To many, this month means Thanksgiving, pumpkin pie, and turkey.
However, to Catholics, November has a different meaning. The Catholic Church has assigned November to be the month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
In the calendar of the Church, every month has a special devotion. It's a lovely way to incorporate our Faith into our lives, and to celebrate different aspects of our Faith all year round.
The month of November begins with the feasts of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, the perfect way to start out this month of reflection and prayer of those departed. Many Catholics visit cemeteries during this month, and pray especially for the souls in Purgatory and for the intercession of the saints in Heaven.
November is filled with wonderful devotions and prayers. It's a time for us to reflect and really pray for those who have passed from this world.
Some good prayers for this month are:
And of course, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, one of my personal favorites.
Or a Rosary, offered up for the souls in Purgatory.
It could be anything, even just a little prayer from the heart...."God have mercy on the poor souls in Purgatory and grant them peace." I liked to offer random little inconveniences and pains for the Holy Souls, too.
It saddens me greatly that our world today seems to have forgotten all about the souls of those departed. Yes, maybe a thought here and there, a memory, but do we really pray for their souls anymore?
I don't know about you, but if I end up in Purgatory, I want people praying for my soul.
And just think: the souls that get to Heaven through your prayers will be praying and interceding for you in Heaven. Isn't that a wonderful thought?
So have a great November, and enjoy your pumpkin pie and falling leaves, and offer up a prayer now and then for your fellow Christians that haven't reached Heaven yet.
For as Padre Pio said, "We must empty Purgatory with our prayers."
God bless!
~Haley
