Virgo Potens

2 of 2 8th Day ~ Purgatory under the New Law 2. The punishment of sins committed by Christians will be far heavier than that of those committed by non Christians. He that knew his Lord's will and did it not shall be beaten with many stripes. The fire shall try every man's work, and it will indeed be a searching, penetrating fire. Just in proportion to the light and grace given will be the punishment for refusing it. When I think of the clear light and strong grace I have enjoyed, what must I expect? 3. That which makes sin so grievous now is that it is not only an offence against God, but an act of unkindness and ingratitude to Jesus Christ. It basely returns Him evil for His love to us. God treated far more leniently those who lived in days of ignorance, when He had not revealed Himself in His Son. Now, He calls on us all to do penance in this life, else we shall have to do a terrible penance hereafter. Pray for a conviction of the evil of sin as an insult to Him Who died on the Cross to save us from our sins. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the The Holy Souls in Purgatory ~ November 8th ✧✿✿✧❁❁✧✿✿✧ 8th Day ~ Purgatory under the New Law 1. Though Our Lord brought fresh graces without number and privileges without end, which made the path to heaven easy to find compared with what it had been before, yet at the same time those additional graces involved additional responsibility for those on whom they were bestowed. Under the light of the Gospel, with the sight of Christ crucified before them, with all the privileges of the Church, their venial sins were far worse than those of the Jews and pagans. Do I ever remember all that Christ has done for me , and think how it increases my guilt? (continued)

2 of 2 7th Day ~ Purgatory under the Old Law 2. The sacred writer commends the piety of Judas Machabeus, who collected a large sum of money to have sacrifices offered for the sins of those who had died in battle. His charity was very pleasing to God. Amid the distresses and anxieties of the war in which he was engaged with the enemies of God, he did not forget the holy dead. What a firm belief he must have had in purgatory! What a vivid realization of the needs of those who suffer there! Yet I too often seem to forget the very existence of purgatory and of those who suffer there! 3. Judas recognized the duty of special prayers and sacrifices for our own countrymen and friends; for those whom we have known and with whom we have associated on earth. Surely if he had this zeal, I, a child of the Church, ought to do more than I do for my friends, acquaintances, and connections. Pray for more devotion to those who have a special claim on you. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the The Holy Souls in Purgatory ~ November 7th ✧✿✿✧❁❁✧✿✿✧ 7th Day ~ Purgatory under the Old Law 1. It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins (2 Mach. xii. 45). These words of Holy Scripture, approving the custom of praying for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins, implies that they are bound by sin in a prison-house, from which one day they will be released. The phrase would be meanihgless were there no purgatory. Even apart from inspiration, the passage bears witness to the prevalent belief of the whole Jewish people. If they were so much impressed with the fear of the sufferings of purgatory, and ready to help those imprisoned there, how much more should I! (continued)

2 of 2 6th Day ~ The Justice of Purgatory 2. Venial sin has also in it an intensity of evil that we do not understand. It is a greater evil than all the physical evil, all the misery, all the pain in the whole world. We too often overlook venial sin in our acts of contrition, we forget its baseness, meanness, treachery. Our hands are not clean when we appear before God, and we do not trouble ourselves to cleanse them. Hence we have to be cleansed in the searching fires of purgatory that God's justice may be vindicated. 3. How few there are who, when they come to die, have learned to hate sin as those must who are to appear before God in heaven. They still cling to the things of earth, and prefer them in some way to that which they know God desires of them. "O Death!" says the Wise Man, "how terrible thou art to the man who has peace in his possessions." For such an one there is also a terrible purgatory, for this sort of peace is sure to involve many venial sins that have passed almost unnoticed. Pray for a wholesome fear of the just judgments of God. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the The Holy Souls in Purgatory ~ November 6th ✧✿✿✧❁❁✧✿✿✧ 6th Day ~ The Justice of Purgatory 1. Every mortal sin has in it an intensity of evil that cannot be measured, inasmuch as it is a deliberate and wilful offence against a God of infinite holiness. Our Lord, by the satisfaction of infinite value He offered for sin, saved us from the eternal punishment which is incurred by each mortal sin. But the divine justice requires on our part that we should suffer in some way a penalty that at least reflects in its intensity something of the intensity of the evil of mortal sin. Either in this life or in purgatory man must expiate each single sin committed. (continued)

2 of 2 5th Day ~ The Reason of Purgatory 2. Most men have never had a sorrow for sin corresponding to its true character. It has not been in anywise equivalent to the malice of sin, or the insult offered by it to Almighty God. They have paid but a very small portion of the debt due, and though Our Lord's merits are of infinite value, yet they have not availed themselves of them as they might. The remainder of this debt must be paid before the justice of God is satisfied. 3. Most men up to the end of their lives are still attached to some fault or imperfection displeasing to God. They know it is not a serious sin and therefore they think too lightly of it, and do not make the efforts they might to overcome it. When death comes, they see it in its true light, and are pierced with sorrow and dismay and hatred of themselves, and a desire to make satisfaction to God by suffering the penalty of their sin. Ask yourself whether you have reason to fear on any of these accounts. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the The Holy Souls in Purgatory ~ November 5th ✧✿✿✧❁❁✧✿✿✧ 5th Day ~ The Reason of Purgatory 1. The doctrine of purgatory is, like all the teaching of the Church, perfectly reasonable. There are many good men and women loving God above all things, who have often made good acts of contrition for their past sins, who are nevertheless still very imperfect. It would be strange if they who commit many daily faults, of which some are deliberate and are done with a full knowledge that they displease God, should at once take their place in the company of the saints. It would jar upon our ideas of what is required by the holiness and majesty of God. (continued)

2 of 2 4th Day ~ The Difficulty of Purgatory 2. They moreover long after God with the most intense longing; they have no attachment to any sort of sin; they do not cling to any creature with a love which interferes with their love of God. Why is not the door of heaven opened to them? Why are they kept waiting so long? They have done all they can. They have united themselves to Him by a perfect act of sorrow and love. Yet God, in His hatred of their past sins, keeps them in a place of banishment. How God must hate sin! 3. All their sufferings will not add anything to their future glory. However patient they may be, they will gain nothing by their willing endurance. Why then does not God, the All-merciful God, take them at once to heaven? We can understand that those who hate God are necessarily separated from Him, but why those who love Him, if they gain nothing by it? How God must hate sin if He thus punishes it in the case of those who have nothing in them save the purity of perfect love! Seek to realize more the utter hatefulness of sin. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the The Holy Souls in Purgatory ~ November 4th ✧✿✿✧❁❁✧✿✿✧ 4th Day ~ The Difficulty of Purgatory 1. These souls waiting for heaven are one and all holy. No spot of sin, no attachment to sin, no imperfection dwells within them. They love God with all the force of their regenerate nature, and God loves them with the fondest affection. They are to be His friends and companions for ever. The throne in heaven is ready for each of them, and nothing can deprive them of it. The saints and angels are longing for their company, yet they cannot enter heaven. How strange it seems! What holds them back in their spotless purity from the bosom of their God? (continued)

2 of 2 3d Day ~ The Holiness of the Souls in Purgatory 2. This act of perfect contrition also implies a detestation of all venial sin, and of anything that interferes with the pure love of God. But it does not remove the debt that still has to be paid. It is rather the very intensity of the act of contrition that will make the soul long to do penance, and cause it to rejoice in being buried in purgatory till the justice of God is satisfied. How differently I shall then view my sins! How I shall loathe and detest the folly that led me to prefer to the will of God what was hateful in itself, and more hateful still by reason of the divine prohibition. 3. These holy souls will, however, gain no merit by their act of contrition and love. They will indeed receive the assistance of actual grace in proportion to the degree of sanctifying grace in which they died, but their co-operation with it will not add to their glory in heaven, or shorten their purgatory. After death, no redemption; no power to shake off the temporal punishment of a single sin. Pray that you may lose no opportunity of merit while on earth. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Death of the Righteous Month of the The Holy Souls in Purgatory ~ November 3rd ✧✿✿✧❁❁✧✿✿✧ 3d Day ~ The Holiness of the Souls in Purgatory 1. Every soul in Purgatory, before coming thither, appears before the judgment-seat of Christ, and there recognizes its state before God, and (as many theologians tell us) makes an act of perfect contrition and fervent love, by which all the guilt of sin still attaching to it is removed. It is, as far as its own intrinsic condition is concerned, ready to appear in the immediate presence of God, and to enjoy the Beatific Vision forever. O happy souls that die in a state of grace, and are united to God by bonds that no power in earth or hell can sever! (continued)

O Holy Guardian Angels, pray for the Poor Holy Souls in Purgatory. Novena to One’s Guardian Angel for the Holy Souls in Purgatory Begins today at Christus Regnat ~ https://t.me/RexUniversi

2d Day ~ The Saints waiting for Heaven 2. These saints waiting for heaven cry out to us to help them. They have a claim on us by reason of the intensity of their suffering. No words can tell all that they suffer, and their very love for God increases their pain. Every compassionate heart will desire to do something to relieve them, and to shorten the time of their banishment. Yet how little I do for them! 3. They are, moreover, unable to help themselves. We always feel a more tender sympathy for those who cannot move a finger to relieve their own sufferings. Their helplessness appeals to our generosity. If we saw one whom we knew to be a saint enduring some affliction in which he could do nothing in his own behalf, we should be eager to assist him. The holy souls are utterly helpless; their own prayers avail them nothing. To us they look for aid, to us for an abridgment of their time of punishment. Do I respond to their appeal as I ought? Endeavor to increase in sympathy for the souls in purgatory. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the The Holy Souls in Purgatory ~ November 2nd ✧✿✿✧❁❁✧✿✿✧ 2d Day ~ The Saints waiting for Heaven 1. Requiescant in pace. On All Souls' Day we offer this prayer for those who are not only saints, but saints on the very threshold of paradise, waiting to be admitted to the immediate presence of God. It is always a privilege to do a service to the friends of God; it is so above all when those who need our help will in a short time behold His face in heaven, and will gratefully remember to all eternity each little prayer offered on their behalf. (continued)

2 of 2 1st Day ~ The Saints in Heaven 2. This countless multitude stand before the throne of God, and in sight of the Lamb. These are the two fountains of their joy. They are never weary of admiring the justice of God, His wisdom, power, majesty. They also drink in, as they behold the Sacred Humanity of the Lamb, an inexhaustible draught of love and gratitude. He is their King, their Saviour, their Lord, their Love. To gaze on His perfect beauty is in itself paradise. No wonder then that they rest in peace. 3. How can the saints endure the sight of the divine glory? Are they not sinners all? Yes, all — save God's holy Mother. Or rather they were sinners all, but now they have washed their robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb. This is the secret of true peace; sin forgiven, and a conscience pure and clean. We need not fear our past sins if we have by heartfelt contrition washed them away in Jesus' Blood, but even here we may rest in peace. Pray that you may rest in peace in the love of God. ~ Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J., The Devout Year (1893)

Month of the The Holy Souls in Purgatory ~ November 1st ✧✿✿✧❁❁✧✿✿✧ 1st Day ~ The Saints in Heaven 1. I saw a great multitude which no man could number, standing before the throne, and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and with palms in their hands. (Apoc. vii. 9.) Requiescant in pace. There is no need to offer this prayer for the saints in heaven, except by way of congratulation, of joy at the thought of their happiness. Their period of suffering is past; they rest in eternal peace, in the perfect possession of Him for whom they were created, and apart from whom man is ever restless and dissatisfied. To have peace with God—this is the joy of heaven, and this alone can give us joy on earth. (continued)

Month of the The Holy Souls in Purgatory ~ November 1st ✧✿✿✧❁❁✧✿✿✧ 1st Day ~ The Saints in Heaven 1. I saw a great multitude which no man could number, standing before the throne, and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and with palms in their hands. (Apoc. vii. 9.) Requiescant in pace. There is no need to offer this prayer for the saints in heaven, except by way of congratulation, of joy at the thought of their happiness. Their period of suffering is past; they rest in eternal peace, in the perfect possession of Him for whom they were created, and apart from whom man is ever restless and dissatisfied. To have peace with God—this is the joy of heaven, and this alone can give us joy on earth. (continued)

November ~ Month of The Holy Souls in Purgatory ✯¸.•´*¨`*•✿ ✿•*`¨*`•.¸✯ November 1, 2025 Dear Friends, Thank you so much for following Virgo Potens, and all of our sister channels, on Telegram, and thank you for your patience with typographical and other errors, as well as late postings! Most errors corrected within a day or so; if you find something that you would like to save, but find that it has an error, do check back. A special thank you to those who have forwarded posts to their own channels. May God reward you! This month, we will be studying and meditating upon Purgatory and how to become a saint. • At Virgo Potens this year, our readings will be taken from The Devout Year (1893) by Rev. Richard F. Clarke, S.J. • At One, Holy, Catholic and Catholic Universe, using two different sets of readings, we will be explore An Easy Way to Become a Saint by Fr. Paul O’Sullivan O.P (1949), with ecclesiastical approbation, June 13, 1949. • Other channels will continue much as they have been. Please continue to visit for new posts each day! May God bless you and richly reward and encourage you in your study of the immemorial truths taught by the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. ✯¸.•´*¨`*•✿ ✿•*`¨*`•.¸✯

November 1, 2025 FIRST SATURDAY of NOVEMBER 💙 “See my daughter, how my heart is encircled by thorns with which ungrateful men pierce me at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You, at least, try to console me, and announce that I promise to assist at the hour of death, with the graces necessary for salvation, all those who on the First Saturdays of five consecutive months, confess, receive Holy Communion, recite part of My Rosary, and keep me company for a quarter of an hour, meditating on its mysteries with the intention of offering me reparation.” ~ Words of Our Lady to Sr. Marie (Lucia dos Santos) on December 10, 1925 If possible, make First Saturday devotions today, in reparation for offenses against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as requested by Our Lady herself in 1925, and confirmed by Our Lord in 1927.