every Hail Mary, and the Litany of Our Lady of Montligeon on Behalf of the Holy Souls (something I had never encountered before, a very beautiful prayer for our deceased loved ones, and all the Holy Souls!)

The other is The Way of the Cross for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. What a perfect way to pray the Stations in November!

With these two books added to our arsenal, I feel assured that my husband and I will pray with greater sincerity for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, offering focused and powerful intercessory prayer for all souls!

Click to tweet:
Join with us spiritually in our efforts to carry out “the highest act of charity,” by praying regularly for the Holy Souls in Purgatory during this month #catholicmom

I invite you and your family to join with us spiritually in our efforts to carry out “the highest act of charity” by praying regularly for the Holy Souls in Purgatory during this month dedicated to them in the Catholic liturgical year, in whatever prayer style works best for you! And may we someday be blessed to witness the fruits of ALL of our acts of charity, and reap the benefits of our efforts!

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