We are halfway through November, and have all been taught how important our prayers are for the Poor Souls in Purgatory; but if you are like me, it can feel impersonal and uninspiring praying for a massive population of unknown people. I have learned some creative ways to pray so that my efforts feel more productive and I can continue them all year long. Hopefully these ideas can help make praying for the souls an important devotion for you too.
Cemeteries: When I drive by a cemetery, I bless myself and ask God to raise one person buried there up to heaven that day, just because I asked. I am confident that He does. Sometimes when I get lost and find myself unexpectedly driving by an unfamiliar cemetery, I trust that there is someone there that needs a boost.
Funeral Prayer Cards: Kathy, a parishioner, has the wonderful devotion of sorting by death month all the prayer cards she collects from wakes and funerals. Then each month, year after year, she prays individually for that month’s souls. She carries the stack with her and in Adoration, she reads the names and prayers on each card, and the St. Gertrude Prayer for all of them. She learned this from her mother, who learned it from her mother. After her mother died, Kathy merged the people she knew from her mother’s packs into her own, so she is continuing to pray for additional ancestors and deceased neighbors. Kathy’s sister and other parishioner friends do it now too.
Daily Sufferings: If you have a few decades under your belt, you probably know a lot of people who have died. I recently heard a great idea that I started this month. Take a calendar and write the name of someone you know who has died on each day of the month. Think of family members, including the great grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins as far back as you know names. Include neighbors, co-workers, childhood teachers (especially the ones you didn’t like!), even acquaintances. Dedicate a day for an unknown ancestor who has spent the longest time in Purgatory. Each morning simply ask God to dedicate your day to that person: your joys and your sufferings for the good of the person’s soul. Fill in as many months as you have names, add new names as people die, and rotate them year-round.
Scripture: Read The Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 1032. What stands out?
