Purgatory

 Composed by: Br. Pio Benedict   

Here we are again, it's that time of year.  Halloween approaches with its ghosts and goblins, witches and demons.  Immediately following All Saints Day on the 1st, we have All Souls Day where we remember the dead, our family and friends who have crossed over.   It is important to remember the poor souls in purgatory at this time.  These poor souls need our thoughts and prayers so they can move on to sit with our heavenly Father.
 
As St. Padre Pio has said, "do as I have done.  Pray, pray always for the souls of the dear departed.  Even if your loved ones are in Heaven, we must always pray.  If they no longer need your prayers, they are applied to other souls in need."
 
Padre Pio had an intense and loving concern for the dead and the salvation of their souls, continually praying and remembering them.  One of the stories told of him was of St. Pio’s rising from dinner with the other friars and going to the dining room door where he was seen speaking to someone, even though no one was there.  Upon returning to dinner the friars inquired, so Padre Pio replied, "Don't worry.  I was talking with some souls who were on their way from Purgatory to Heaven.   They stopped here to thank me because I remembered them when I celebrated Holy Mass this morning."
 
Think about it, when we are in pain and misery, isn't it a marvelous thing when someone comes to our aid or even just comforts us?  All of us need this interaction, concern and love.  What makes the souls in Purgatory any different, except for the fact that many of these poor souls have no one to pray for them.  They are long forgotten.
 
St. Pio once stated, "more souls of the dead than of the living climb this mountain to attend my Masses and seek my prayers."  He never forgot them and we should do the same. 
 
I want to thank the Padre Pio Foundation for this reminder and for refreshing my memory of some of the above information and facts.  I would also like to thank them for the beautiful prayer that follows.  Please visit them at www.padrepio.com  and explore more about St. Pio.  
 
PRAYER FOR OUR DECEASED LOVED ONES
 
Almighty, Loving and Gracious God, with faith and hope I pray for the eternal welfare and well-being of my deceased loved ones, especially... (here mention names.)
 
Raise them up to the fullness of life with You forever, and welcome them into the company and perfection of Your saints, to enjoy unending love and everlasting rest and peace in Your presence.
 
May Christ, the Good Shepherd, bring my beloved deceased safely home to You, and may they be happily reunited with family, relatives,  and friends who have gone before them into Heavenly paradise.
 
Grant comfort,  strength  and consolation to all who mourn  and grieve as we await our eternal reward,  seeking only to be home again with You and all those we have loved so deeply in this life. Amen.
 
    
 Please remember these poor souls now and throughout the year.  If we don't, their suffering will continue.  Make this a daily habit and help them reunite with our Heavenly Father.