Pray For The Holy Souls - Catholic Customs

Welcome to the inaugural post for this blog!


In the past I have prayed for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, and I intend to make it a focus here on this blog, hoping that I might catch the attention of some Catholics looking to add some prayertime to their day, that they might help a soul in need.

Recently it was mentioned to me, by someone who ought to know better, that we do not believe in Purgatory any more.

The Catholic custom is that when we die, and if our souls are in a state of grace, that we enter Purgatory, to cleanse our souls of past wrongs. Our loved ones are supposed to pray for our souls, and continue to pray for our souls until they die, as they do not know when one attains Heaven.

Remember we are not dead when we die, but alive in Christ, and our loved ones help us with their prayers after we die.

We should pray for our dearly departed everyday, not only to help them attain the Beatific Vision, but to help ourselves by gaining powerful allies in Heaven who will pray for us as well. Surely, that is a good thing!



Plus, you can receive a:

PLENARY INDULGENCE FOR THE POOR SOULS

Six General rules for obtaining a plenary indulgence:

1. State of grace at when performing the indulgenced act.
2. Complete detachment from sin, even venial sin.
3. Confession (20 days before or after the indulgenced act)
4. Communion (20 days before or after the indulgenced act)
5. Prayers for the Supreme Pontiff (20 days before or after the indulgenced act)
6. Indulgenced act: a special good work with special conditions of place and time.

Indulgenced acts to be performed for obtaining a plenary indulgence:
*From November 1 to 8: visit of a cemetery with mental prayer for the poor souls.
*On November 2: visit of a church or an oratory with one Our Father and one Creed being recited.

A partial indulgence can be obtained any time by visiting a cemetery and praying for the Poor Souls. The following prayer is especially recommended:

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescant in pace. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.