Heartbeat of the Month - November
In November, the Church remembers in a special way the blessed souls in purgatory, souls who, as the Catechism says, are those “who die in God’s grace and friendship, but are imperfectly purified. Although they are assured of their eternal salvation, they undergo purification after death to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” (CCC, 1031).
These souls need our prayers, sacrifices, almsgiving, and suffrages, but as faith diminishes and apostasy increases in the world, fewer and fewer people are practising this work of spiritual mercy. Be one of them!
The testimony of numerous saints shows us that, through divine Providence, these blessed souls obtain for their intercessors amazing miracles, favours and protection against demons, illnesses and all kinds of dangers.
The Virgin Mary and the souls in purgatory
Among the souls in purgatory, the most privileged are those who were devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori says:
The devotees of our pious Mother are very happy, for not only are they aided by her on earth, but she also assists and comforts them with her protection in purgatory.
But Mary not only comforts and helps her devotees in purgatory, she also breaks their chains and frees them through her intercession. From the day of her glorious Assumption, the day Mary entered paradise and asked her Son to allow her to take with her all the souls who were in purgatory, Mary has had the privilege of freeing all her devotees from those sufferings.
Well known is the promise Mary made to Pope John XXII, to whom she appeared and ordered him to let all those who wore the Carmelite scapular know that, on the Saturday following her death, they would be freed from purgatory.
And if we wish to bring relief to the blessed souls in purgatory, let us pray to the Blessed Virgin for them, offering up the Holy Rosary in their special honour, which will be of great comfort to them.
The thorns of October
The Gospel of Saint Luke recounts that, at the moment of the Crucifixion, the Lord raised a prayer to Heaven: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34). Let us imitate his example and ask forgiveness for those who scourge, betray, abandon, and crucify His Church.
For those who prioritise saving the planet over saving souls. Forgive us, Lord, forgive us.
For those who downplay the seriousness of abortion and reward those who promote it. Forgive us, Lord, forgive us.
For those who try to twist the Scriptures to align themselves with the anti-Christian morality of the world. Forgive us, Lord, forgive us.
For those who despise the blood of martyrs, turning them into victims of social conflict. Forgive us, Lord, forgive us.
For those who distort the mission of consecrated persons and turn them into heralds of fraternity and ecology. Forgive us, Lord, forgive us.
For those who promote an ecumenism that does not seek the conversion to Christ of those who have separated themselves from Him. Forgive us, Lord, forgive us.
The purpose of November
Pray the prayer “Blessed be Thy Purity” every day for the souls in Purgatory and for our deceased loved ones.
Blessed be Your purity,
and may it be so forever,
for God Himself rejoices
in such gracious beauty.
To You, heavenly Princess,
O Holy Virgin Mary,
I offer You on this day
my soul, my life, and my heart.
Look upon them with compassion,
do not forsake them, my Mother.
Amen.
