A Devotion for Monday:
The Prayer of Saint Gertrude for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family.
Amen.
A PRAYER FOR THE FORGOTTEN DEAD
A Monday Devotion
We must always remember the dead. The Holy Souls in Purgatory are guaranteed heaven, however, they cannot pray for themselves. For that, they need us.
Today's new-church funeral services place the emphasis on the celebration of life, the idea "Grandma is making meatballs up in heaven for everybody" idea. When, in fact, poor Grandma might be cooking, but not meatballs, in purgatory. In the old Requiem Mass, emphasis was placed upon the soul in need of salvation; it did not assume that the person already achieved the beatific vision.
So, it is essential that we continue to pray for the dead, now, even more than in the past.
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD
God our Father,
Your power brings us to birth,
Your providence guides our lives,
and by Your command we return to dust.
Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,
their lives change but do not end.
I pray in hope for my family,
relatives and friends,
and for all the dead known to You alone.
In company with Christ,
Who died and now lives,
may they rejoice in Your kingdom,
where all our tears are wiped away.
Unite us together again in one family,
to sing Your praise forever and ever.
Amen