PAIN OF HELPLESSNESS AND DESOLATION
The souls in Purgatory have entered into the realm of Divine Justice. The penance and satisfaction due for their faults must be made, either by the pain of Purgatory itself, or by the suffrages of the faithful, consisting in prayer, good works, and the spiritual treasure of indulgences bestowed upon them; for the suffering souls can no longer merit, and are entirely unable to assist themselves. A sick man and a beggar have a tongue to ask for help, and the very sight of their misery will move others to compassion. The suffering souls, however, have no resource but that of patience, resignation, and hope. To all their moans there is but one answer, “the night hath come, in which no man can work."
Hence in their extreme desolation and distress, they incessantly cry out to us for relief and assistance; but since they cannot do this in a manner perceptible to us, holy Church does it for them, by instituting many touching devotions in their behalf. Can we, then, be cold and heartless towards these souls? — "A hard heart will fare evil at the last." Be not then indifferent to your own interests.
Prayer : Have mercy, O Lord, upon the suffering souls in Purgatory, in their helplessness and desolation. Comfort them by the prayers and petitions of the angels and the just in Heaven and upon earth; shorten the time of their suffering, and reward them with joys eternal. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Special Intercession : Pray for the most forsaken and helpless souls.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them; may they rest in peace. Amen.
(Three times)
Practice : Deny yourself a little comfort, or some special consolation, and offer it for the most forsaken souls in Purgatory.
Invocation : My Jesus, mercy!
