How We Can Help the Holy Souls

The Importance of Praying for the Dead

The tradition of praying for the dead dates back to the earliest days of the Church. Judas Maccabeus made offerings for the dead, showing that it is a “holy and pious thought” to pray for those who have passed away (2 Macc 12:46). This practice continues today as the Church teaches the importance of interceding for the dead (CCC 1478).

The souls in purgatory rely on our prayers and sacrifices. No prayer is ever wasted; even if prayers are offered for those already in heaven, the graces benefit other souls. By performing acts of charity and prayer, we engage in one of the greatest acts of mercy.

Recite this prayer often for loved ones and all those who have passed:
"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace."

Gaining Indulgences for the Holy Souls

Indulgences can be applied to the souls in purgatory to alleviate their suffering and hasten their entry into heaven (CCC 1032). The Church offers both plenary and partial indulgences. The conditions for gaining a plenary indulgence include:

• Being in a state of grace

• Receiving sacramental confession

• Receiving Holy Communion

• Praying for the Pope’s intentions

• Having complete detachment from all sin

View Indulgence Manual

Offering Masses & Sacrifices

The most powerful aid we can give to the souls in purgatory is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (CCC 1032). Offering Masses for the dead unites their purification to Christ’s redemptive work.

Gregorian Masses: A series of 30 consecutive Masses offered for a deceased person is especially powerful in assisting souls in Purgatory.

• Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception

• Franciscan Missions

Additionally, small daily sacrifices can be offered for the souls in purgatory, easing their suffering and bringing them closer to heaven.

Prayers & Devotions for the Holy Souls

One of the most common and powerful prayers is the Eternal Rest prayer:
"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace."

The Powerful St. Gertrude Prayer: Tradition holds that this prayer can release 1,000 souls from purgatory each time it is prayed.
"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."

Devotions like the Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and the Stations of the Cross, offered for the holy souls, bring them immense comfort and hasten their journey toward heaven.

All Souls' Day (November 2) is dedicated to praying for the dead, and Catholics are encouraged to visit cemeteries, pray for the dead, and gain indulgences for the souls in purgatory during the first eight days of November.

• Read Me or Rue It

• How To Avoid Purgatory

Purgatorial Societies
Purgatorial Societies are powerful spiritual communities dedicated to praying for the souls in purgatory. By enrolling in these societies, you ensure that your loved ones continually benefit from prayers, sacrifices, and Masses offered on their behalf. These societies provide a network of mutual intercession, strengthening the entire Body of Christ and helping the souls in purgatory achieve heaven.

How to Offer Masses for the Holy Souls
You can offer a Mass for the souls in purgatory by requesting one through your local parish or organizations such as the Purgatorial Society. Below are some places where you can offer Gregorian and Requiem Masses or enroll in a Purgatorial Society:

• Gregorian Masses:

  • Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception

  • Franciscan Missions

  • Aid to the Church in Need

  • Society of the Divine Word

  • Our Lady of Angels Association

  • Missionaries of the Holy Family

  • Seraphic Mass Association

• Enroll in Purgatorial Societies:

  • Purgatorial Society of St. Andrew Abellino

  • New York Purgatorial Society

  • St. Gregory Purgatorial Society

  • St. Bernadette Purgatorial Society

  • Holy Family Purgatorial Society

  • Queen of Angels & St. Joseph Parish Purgatorial Society

Sacrifices for the Souls in Purgatory
In addition to Masses, our daily sacrifices, sufferings, and acts of charity can benefit the holy souls. By willingly enduring hardships with the intention of helping them, we offer relief from their purification. St. John Chrysostom reminds us, “Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father’s sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation?”

This spiritual work of mercy provides immense relief to souls in purgatory and helps them reach heaven more quickly.