Virgo Potens

Chapter 16 The Origin of All Souls’ Day (continued) If ever we entertained for some of those hapless Prisoners of the King sentiments of tender affection; if ever we rejoiced in their presence and experienced the bliss of their unfailing sympathy; if ever we vowed undying remembrance of their manifold kindnesses, and proffered them the tribute of our enduring gratitude—now is the time to make good our protestations, now the time to prove the genuineness of our love.—Rev. A. B. O’Neill, C.S.C., in the Ave Maria. “As you measure others,” says our blessed Saviour, “it shall be measured to you again.” Now, what would you wish to be done for you if in Purgatory? Surely you would not like to be forgotten—to have no longer a share in the prayers of the faithful. To escape so great a misery, which is often an effect of Divine justice on such as have had no charity for the deceased, be very earnest to-day in your supplications for those poor souls who have none to pray for them. (Forget-me-nots from Many Gardens) ~ Rev. F. X. Lasance, Holy Souls Book: Reflections on Purgatory (1922)

Chapter 16 The Origin of All Souls’ Day (continued) To the truly fervent Catholic, the Church’s calendar is ever replete with the most beautiful symbolism. He who unconsciously classifies the successive seasons of the year in accordance with the ecclesiastical rather than the civil division; he who habitually thinks of Advent and Lent instead of winter and spring; and in whose vocabulary May, June and October are not more familiar terms than are the months of Mary, of the Sacred Heart, and of the Holy Rosary—such a one discovers in the physical characteristics of each season much that harmonizes wonderfully with the special devotion which Holy Church has associated therewith. And if ever such symbolism becomes strikingly manifest, it is assuredly during the month of November, when the age-stricken year is being hurried to its dissolution. A spirit of sadness and gloom invests the leafless trees, the bare brown fields, and sodden meadows; ashen clouds sweep across the unlovely firmament, and the desolate soughing of the November winds is incessantly wailing the sad plaint of each suffering soul in Purgatory: “Miseremini mei, miseremini mei, saltem vos amici mei.”—“Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends.” The depressing aspect of the physical world during this dreary month must typify to every sympathetic child of the Church the cheerless and wretched condition of hosts of our brethren detained in sad and lonely exile from the heavenly home they long to enter, doomed to wear out a tedious probation of keenest pain and keenest sense of loss before they may hope to stand “before the throne, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands” (Apoc. vii). . . . (Forget-me-nots from Many Gardens) ~ Rev. F. X. Lasance, Holy Souls Book: Reflections on Purgatory (1922)

THANKSGIVING O GOD, Whose mercies are without number, and of Whose goodness there is an infinite treasure, we give thanks to Thy sovereign Majesty for the gifts Thou hast bestowed on us, and beg for Thy continued clemency, that, as Thou grantest the petitions of those who ask Thee, Thou wilt never forsake them, but wilt prepare them for the reward to come. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen. Collect, Votive Mass of Thanksgiving ~ Saint Joseph Daily Missal, 1950

Chapter 16 The Origin of All Souls’ Day The great historian, P. Sirius, of the Carthusian Order, traces the origin of this anniversary of the Poor Souls to the following occurrence, which St. Peter Damian relates in the Life of the holy Abbot of Clugny. A pious Religious from France, who, on his return from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, was cast by a storm upon an unknown island, there met a devout hermit. This hereto informed the Religious that near his cell he frequently heard an awful and terrific howling of the evil spirits, crying out that the prayers and good works for the departed wrought such damage to themselves, as they released, or at least greatly relieved, the souls that had been given over to them for torture. They expressed an especial hatred against Abbot Odilo of Clugny and his monks. Upon his return, the Religious, in accordance with the wishes of the hermit, communicated this information to the Abbot of Clugny, who was the more incited thereby to continue this work of charity; and to spread it more widely, he introduced in the year 1030, on the 2d day of November, in all the monasteries of his Order an annual commemoration of all the faithful departed. Pope John XIX, after conferring with Abbot Odilo, extended the practice to the whole Church. Tertullian, even in the third century, mentions that the Christians of his time celebrated an annual commemoration of the departed; and Bishop Amalarious of Treves had introduced an All Souls’ Day in his diocese two centuries before Odilo. (Help for the Poor Souls in Purgatory) ~ Rev. F. X. Lasance, Holy Souls Book: Reflections on Purgatory (1922)

Month of the The Holy Souls in Purgatory ~ November 22nd Chapter 15 The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Angels and the Saints, in Relation to the Holy Souls (continued) 14 ~ The Saints in Reference to Works of Penance for the Holy Souls The saints have always had recourse to works of penance as the best means of obtaining extraordinary graces from God either for themselves or for others. There is no doubt that these works of mortification have a great efficacy for the departed, as numerous examples will show. Boudon says: “If we had but a little faith, fasting, scourging, and other works of penance and mortification would be our usual means of assisting the Poor Souls.” Although such zeal is not expected of every one, yet there is no one who could not occasionally deny himself a part of some favorite dish or some amusement, mortify his eyes, ears, or tongue, preserve silence for a short time, bear in patience the pains of sickness, heat, or cold, or any other adversity, or curb his self-will or inclinations; in fact, bear with submission and gratitude to God everything that causes pain or distress. Thus the husbandman, the tradesman, the servant, and all others who have corporal and spiritual suffering to bear, possess much that can be offered for the Holy Souls. At the same time this Christian charity will draw the greatest blessings down upon themselves and give them strength in their own suffering. Boudon relates that persons who had offered up all the hardships of a journey for the Poor Souls had been rescued from great dangers in a miraculous manner, as God chose to reward their charity for the Holy Souls by a special protection of His loving providence. (Ackerman, Help for the Poor Souls in Purgatory) ~ Rev. F. X. Lasance, Holy Souls Book: Reflections on Purgatory (1922)

Ista est summa sapientia per contemptum mundi tendere ad regna celesta This is the highest wisdom: through contempt of the world, to strive for the kingdom of heaven. (Thomas à Kempis)

A Short Offering which may be made each morning for the souls in Purgatory O my God, deign to accept my every thought, word, and action as a loving petition to Thy mercy on behalf of the suffering souls in Purgatory, particularly _____________. I unite to Thy Sacred Passion the trials and contradictions of this day, which I purpose to bear with patience, in expiation for the sins and infidelities which retain Thy children in the purifying flames of Purgatory. Amen. ~ Forget-Me-Nots from Many Gardens, or Thirty Days Devotion to the Holy Souls (1904)

Chapter 15 The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Angels and the Saints, in Relation to the Holy Souls 4 ~ St. Joseph If we reflect on the close alliance St. Joseph has with the Incarnate Word and His Immaculate Mother we must surely acknowledge him worthy of our deepest love and veneration. One of the best modes of honoring him is to supplicate the Most High for souls who were devout to him during life and are now suffering in Purgatory. St. Joseph may be regarded as the special Patron of Purgatory, because he is, after our blessed Lady, the most powerful and charitable of all the saints. The Prime Minister of Egypt had authority to open or shut the gates of the prison at will, which has always been considered a privilege of the highest order. Thus it is with St. Joseph, of whom the first Joseph was a true type. Assured of the power of our holy Patriarch, can we doubt his good will? Who can express his burning zeal in favor of the poor sufferers in Purgatory, who are in his eyes all-beautiful by sanctifying grace, beloved by God, and destined soon to enjoy the beatific vision in the realms of bliss? St. Joseph, before entering heaven, passed through Limbo, which, doubtless, was not a place of torments like Purgatory; still, it was not paradise. Here eager souls sighed for the coming of the Messias, and saluted Him from afar. This great Saint mingled his desires with theirs. In consoling the souls in Purgatory, St. Joseph continues the merciful avocation Divine Providence assigned him in Limbo. . . . The beautiful mission of Consoler of the Dead is too glorious, too dear to God and to the saints, not to have it still continued to St. Joseph after the ascension of our divine Redeemer. A venerable writer says that the Son of God, having the keys of paradise, has given one to His Immaculate Mother and the other to St. Joseph. Oh, then you who so much love the dear departed ones, you who still weep at the remembrance of a cherished parent, a beloved brother or sister, or dear friend, have recourse to St. Joseph! You who dread the flames of Purgatory invoke St. Joseph, for though he is the mediator of all who are detained in those cleansing fires, he exercises special influence in behalf of persons who during life have been distinguished for their zeal in honoring him. Lastly, after the example of St. Joseph, let us be messengers of joy to those helpless souls detained captive in the fiery prison by offering fervent prayers and gaining indulgences for their relief. (Forget-me-nots from Many Gardens) ~ Rev. F. X. Lasance, Holy Souls Book: Reflections on Purgatory (1922)

SHORT LITANY with the ANGEL of the AGONY JESU! by that shuddering dread which fell on Thee; Jesu! by that cold dismay which sickened Thee; Jesu! by that pang of heart which thrilled in Thee; Jesu! by that mount of sins which crippled Thee; Jesu! by that sense of guilt which stifled Thee; Jesu! by that innocence which girdled Thee; Jesu! by that sanctity which reigned in Thee; Jesu! by that Godhead which was one with Thee; Jesu! spare those souls which are so dear to Thee; Who in prison, calm and patient, wait for Thee; Hasten, Lord, their hour, and bid them come to Thee; To that glorious home, where they shall ever gaze on Thee. ~ Cardinal Newman ~ Rev. F. X. Lasance, Holy Souls Book: Reflections on Purgatory (1922)

Chapter 15 The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Angels and the Saints, in Relation to the Holy Souls 3 ~ The Angels Besides the consolations which the souls receive from the Blessed Virgin, they are also assisted and consoled by the holy angels, and especially by their guardian angels. The Doctors of the Church teach that the tutelary mission of the guardian angels terminates only on the entrance of their clients into paradise. If, at the moment of death, a soul in the state of grace is not yet worthy to see the face of the Most High, the angel guardian conducts it to the place of expiation, and remains there with her to procure for her all the assistance and consolations in his power. It is an opinion common among the holy Doctors, says Father Rossignoli, that God, who will one day send forth His angels to assemble the elect, also sends them from time to time into Purgatory, there to visit and console the Suffering Souls. No doubt there cannot be any relief more precious than the sight of the inhabitants of heaven, that blessed abode whither they will one day go to enjoy its glorious and eternal felicity. The Revelations of St. Bridget are filled with examples of this nature, and the Lives of several saints also furnish a great number. . . . If the holy angels interest themselves in behalf of the souls of Purgatory in general, it is easy to understand that they have particular zeal for those of their clients. . . . It may be here asked how the saints and blessed already crowned in heaven can assist them. It is certain, says Father Rossignoli, and such is the teaching of all masters in theology, St. Augustine and St. Thomas, that the saints are very powerful in this respect by way of supplication, or as we say, by impretation, but not by satisfaction. In other words, the saints in heaven may pray for the souls, and thus obtain from divine mercy a diminution of their suffering; but they cannot satisfy for them, nor pay their debts to divine justice; that is a privilege which God reserves to the Church Militant. (Rev. F. X. Schouppe, S.J., Purgatory, 1893) ~ Rev. F. X. Lasance, Holy Souls Book: Reflections on Purgatory (1922)

Month of the The Holy Souls in Purgatory ~ November 19th Chapter 3 “Have Pity on Us!” (continued) The various states or stages in which this soul appeared, teach us the ordinary economy of God’s providence—that he does not ordinarily liberate souls from Purgatory by an absolute act of His power and will, but exacts from them with the strictest justice the full payment of their debt, ever accepting the suffrages of the faithful in their behalf—which succors are the more advantageous to these poor souls the more frequently and fervently they are offered. —Forget-me-nots from Many Gardens. ~ Rev. F. X. Lasance, Holy Souls Book: Reflections on Purgatory (1922)

Chapter 3 “Have Pity on Us!” (continued) St. Malachy having lost his sister by death, offered many fervent prayers and pious suffrages for her eternal repose. Having after some time desisted from doing so, he heard one night an unknown voice say to him that this sister waited outside the church and asked him for assistance. The Saint well understood what the needs of his sister were, and having resumed the pious exercises which he had discontinued, he saw her some time after at the entrance of the church in robes of mourning, and having a sad and disconsolate aspect. This vision caused him to redouble his prayers in her behalf, nor did he allow any day to pass without performing many acts of piety for her relief. The soul on its next appearance had a less mournful garb and was inside the church, but durst not approach the altar. The Saint having his confidence in the efficacy of his suffrages thus sustained, multiplied them even more than before, and did his utmost to satisfy the Divine Justice in her behalf. On her third appearance, he was consoled with the assurance that his pious intention had been effected. He saw her clad in garments of dazzling brightness, and advancing to the altar, surrounded by a joyous band of blessed spirits, thus signifying to her holy brother that she had obtained admission into heaven. ~ Rev. F. X. Lasance, Holy Souls Book: Reflections on Purgatory (1922

Chapter 3 “Have Pity on Us!” (continued) In praying for the dead and gaining indulgences for them, let us remember that every prayer we say, every sacrifice we make, every alms we give for the repose of the dear departed ones, will all return upon ourselves in hundredfold blessings. They are God’s friends, dear to His Sacred Heart, living in His grace, and in constant communion with Him; and though they may not alleviate their own sufferings, their prayers in our behalf always avail. They can aid us most efficaciously. God will not turn a deaf ear to their intercession. Being Holy Souls, they are grateful souls. The friends that aid them, they in turn will aid. We need not fear praying to them in all faith and confidence. They will obtain for us the special favors we desire. They will watch over us lovingly and tenderly; they will guard our steps; they will warn us against evil; they will shield us in moments of trial and danger; and when our hour of purgatorial suffering comes, they will use their influence in our behalf to assuage our pains and shorten the period of our separation from the Godhead. ~ Rev. F. X. Lasance, Holy Souls Book: Reflections on Purgatory (1922)