Prayer after the death of a dear child
O most sorrowful mother, Your only Son was called the fairest of all the sons of men. You lost him in death on Calvary. Mary, my child is gone now too; in this earthly life I shall never see my dear one again. And still I would not have it otherwise, because I know that you and your Divine Son wished to take my child away young and pure and innocent before this world had cast the shadow of sin upon them, I thank you, Mary, for the assurance that my child is safe with you.
Yet, dear Mother, I must carry on here below. I ask that strength and comfort which you alone can give. May I be worthy, like you, to be faithful to the end. Amen.
At the cross your station keeping,
mournful Mother you stood weeping,
close to Jesus to the last.
Mother of love, of sorrow and of mercy, pray for us.
"The Holy Souls are eager for the prayers of the faithful which can gain indulgences for them. Their intercession is powerful. Pray unceasingly. We must empty Purgatory!" -Saint Pio
At the cross your station keeping,
mournful Mother you stood weeping,
close to Jesus to the last.
Mother of love, of sorrow and of mercy, pray for us.
Prayer of Blessed John Henry Newman
O most gentle Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory, have mercy on the souls of Your servants. Bring them from the shadows of exile to Your bright home in Heaven, where we trust that You and Your Blessed Mother have woven for them a crown of unfolding bliss. Amen.
Always remember that anything we do to help the Holy Souls is an act of charity and it is one done to those who are the most in need of our assistance since they can no longer help themselves, and are utterly dependent on us to help them.
To help the Holy Souls in Purgatory:
1. Have Masses offered for them.
2. Pray the Rosary and and the Chaplet for the Holy Souls.
3. Pray the Stations of the Cross.
4. Offer up little sacrifices and fast.
5. Spread devotion to them.
6. Attend Eucharistic Adoration and pray for them.
7. Gain all the indulgences you can, and apply them to the Holy Souls.
2. Pray the Rosary and and the Chaplet for the Holy Souls.
3. Pray the Stations of the Cross.
4. Offer up little sacrifices and fast.
5. Spread devotion to them.
6. Attend Eucharistic Adoration and pray for them.
7. Gain all the indulgences you can, and apply them to the Holy Souls.
Visit to a Cemetery
An indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed. The indulgence is plenary each day from the 1st to the 8th of November; on other days of the year it is partial.
Visit to a Church or Oratory on All Souls Day, November 2nd
A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who on the day dedicated to the Commemoration of all the faithful departed piously visit a church or a public oratory and recite one Our Father and the Creed.
Recite the Rosary
When praying the Rosary, reserve, if possible, one decade to pray for these Poor Souls. If you are able, say an entire Rosary exclusively for their release, at least in November. Our Lady is the Queen of Heaven and earth, and of the Holy Souls in Purgtaory.
Saint Nicholas (Carruti) of Tolentine (1245-1305) - Patron Saint of the Holy Souls
Nicholas was a simple priest and Augustinian friar who touched the lives of many. His spirit of prayer, penance and devotion to the Holy Souls was notable. He often fasted and performed other works of penance, spending long hours in prayer. He received visions, including images of Purgatory, which friends ascribed to his lengthy fasts. He had a great devotion to the recently dead, praying for the souls in Purgatory as he travelled around his parish, and often late into the night. The story is told that Nicholas, while asleep in bed, heard the voice of a deceased friar he had known. This friar told Nicholas that he was in Purgatory, and urged him to celebrate the Eucharist for him and other souls there, so that they would be set free by the power of Christ. Nicholas did so for seven days. The friar again spoke to Nicholas, thanking him and assuring him that a large number of souls were now with God. In 1884 Saint Nicholas of Tolentine was proclaimed Patron Saint of the Holy Souls in Purgatory by Pope Leo XIII.
Feast Day: 10th September
Prayer to St Nicholas for the Deceased
Saint Nicholas, you were attentive to the pleas of many needy souls and through your prayer and penance you hastened their enjoyment of the vision of God. Look with compassion on our beloved deceased, and obtain for them by your prayers the full forgiveness of their sins so that they may experience the happiness and peace of the Father’s presence. Amen.
Jesus and Mary, I love you, save souls! (x 3)
Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, pray for us.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Saint Nicholas (Carruti) of Tolentine (1245-1305) - Patron Saint of the Holy Souls
Nicholas was a simple priest and Augustinian friar who touched the lives of many. His spirit of prayer, penance and devotion to the Holy Souls was notable. He often fasted and performed other works of penance, spending long hours in prayer. He received visions, including images of Purgatory, which friends ascribed to his lengthy fasts. He had a great devotion to the recently dead, praying for the souls in Purgatory as he travelled around his parish, and often late into the night. The story is told that Nicholas, while asleep in bed, heard the voice of a deceased friar he had known. This friar told Nicholas that he was in Purgatory, and urged him to celebrate the Eucharist for him and other souls there, so that they would be set free by the power of Christ. Nicholas did so for seven days. The friar again spoke to Nicholas, thanking him and assuring him that a large number of souls were now with God. In 1884 Saint Nicholas of Tolentine was proclaimed Patron Saint of the Holy Souls in Purgatory by Pope Leo XIII.
Feast Day: 10th September
Prayer to St Nicholas for the Deceased
Saint Nicholas, you were attentive to the pleas of many needy souls and through your prayer and penance you hastened their enjoyment of the vision of God. Look with compassion on our beloved deceased, and obtain for them by your prayers the full forgiveness of their sins so that they may experience the happiness and peace of the Father’s presence. Amen.
Jesus and Mary, I love you, save souls! (x 3)
Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, pray for us.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
A plenary indulgence is granted, if the Rosary is recited in a church or public oratory or in "a family group, a religious Community or pious Association; (a partial indulgence is granted in other circumstances).