How the Holy Souls Can Help Us

What the Holy Souls Can Do for Those Who Help Them
While the souls in purgatory rely on our prayers, sacrifices, and Masses to help them on their journey to heaven, they also assist us through their prayers and intercession. Although they cannot pray for themselves, they can pray for us—their benefactors—once they enter heaven.

As Father Paul O'Sullivan says: "If we only knew how great is the power of the good souls in purgatory with the Heart of God, we would never forget them, and they would not be so much forgotten." These souls, once purified, become powerful intercessors for those who have helped them with their prayers.

When we assist the souls in purgatory, they in turn become our advocates before God, offering their prayers for our needs, especially at the hour of our death. This mutual exchange of prayers between the Church Militant (those of us still on earth) and the Church Suffering (the souls in purgatory) creates a beautiful bond of charity that transcends death.

The following facts are taken directly from Read Me or Rue It and illustrate what powerful and generous friends the Holy Souls are:

How a Girl Found Her Mother

A poor servant girl in France once heard a sermon on the Holy Souls which made an indelible impression on her mind. She was deeply moved by the thought of the intense and unceasing sufferings the souls endure and horrified to see how cruelly they are neglected and forgotten by their friends on Earth. Among other things the preacher stressed was that many souls who are in reality near to their release—one Mass might suffice to set them free—are oftentimes long detained, it may be for years, just because the last needful suffrage has been withheld, forgotten, or neglected!

With her simple faith, Jeanne Marie resolved that, cost what it might cost, she would have a Mass said for them every month, especially for the soul nearest to Heaven. She earned little and it was sometimes difficult to keep her promise, but she never failed.

One day, she went to Paris with her mistress and there fell ill, so she was obliged to go to a hospital. Unfortunately, the illness proved to be a long one and her mistress had to return home, hoping that her maid would soon rejoin her. When at last the poor servant was able to leave the hospital, all she had left of her scanty earnings was one franc! What was she to do? Where to turn?

Suddenly, the thought flashed across her mind that she had not had her usual monthly Mass offered for the Holy Souls. But she had only one franc! That was little enough to buy her food. Yet, her confidence that the Holy Souls would not fail her triumphed. She made her way into a church and asked a priest, just about to say Mass, if he would offer it for the Holy Souls. He consented to do so, never dreaming that the modest alms offered was the only money the poor girl possessed.

At the conclusion of the Holy Sacrifice, our heroine left the church. A wave of sadness clouded her face; she felt utterly bewildered. A young gentleman, touched by her evident distress, asked her if she was in trouble and if he could help her. She told her story briefly and ended by saying how much she desired work. Somehow, she felt consoled at the kind way in which the young man listened to what she said and fully recovered her confidence.

"I am delighted beyond measure," he said, "to help you. I know a lady who is even now looking for a servant. Come with me," and so saying, he led her to a house not far distant and bade her ring the bell, assuring her that she would find work.

In answer to her ring, the lady of the house herself opened the door and inquired what she required.
"Madam," she said, "I have been told that you are looking for a servant. I have no work and should be glad to get the place."
The lady was amazed and replied:
"Who could have told you that I needed a servant? It was only a few minutes ago that I had to dismiss my maid, and that at a moment's notice. You did not meet her?"
"No, Madam, the person that informed me that you required a servant was a young gentleman."
"Impossible!" exclaimed the lady. "No young man, in fact no one at all, could have known that I needed a servant."
"But, Madam," the girl answered excitedly, "that is the young man who told me," pointing to a picture on the wall.
"Why, child, that is my only son, who has been dead for more than a year."
"Dead or not," asserted the girl with deep conviction in her voice, "It was he who told me to come to you, and he even led me to the door. See the scar over his eye, I would know him anywhere."

Then followed the full story of how Jeanne Marie had had Mass offered with her last franc for the Holy Souls, especially for the one nearest to Heaven. Convinced at last of the truth of what Jeanne Marie told her, the lady received her with open arms.
"Come," she said, "but not as my servant, but as my dear daughter. You have sent my darling boy to Heaven. I have no doubt that it was he who brought you to me."

How a Poor Boy Became a Bishop, Cardinal, and Saint

Peter Damian lost both father and mother shortly after his birth. One of his brothers adopted him but treated him with unnatural harshness, forcing him to work hard and giving him poor food and scanty clothing.

One day Peter found a silver piece, which represented to him a small fortune. A friend told him that he could conscientiously use it for himself as the owner could not be found. The only difficulty Peter had was to choose what he most needed, for he was in sore need of many things. While turning the matter over in his young mind, it struck him that he could do a still better thing—have a Mass said for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, especially for the souls of his dear parents.

At the cost of a great sacrifice, he put this thought into effect and had the Mass offered. The Holy Souls repaid his sacrifice most generously. From that day forward, a complete change became noticeable in his fortunes. His eldest brother, horrified at the brutal hardships the little fellow was subjected to, arranged that he be handed over to his own care. He clad him and fed him as his own child, educated and cared for him most affectionately.

Blessing followed on blessing. Peter’s wonderful talents became known, and he was rapidly promoted to the priesthood. Some time after, he was raised to the episcopacy and finally created Cardinal. Miracles attested to his great sanctity, so that after death he was canonized and made Doctor of the Church.

These wonderful graces came to him after that one Mass said for the Holy Souls.

An Adventure in the Apennines

A group of priests were called to Rome to treat of a grave business matter. They were bearers of important documents and a large sum of money was entrusted to them for the Holy Father. Aware that the Apennines, over which they had to pass, were infested by daring bandits, they chose a trusty driver. There was no tunnel through the mountains nor train in those days. They placed themselves under the protection of the Holy Souls and decided to say a De Profundis every hour for them.

When right in the heart of the mountains, the driver gave the alarm and, at the same time, lashed the horses into a furious gallop. Looking around, the priests saw fierce bandits at each side of the road with fixed rifles ready to fire. They were amazed that no shot rang out. They were completely at the mercy of the bandits.

After an hour’s headlong flight, the driver stopped and looking at the priests said:
"I cannot understand how we escaped. These desperadoes never spare anyone."
The Fathers were convinced that they owed their safety to the Holy Souls—a fact that was afterwards confirmed beyond doubt.

When their business was concluded in Rome, one of their number was detained in the Eternal City, where he was appointed chaplain to a prison. Not long after, one of the fiercest brigands in Italy was captured, condemned to death for a long series of murders, and awaited execution in this prison.

Anxious to gain his confidence, the chaplain told him of several adventures he himself had had, and finally, of his recent escape in the Apennines. The criminal manifested the greatest interest in the story. When it was ended, he exclaimed:
"I was the leader of that band. We thought that you had money and we determined to rob and murder you. An invisible force prevented each and all of us from firing, as we assuredly would have done had we been able."

The chaplain then told him of how they had placed themselves under the protection of the Holy Souls and that they ascribed their deliverance to their protection. The bandit found no difficulty in believing it. In fact, it made his conversion more easy. He died full of repentance.

How Pius IX Cured a Bad Memory

The venerable Pontiff Pius IX appointed a holy and prudent religious as Bishop of a diocese. The priest, alarmed at the responsibility put on him, begged earnestly to be excused. His protests were in vain. The Holy Father knew his merits.

Overcome with apprehension, the humble religious solicited an audience with the Pope, who received him most graciously. Once more, he pleaded earnestly to be excused but the Pope was immovable. As a last recourse, Padre Tomaso told the Holy Father that he had a very bad memory which would naturally prove to be a grave impediment in the high office put on him.

Pius IX answered with a smile:
"Your diocese is very small in comparison with the Universal Church, which I carry on my shoulders. Your cares will be very light in comparison with mine. I, too, suffered from a grave defect of memory, but I promised to say a fervent prayer daily for the Holy Souls, who, in return, have obtained for me an excellent memory. Do you likewise, dear Father, and you will have cause to rejoice."

These stories illustrate the immense power of the Holy Souls to intercede for their benefactors once they reach heaven. When we assist the Holy Souls, they in turn become powerful intercessors for us before the throne of God.