Greetings on this the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed
(All Souls)
Readings: Wis 3:1-9; PS 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; Rom 6:3-9; Jn 6:37-40
Notes: Today’s Mass is the Official Prayer of the Church for the Suffering Souls.
There is an intimate union between the church militant and the church suffering.
Helping them on their way.
The work of the Church is not completed until every soul who in some fashion declares G-d and the need for forgiveness shall complete their journey to the beatific vision and eternal bliss.
By our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in suffrage (intercessory prayers), we are petitioning the Lord for the benefit of the Suffering Soul.
Heavenly Hosts Petition
- Blessed Mother.
- Saints of Heaven.
- Angels as agents of the Lord in love with His humans seeking to render aid.
Militant Church Petitions
- Catholic burial.
- Blessing of the body and of the place of commendation with Holy Water.
- Holy Mass for the benefit of the Suffering Soul (The Blood of Jesus and the Propitation Sacrifice).
- Holy Communion for the benefit of the Suffering Soul.
- Burning of blessed candles (modest).
- Adorning the graves of the dead (modest).
Reference: Charity for the Suffering Souls by Rev John A. Nageleisen, TAN Books, 1982.
Reflection (by Franciscanmedia)
Whether or not one should pray for the dead is one of the great arguments which divide Christians. Appalled by the abuse of indulgences in the Church of his day, Martin Luther rejected the concept of purgatory. Yet prayer for a loved one is, for the believer, a way of erasing any distance, even death. In prayer we stand in God’s presence in the company of someone we love, even if that person has gone before us into death.
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/commemoration-of-all-the-faithful-departed
First reading
The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Responsorial Psalm
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Second reading
For a dead person has been absolved from sin.
If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
Alleluia Verse
Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Gospel Portion
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.
Therefore, by the will of the Father, pray for the Suffering Souls of Purgatory.
Lord, by my own prayer,
fasting and almsgiving,
in union with Christ’ perfect gift,
bring relief and release for the Suffering Souls.
Amen.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 