HOW LONG DO SOULS REMAIN IN PURGATORY

HOW LONG DO SOULS REMAIN IN PURGATORY?

The length of time souls are detained in Purgatory depends on:

a) the number of their faults;

b) the malice and deliberation with which these have been committed;

c) the penance done, or not done, the satisfaction made, or not made for sins during life; 

d) Much, too, depends on the suffrages offered for them after death

What can safely be said is that the time souls spend in Purgatory is, as a rule, very much longer than people commonly imagine.

We will quote a few of the many instances which are recounted in the lives and revelations of the Saints.

St. Louis Bertrand's father was an exemplary Christian, as we should naturally expect, being the father of so great a Saint. He had even wished to become a Carthusian monk until he learned that it was not God's will for him. When he died, after long years spent in the practice of every Christian virtue, his saintly son, fully aware of the rigors of God's Justice, offered many Masses and poured forth the most fervent supplications for the soul he so dearly loved. 

A vision of his father still in Purgatory forced him to intensify a hundredfold his suffrages. He added most severe penances and long fasts to his Masses and prayers. Yet eight whole years passed before he obtained the release of his father.

St. Malachy's sister was detained in Purgatory for a very long time, despite the Masses, prayers and heroic mortifications the Saint offered for her!

It was related to a holy nun in Pampluna, who had succeeded in releasing many Carmelite nuns from Purgatory, that most of these had spent there terms of from 30 to 60 years!

Carmelite nuns in Purgatory for 40, 50 and 60 years! What will it be for those living amidst the temptations of the World and with all their hundreds of weaknesses?

St. Vincent Ferrer, after the death of his sister, prayed with incredible fervor for her soul and offered many Masses for her release. She appeared to him at length and told him that had it not been for his powerful intercession with God, she should have remained an interminable time in Purgatory.

In the Dominican Order it is the rule to pray for the Master Generals by name on their anniversaries. Many of these have been dead several hundred years! They were men especially eminent for piety and learning. This rule would not be

approved by the Church were it not necessary and prudent.

We do not mean to imply that all souls are detained equally long periods in the expiatory fires. Many have committed lesser faults and have done more penance.  Therefore, their punishment will be much less severe. 

Still, the instances we have quoted are very much to the point, for if these souls who enjoyed the intimacy, who saw the example and who shared in the intercession of great Saints during their lives and were aided by their most efficacious suffrages after death were yet detained for such a length of time in Purgatory, what may happen to us who enjoy none of these wonderful

privileges? 

- Fr. Paul O. Sullivan, O.P.

Prayer for Financial Help to Our Mother of Perpetual Help

Prayer for Financial Help to Our Mother of Perpetual Help

O dear Mother of all,

you who are the perpetual help,

not only in spiritual

but also in temporal needs,

we ask you to help us in the present

because of financial worries.

Due to unavoidable circumstances

that have arisen in our lives,

we are in great financial need

and shame has taken over our home,

as we are unable to meet our debts.

We are not asking, O dear Mother of

Perpetual Help, for wealth

if it is not in accordance with God’s will.

We are simply asking for divine

assistance to help us resolve our

present day obligations.

We believe, dear Holy Mother of God,

that you are extremely kind and

generous to all your loving

and dedicated children.

We therefore beg you, dear Mother,

to grant us the help we urgently need.

We are trying very hard to solve

our problem(s) with all our

humanly possible strength,

but we believe that with your

powerful intercession

with the Lord, Jesus Christ,

your Son and our Redeemer,

you can relieve us of these burdens.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Divine Mercy Chaplet: How to Recite

How to Recite the Chaplet

The Chaplet of Mercy is recited using ordinary Rosary beads of five decades. The Chaplet is preceded by two opening prayers from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska and followed by a closing prayer.

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

8. Repeat for the remaining decades

Saying the "Eternal Father" (6) on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (7) on the following "Hail Mary" beads.

9. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times)

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

10. Optional Closing Prayers

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

O Greatly Merciful God, Infinite Goodness, today all mankind calls out from the abyss of its misery to Your mercy — to Your compassion, O God; and it is with its mighty voice of misery that it cries out. Gracious God, do not reject the prayer of this earth's exiles! O Lord, Goodness beyond our understanding, Who are acquainted with our misery through and through, and know that by our own power we cannot ascend to You, we implore You: anticipate us with Your grace and keep on increasing Your mercy in us, that we may faithfully do Your holy will all through our life and at death's hour. Let the omnipotence of Your mercy shield us from the darts of our salvation’s enemies, that we may with confidence, as Your children, await Your [Son’s] final coming — that day known to You alone. And we expect to obtain everything promised us by Jesus in spite of all our wretchedness. For Jesus is our Hope: through His merciful Heart, as through an open gate, we pass through to heaven (Diary, 1570).

PRAYER FOR THE CONVERSION OF YOUR FAMILY

PRAYER FOR THE CONVERSION OF YOUR FAMILY 

“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit,

through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Amen.”

Eternal Father,

I offer You the Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity

of Your Son Jesus,

in atonement for my sins and the sins of my family.

May the Blood and Water from the pierced Heart of Jesus

cleanse my family line of every stain of sin,

and remove every evil influence.

Amen.

Immaculate Mother Mary,

Please crush the head of the serpent

in the life of each member of my family,

and work your miracles of grace in each soul.

Please hold each member of my family (and me)

in your Immaculate Heart.

Amen.

Precious Blood of Jesus, wash over us.

Precious Blood of Jesus, wash over my family.

Precious Blood of Jesus, wash over me.

Eternal Father,

In the Name of Jesus,

please create an opening

in the soul of each member of my family.

And please give each member of my family

the graces of True Repentance

and Conversion to Your Son Jesus.

Please give each member of my family

the grace to experience Your Love,

and be transformed by It.

Amen.

Eternal Father,

In the Name of Your Son Jesus,

please send an honor guard of angels to surround,

protect, defend, guide, guard, assist and minister to

each member of my family (and me)

today, and everyday.

Amen.

Angels from heaven, direct my path.

Saints in heaven, pray for us.

“In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit,

through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Amen.”

Litany of the Holy Angels Taken From Sacred Scripture

 Litany of the Holy Angels Taken From Sacred Scripture: (very long)

Lord have mercy upon us.

Christ have mercy upon us.

Lord have mercy upon us.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

O God the Father of Heaven,

Have mercy on us.

O God the Son, Redeemer of the World,

Have mercy on us.

O God the Holy Ghost,

Have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, one God,

Have mercy on us.

St Michael, Prince of the Heavenly Army,

Pray for us.

Who had a great fight in Heaven with the Dragon and his Angels,

Pray for us.

Who threw the Dragon and his apostate Angels out of heaven,

Pray for us.

Who fought with the devil over the body of

Moses,

Pray for us.

St Gabriel, who opened to Daniel the divine Vision,

Pray for us.

Who descending into the furnace with Azaria and his companions shook off the flames of fire,

Pray for us.

Who foretold to Zachary the Birth and Ministry of John.

Pray for us.

Who being sent from God to Mary in Nazareth, the Messenger of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ.

Pray for us.

St. Raphael, one of the seven spirits that attend before God,

Pray for us.

Who being a faithful guide to young Tobias, brought him back to safety,

Pray for us.

Who didst repel the Devil from Sara,

Pray for us.

Who didst restore sight to old Tobias,

Pray for us.

Holy Seraphim, which with a fiery coal didst purify the mouth of Isaiah,

Pray for us.

Holy Cherubim, who were appointed to guard the Way of the Tree of Life,

Pray for us.

Who stand upon the high throne of God,

Pray for us.

Who constantly sing to God, Holy, Holy Holy,

Pray for us.

Who in the habit of pilgrims were entertained by Abraham in his House,

Pray for us.

Who struck the Sodomites with blindness,

Pray for us.

Who brought out Lot and his family from amongst the impious Sodomites,

Pray for us.

Who hindered Abraham, after he had shewed his obedience, from offering his only son,

Pray for us.

Who ascended and descended by Jacob's Ladder,

Pray for us.

Who wrestling with Jacob wounded his thigh,

Pray for us.

Who delivered Jacob from all evils,

Pray for us.

Who passing by the houses of the Israelites killed the first-born of the Egyptians,

Pray for us.

Who led the Israelites out of Egypt, through the Red Sea and the wilderness, into the Land of Promise,

Pray for us.

Who delivered to Moses the Law of God,

Pray for us

Who resisted Balaam going to curse the Israelites,

Pray for us.

Who being Chief of God's army wert sent to the assistance of Joshua,

Pray for us.

Who for the sin of David, didst strike with plague seventy thousand people,

Pray for us.

Who procured food for Daniel in the Lion's den,

Pray for us.

Who killed in one night in the camp of the Assyrians, a hundred eighty-five thousand men,

Pray for us.

Who did sharply chastise Heilodorus, when he came to plunder the treasures of the Temple,

Pray for us.

Who did encourage Joseph, when he was fearful of the marriage of the Virgin Mary,

Pray for us.

Who did declare the Nativity of Christ to the Shepherds,

Pray for us.

Who at the birth of our Savior, did sing with joy, Glory to God and peace to men,

Pray for us.

Who didst admonish Joseph to fly into Egypt, with the young Child and his Mother,

Pray for us.

Who did serve Jesus in the wilderness, after He put to flight the Tempter,

Pray for us.

Who did comfort Jesus, when He was in His agony,

Pray for us.

Who did roll the stone from the Sepulcher of

Christ,

Pray for us.

Who sitting in white at the Sepulcher of Christ, did declare to the women that Christ was risen,

Pray for us.

Who did appear to the Disciples when Christ ascended into heaven,

Pray for us.

Who having taken the Apostles out of prison, did set them in public in the Temple,

Pray for us.

Who did wonderfully deliver Peter from his chains and from the power of Herod,

Pray for us.

Who killed Herod when he assumed divine honor,

Pray for us.

Who did carry Lazarus to Abraham's bosom,

Pray for us.

Who have received from God the care and custody of men.

Pray for us.

Who always see the face of the Father who is in heaven.

Pray for us.

Who rejoice for one sinner that do penance,

Pray for us.

Who are sent as ministering Spirits to help those that shall obtain the inheritance of salvation,

Pray for us.

Who are the Ministers of God to do His Will,

Pray for us.

Who did procure to Cornelius the Centurion the precepts of Salvation by Peter,

Pray for us.

Who carry the petitions of those that pray to God,

Pray for us.

Who will come in judgment with Christ in His majesty.

Pray for us.

Who shall cite all the world with a trumpet to the supreme tribunal,

Pray for us.

Who at the end of the world shall gather together the Elect.

Pray for us.

Who shall separate all scandals from the Kingdom of Christ,

Pray for us.

Who shall gather the wicked from among the just.

Pray for us.

All holy orders of blessed Spirits,

Pray for us.

From all dangers,

By Thy holy Angels deliver us, O Lord

From the snares of the Devil.

By Thy holy Angels deliver us, O Lord

From plague, famine, and war,

By Thy holy Angels deliver us, O Lord

From sudden and unprovided Death,

By Thy holy Angels deliver us, O Lord

We sinners,

Beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord

By Thy holy Angels,

We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord

That Thou wilt spare us,

We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord

That Thou wilt vouchsafe to govern and preserve

Thy Church,

We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord

That Thou wilt vouchsafe to give peace and unity to the whole commonwealth of Christians,

We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord

That Thou wilt vouchsafe to give eternal rest to all the faithful departed,

We beseech Thee to hear us, O Lord

Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world.

Spare us, O Lord

Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world.

Hear us, O Lord

Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us.

Our Father...

And lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil.

-A Psalm taken from various psalms:

Praise the Lord from heaven: praise Him on high

Praise Him, all His Holy Angels: praise Him all His Virtues

Bless the Lord, all ye His Angels, you who are mighty in strength: execute His word, hearkening to His spoken word.

Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts: you ministers of his that do his will.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all He hath done for thee.

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.

For He hath given His angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.

In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest thou

dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk: and thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon.

The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear Him: and shall deliver them.

Glory be...

I will sing praise to Thee in the sight of the angels

I will worship at Thy holy temple, and I will give glory to Thy name.

O Lord, hear our prayer.

And let our cry come unto Thee.

Prayer:

O God who in a wonderful order, disposest the services of angels and men; mercifully grant that they who in Heaven always wait Thy orders, may on Earth defend our lives, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer to Saint Claire For Healing

A PRAYER TO ST. CLARE FOR HEALING

O Blessed Saint Clare, your life shines like a beacon and casts its light down the ages of the Church to guide the way to Christ. Look with compassion on the poor and humble who call on you for help. As you bow before your Eucharistic Lord in Heaven, speak to Him of my afflicted body and my broken spirit. Ask Him to heal me and to wash away my sins in his precious blood.

Holy and beloved saint, teach me to believe, as you did, that in the Blessed Eucharist I will find Jesus, who has only to say the word that I may be healed.

(Pause and reflect on the power of Jesus to heal us.)

Great servant of Christ, remember the needs of my family and all those I pray for. Defend us from everything that would threaten our Holy Catholic Faith. Hear the cry of the poor and make it a song of intercession rising from your pure heart to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, our healer, our Saviour, and our Lord.

Clare of Assisi

I Come, O Lord

I come, O Lord, unto Your sanctuary to see the life and food of my soul. As I hope in You, O Lord, inspire me with that confidence which brings me to Your holy mountain. Permit me, Divine Jesus, to come closer to You, that my whole soul may do homage to the greatness of Your majesty; that my heart, with its tenderest affections, may acknowledge Thine infinite love; that my memory may dwell on the admirable mysteries here renewed every day, and that the sacrifice of my whole being may accompany Thine.

Blessing

What you hold may you always hold.

What you do, may you always do and never abandon.

But with swift pace, light step and unswerving feet,

so that even your steps stir up no dust,

Go forward, the spirit of our God has called you.

Behold, Hold and Enfold

I behold the Lord.

I see His outstretched hands.

I see the blood from His wounds.

I see the love in the eyes of Jesus.

I see His gracious acceptance of me.

Image of St Clare of Assisi

Jesus has come out of the tomb –

He still has the scars, but now they are glorious, with the glory of heaven.

Still looking at the Lord, I reach out and touch Him.

I hold the Lord – and I am held in His love.

Love enfolds.

It is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me.

I am secure in the Lord.

I can look out, now, through the Lord’s eyes.

I can see the world as He created it, in His mercy,

I can see my sisters and brothers with His love,

and I can worship the Father through the eyes of the Son in the Love of the Holy Spirit.

(Prayers of St Clare of Assisi)

… St Clare of Assisi, Pray for Us …

O Glorious Saint Clare

God has given you the power of working miracles continually, and the favor of answering the prayers of those who invoke your assistance in misfortune, anxiety, and distress; we beseech you, obtain for us from Jesus, through Mary, His Blessed Mother, what we beg of you so fervently and hopefully, if it be for the greater honour and glory of God and for the good of our souls. Amen.

Saint Clare: Pray For Us

Be Our Light

Blessed Saint Clare, whose very name means light, illumine the darkness of our minds and hearts so that we might see what God wishes us to do and perform it with a willing and joyful heart. Before your birth, a Heavenly voice foretold that you would be a light illuminating the world. Be a light to us in the sorrows and anxieties of this earthy life, and lead us into the eternal light of our home in Heaven. Amen.

Intercession

God of mercy, You inspired Saint Clare with the love of poverty. By the help of her prayers may we follow Christ in poverty of spirit and come to the joyful vision of Your glory in the Kingdom of heaven. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Healing

O Blessed Saint Clare,

your life shines like a beacon

and cast its light down the ages of the Church

to guide the way of Christ.

Look with compassion on the poor and humble

who call on you for help.

As you bow before your Eucharistic Lord in Heaven,

speak to Him of my afflicted body and my broken spirit.

Ask Him to heal me and to wash away my sins

in His precious Blood.

Great Servant of Christ,

remember the needs of my family

and all those I pray for.

Defend us from everything

that would threaten our Holy Catholic faith.

Hear the cry of the poor

and make it a song of intercession,

rising from your poor heart

to the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, our Healer,

our Savior, and our Lord.  Amen.

(Monasterio De Santa Clara)

… St Clare of Assisi, Pray for Us …

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

The Solemnity Of The ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

August 15

 --- Prayer ---

Gentle QUEEN OF HEAVEN, MARY, MY MOTHER, kindly turn your eyes toward me. You who are so filled with compassion and love for all your children on this earth, be with me now as I kneel before you.

I call to mind, Mary, the joy you gave to this world. Your acceptance of the desire of our loving Father gave all of us Jesus, our Lord and our Savior. You in turn, kind Mother, knew the joy of holding God in your arms, of guiding His first steps, of bringing Him to manhood. It is with a heart filled with gratitude, dear Mother of God, that I recall the joys in your life which have given me a most wonderful Savior.

Blessed Mary, Mother of Consolation, through the joy you knew with Jesus on earth and the unending joy of being with Him in heaven, please pray with me now. Ask our Lord to assist me in this need of mine ------- (PAUSE FOR YOUR INTENTION) -------

Grant also, Blessed Mother, that I may reflect the joy I have in my life. I am so blessed by Our Lord. His Gospel of love must always remain in my heart and on my lips. Amen.

QUEEN ASSUMED INTO HEAVEN, PRAY FOR US.

The Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary

Welcome to this experience of prayer and meditation in a video. In the following video, you will embark on a journey through the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. As you watch and engage, you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the profound and glorious moments of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary's lives. Feel free to join in and pray along as the video unfolds, allowing these sacred mysteries to deepen your connection with faith and spirituality. Let the soothing visuals and reflective narration guide you through this spiritual practice, enabling you to draw closer to the divine presence. Embrace this time of contemplation and prayer as you partake in the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.

+++++++++++++++++++++++

The Glorious Mysteries are one of the sets of mysteries of the Rosary, a form of Catholic prayer that focuses on key events in the life of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. The Glorious Mysteries center around the triumphs and joyful moments in the lives of Jesus and Mary. They are traditionally prayed on Wednesdays and Sundays. There are five Glorious Mysteries:

The Resurrection: This mystery commemorates the event of Jesus' resurrection from the dead three days after His crucifixion. It symbolizes victory over sin and death and is a testament to the Christian belief in the resurrection of the body.


The Ascension: This mystery reflects on the moment when Jesus ascended into Heaven, forty days after His resurrection, in the presence of His disciples. It signifies Jesus' return to His Father and His exaltation to the right hand of God.


The Descent of the Holy Spirit: Also known as Pentecost, this mystery recalls the event when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and Mary, as they were gathered in the Upper Room. This marked the beginning of the Church's mission and empowerment by the Holy Spirit.


The Assumption: This mystery celebrates the belief that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was assumed body and soul into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. It emphasizes her special role as the Mother of God and her unique relationship with Jesus.


The Coronation: In this mystery, Mary is crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth by her son Jesus. It highlights her intercessory role and her exalted status in the spiritual realm.

The Glorious Mysteries invite believers to reflect on these significant moments in the Christian faith and to meditate on their spiritual significance. They are meant to inspire hope, gratitude, and a deeper connection with Jesus and Mary.

PRAYER TO ST. RITA FOR HEALING

Dear Saint Rita, model, wife and widow, you yourself suffered in a long illness showing patience out of love for God.

Teach us to pray as you did.

Many invoke you for help, full of confidence in your intercession.

Deign to come now to our aid for the relief and cure of (name).

To God all things are possible; may this healing give glory to the Lord.

Amen.

DEDICATION AND CONSECRATION PRAYER TO THE HOLY fAMILY

O LORD JESUS, our most loving Redeemer, Who having come to enlighten the world with Thy teaching and example, didst will to pass the greater part of Thy life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home of Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it Dedicates and Consecrates itself to Thee this day. Do Thou protect us, guard us and establish amongst us Thy holy fear, true Peace and Concord in Christian Love: in order that by living according to the divine pattern of Thy Family we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.

Most Holy Virgin MARY, dear Mother of JESUS and Mother of us, through the recitation of the Rosary, and by the kindly intercession make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of JESUS, and obtain for us His Graces and Blessings. O Saint JOSEPH, most holy Guardian of JESUS and MARY, help us by thy prayers in all our spiritual and temporal needs; that so we may be enabled to praise our divine Savior JESUS, together with MARY and Thee, for all eternity. Amen.