Praise to Souls in Purgatory / One of the most profound and compassionate practices in Christian spirituality (and in the Roman Catholic faith in particular) is the tradition to pray to the souls in purgatory.
This act expresses not only that we do believe in life after death, but also that unbroken chain of charity which ties the Church on the Earth (Church Militant), the Souls in Purgatory (Church Suffering), and the Saints in Heaven (Church Triumphant).
The practice of praying to the souls in purgatory is a spiritual work of mercy, which has its foundation on the Scripture and Sacred Tradition, and the teachings of the Church Fathers.
In this paper, the authors discuss the meaning and the purpose of praying to the dead, the concept of purgatory, the historical tradition of this practice, the power of prayer, and step-by-step devotions that believers can engage in to help the souls in pain.
Praise to Souls in Purgatory/Catholic Teaching of Purgatory
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1030-1032) states:
Whoever dies in the grace and friendship of God, and yet is not completely cleansed, is purified so as to attain the purity whereby they may enter the ecstasy of heaven.
This means:
Souls in purgatory are saved.
They are guaranteed Heaven.
They are in the process of being cleansed to be solely pure in their love and without the tint of sin.
The Nature of Purification
Purgatory is:
Not a physical place, but a state.
A spiritual cleansing process.
Divine mercy rather than a punishment.
The reason why the purification is needed is that nothing impure can come in the presence of God (Revelation 21:27).
Praise to Souls in Purgatory / Biblical Principles of Souls prayer
2 Maccabees 12:44-46
This is a passage which speaks of prayers and sacrifices made to the dead:
A pleasant and pious consideration is to pray to the dead, that they be freed of sins.
This passage is a Bible precedent of praying to the souls of the dead.
1 Corinthians 3:15
St. Paul addresses the subject of the purification of saved souls:
He will be spared, but only through fire.
Here fire is taken in the spiritual sense, which symbolizes the cleansing love of God.
Matthew 12:32
Jesus suggests that forgiveness can exist in the new world to come a mention that was interpreted by the early Christians as referring to the process of purgatory.
Praise to Souls in Purgatory / Teaching of the Church Fathers about Purgatory
St. Augustine (5th Century)
This is the practice of the entire Church of praying to the dead.
St. Gregory the Great (6 th Century)
He stressed the importance of saying Mass on behalf of the dead and described what came to be called Gregorian Masses, which is 30 consecutive Masses in honor of a single soul.
St. Thomas Aquinas (13th Century)
Stated that God does not punish, rather He purifies purgatory through His love.
Souls in Purgatory _ Need Our Prayers.
Purgatory souls are unable to pray on their own.
They are unable to act as charitable benefactors or penitent.
They depend on the prayers, the sacrifices and the Masses of the living.
Benefits for the Souls
Speeds their purification
Deepens their peace and hope
Assists them to get closer to the Beatific Vision (direct union with God)
The Payback of the One Who Prays.
Obtains spiritual grace and blessings.
Increases in benevolence and righteousness.
Enhances the consciousness of immortality.
Become spiritually friendly with those one is serving.
As soon as a soul comes to Heaven, it petitions on behalf of its benefactors.
The Communion of Saints and Prayer of the Dead.
The catholic doctrine stresses that every person in the Body of Christ is unified spiritually.
Praise to Souls in Purgatory ; This communion is referred to as the Communion of Saints.
| Group | Role |
| Church Triumphant (Heaven) | Pleads for the souls on earth. |
| Church Suffering (Purgatory) | Receives cleansing and benefits from our prayers. |
| Church Militant (Earth) | Prays, shows charity, and works for salvation. |
Praying of the dead only adds to the love that cannot be separated by death.
Souls in Purgatory Types of Prayer.
1. General Prayer for All Souls
Eternal rest he that grants them, O Lord, and eternal light upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.”
2. Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great.
It is argued that many souls come out of purgatory with this prayer:
I give Thee, Eternal Father, The Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son Jesus, in union with the Masses said today in all parts of the world, to all the holy souls in purgatory. Amen.
3. Gregorian Masses
Thirty Masses in one dead man.
4. Rosary for the Holy Souls
Every decade made sacrifices to souls in purification.
Become a Souls in Purgatory Step-by-Step Guide.
Begin with Intention
Pray explicit names or pray mostly in general on all souls.
Praise to Souls in Purgatory ; Say the Prayer in a slow reverent manner.
| Spiritual Act | Description / Details |
| Offer Sacrifices | Acts of self-denial made for spiritual growth and love of God. |
| Fasting | Abstaining from food or certain pleasures to strengthen faith. |
| Giving Charity | Helping the poor and needy as an act of compassion. |
| Submit to Trials Resignedly | Accepting hardships with patience and trust in God’s plan. |
| Attend Holy Mass | The ultimate prayer of souls; unite with Christ through the Eucharist. |
| Offer Indulgences | Special prayers or acts that remove temporal punishment for sins. |
| When Indulgences Are Granted | All Souls Day (Nov 2) and Nov 1–8 at cemeteries. |
Purgatory Spiritual Emotions of Souls.
Those who are in purgatory understand:
Joy: Knowing Heaven is the assurance.
Longing: to live in complete union with God.
Healing Pain: Purification of imperfections through the love of God is the fire.
St. Catherine of Genoa wrote:
The burning love of God is the fire of purgatory that purifies the soul.
There are Indications That a Person is Seeking Prayers.
Constant daydreams of the dead.
Impulsive memory or emotional attraction.
Sudden wish to pray over somebody.
Compassion or pity of a soul.
The latter are regarded as soft spiritual overtures.
Purgatory Final Great Powerful Prayer to Souls.
We pray you to be merciful and place in your loving care the souls that are purifying. Wash them with the fire of Your Divine Love. Cleanse all the spots of sin, cure all the wounds, and hasten them into the everlasting happiness of Heaven.
May the glow of Christ be constant over them.
Amen.
Conclusion / Praise to Souls in Purgatory
One of the most noble Christian charities is to pray in purgatory on behalf of souls.
It expresses:
Faith in eternal life
Hope in God’s mercy
Death can never destroy love.
This prayer and sacrifice and every Mass said on behalf of the holy souls draws them nearer to Heaven themselves–and they in turn become our undying friends and intercessors in the sight of God.
F&Qs
Do souls know we pray for them?
Yes. Custom teaches them to be conscious and most thankful.
Are purgatory souls able to pray on our behalf?
After praying on their behalf, they can petition on our behalf, particularly once they get to Heaven.
Is purgatory painful?
It is a spiritual pain, the pain of the desire of God.
Is all that goes to purgatory?
Only they die in grace and not purified.
