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Hello everyone, 

Today, Sunday 26th October we have 1477 people from all over the world and from many Christian and some non-Christian denominations joining together in prayer. Our reflection this week, and for the next 4 weeks, is coming early as I'm involved in an association called the Holy Souls Crusade. This little group was started last year and is in growth phase with each Sunday in November having an afternoon of prayers, confessions, Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and the Stations of the Cross 
offered for the Holy Souls in purgatory, each at a different venue around Ireland.

The little reflection below from Bob and Debbie Gass of the The Word for Today is called 'There's power in sacrifice'

As a cradle Catholic I grew up with the concept of purgatory and the Holy Souls. I never really gave it much thought - we prayed and offered Masses for our dead in the hopes that our sacrifices would lessen their 'time' in purgatory and we just believe this to be the case. But here I am now trying to explain it all to a mixed 'audience' based on Scripture, Tradition, reason and logic. Let's look at the last two first, and bear in mind these are my own homespun ideas and I hope to God we don't have any theologians in the group!.

The concept of Purgatory is often a difficult one for non-Catholics to take on board and as a result see no reason to pray for the dead as a public offering of prayer. Let's just walk back in history to the time of Christ. Jesus was Jewish as was His Mother, His foster-father, His Apostles, His disciples and most of the early converts to Christianity. In the Jewish tradition it is commonplace to pray for the dead. Prayers are offered for a deceased parent, spouse or child for a period of 11 months and then on every anniversary. So this tradition was natural to Jesus and His followers.

Now we have to take a look at why there could possibly be such a state as purgatory. In order to answer that we have to look at sin and the different types of sin. Can murder be equated with stealing a penny from our mother's purse? Can blasphemy be equated with telling a little white lie? I'm sure there's loads more examples but the point is that there are those grievous sins which are mortal to 
the soul and those venial sins which remove us from a state of grace but do not leave our souls in peril.

Now we have to look at heaven and at hell. We know that nothing unclean can enter heaven and that those who commit serious sin without any remorse are more than likely destined for hell. Let's try
and picture the soul as a perfectly pristine white sheet without a blemish on it. That's how our souls are at baptism, but along the road of life we add stains to that lovely white soul. The greater the 
sin the darker the stain. For every sin confessed there is repentance but there must also be reparation - repairing the damage, also known as temporal penalty due to sin, and commensurate to the wrongdoing.

So, let's say a good-living person dies suddenly without the means to 'clear the slate' with God. We are imperfect beings and even to lose one's temper or engage in gossip or waste time are generally seen as little, or venial sins, depending on the damage they cause to others. Now, unless we lead lives of constant prayer, austerity and personal sacrifice, we place those little stains on the 'white sheet'. So the person who dies suddenly carries their stained soul before God's judgement and cannot enter heaven, yet certainly doesn't deserve hell. What a conundrum eh? Hence purgatory! A time of 'cleansing'. 

Of course, there are those who go straight to heaven but they are few and far between I'd say coz it's awful hard to live the life of a saint. We spoke about saints a few weeks ago and that leads on to Christ's Church. The Church was conceived by the Blood of Christ on Calvary and born at Pentecost. Those believing in Christ, baptised in the Name of the Trinity, and living by His ways become the Communion of Saints, brothers and sisters in Christ and in His Church. The Communion of Saints is made up of the living called the Church Militant, those in purgatory called the Church suffering and those in heaven called the Church Triumphant.

The Church of Christ is built on both Scriptures and Tradition, bearing in mind that the New Testament wasn't written until 65AD at the earliest and some of the books at a later date. So all that 
Christ taught and passed on by the Apostles was based on Tradition. In the catacombs were found many inscriptions asking for prayers. So the early Christians realised the need for prayer after their death.

The Early Church Fathers taught on the need to pray for the dead and the concept of a state of reparation before going to heaven. The Council of Florence defined purgatory as a doctrine of the
Faith in the early 1400's. Where it began to unravel was at the time of the Reformation when Luther separated himself from the Church because of the human greed, worldliness and the abuse of indulgences by some of the higher ecclesiastics of the day. When he stepped away from Christ's Church he also deleted 7 complete books and part of 2 others in the Old Testament, parts of the sacred writings held to be inspired by the Holy Spirit for over 1200 years by the Early Church Fathers and the many theologians since.

One of those removed was the 2nd book of  Maccabees within which is the following:

" It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins" (2 Mac 12:46)

Saint Paul was quite explicit in his words:

"For other foundation no man can lay, but that which is laid; which is Christ Jesus. Now if any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay stubble: Every man's work shall be manifest; for the day of the Lord shall declare it, because it shall be revealed in fire; and the fire shall try every man's work, of what sort it is. If any man's work abide, which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work burn, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire." (I Cor., 3: 11-15: 

And so the tradition of praying for the dead became lost to most of the Protestant churches, sadly.

And so back to the Holy Souls Crusade. November, in the Catholic Church, is traditionally given over to Masses and prayers for the Souls in Purgatory. We have organised an afternoon of prayer on each of the Sundays starting off in Knock tomorrow. If any of our Irish Prayer Warriors would like to attend, all are welcome. Space is limited in Knock as we are in a local hotel for this year. Next year we hope to see a full basilica for a National Holy Souls Crusade. 

Now that I've got my little 'advertisement' in I have another one for you. There is a website all about vocations and they wrote asking if I would promote a campaign for Christmas to present the Pope 
with 100,000 Holy Hours of Eucharistic Adoration dedicated to vocations. I know many of you pray for vocations so here's an opportunity to do a little bit more. I did up a poster and some forms for our Adoration Chapel as I know many of the adorers don't have the internet. I'm sure that is the case in other places too so I've put both the poster and the form onto the Circle of Prayer website. This will allow folk to print them off and place them in their own Adoration Chapels too, all over the world.

They have been worded in such a way as they will suit any location that speaks English. I need to get the address of where to send them in and the closing date for them to be presented in Rome, and as soon as I do I'll add that info to the form on the website. I think this is a really great idea and what nicer Christmas present can we give to the man who witnesses to his Priesthood in such an inspiring way than Pope John Paul II. You can find both at:

http://www.circleofprayer.com/vocations-poster.html
http://www.circleofprayer.com/vocations-form.html

Here's the Vocations website:

http://www.vocations.com

So there you have it - a bit of a theological ramble this week but hopefully one where the need to pray for our dead makes a bit more sense. I'm including some prayers for the Holy Souls in the prayer section below.

May God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you and yours and may Mary keep you in Her heavenly mother's care.

Mary Mullins in Galway, Ireland

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There's power in sacrifice

"...I REMEMBER YOU IN MY PRAYERS AT ALL TIMES" ROMANS 1:9 (NIV) 

In the Old Testament tabernacle, the altar of incense (prayer) was lit from the altar of sacrifice. It's a sacrifice to pray. A lady in her 90s could recall the names of people others had difficulty remembering. When asked how, she replied, 'Because I pray for them each day.' It's hard to forget somebody you're praying for, isn't it?

Paul sacrificed his will, his safety and his comfort to serve the Lord and His people. His great success can be tied to the degree to which he laid down his life for others.

There's power in sacrifice. The cross is the ultimate sacrifice - and the ultimate power. The degree to which you lay down your life for others is the degree to which you will experience God's power in 
your daily living.

Peter says we are 'a royal priesthood.' Think about that. The priesthood is about intercession and intercession is not about you. It's about others!

'But I'm trying to find myself,' you say. Listen to Jesus: 'Self-sacrifice is the way, My way, to finding yourself...' (Matthew 16:25 TM). Has God been speaking to you about the need to intercede for others? If so, do it. That could be your calling! Listen: 'I have posted watchmen on your walls...they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till He...makes [whoever you're praying for]...the Redeemed of the Lord' (Isaiah 62:6-7&12 NIV). Keep praying. God will answer! 

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Chaplet of the Holy Souls

This Chaplet can be prayed on a set of Rosary Beads.

Begin with: The Creed, then 1 Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, 1 Glory Be for the Pope’s intentions.

On Large Beads Pray: 

O holy souls draw the fire of God’s Love into my soul to reveal Jesus crucified in me, here on earth, rather than hereafter in Purgatory.

On Small Beads Pray:

Crucified Lord Jesus have mercy on the souls in Purgatory

End with: Glory Be three times

Cardinal Newman’s Prayer for the Holy Souls

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 You and Your Blessed Mother have woven for them a crown of unfolding bliss. Amen.

Prayer of St. Gertrude for the Holy Souls

Eternal Father, I offer you the Most Precious Blood of your Divine Son, 
Jesus, in union with all 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."

Prayer for Your Family

"O Dear Jesus, I humbly implore You to grant Your special graces to our family this day. In Your Divine Mercy make our home a shrine of peace, love and faith. I beg You, Dear Jesus, to protect and bless all of us and our families absent and present, living and dead. O Mary loving Mother of Jesus and our Mother, pray to Jesus the Divine Mercy for our family, and for all the families of the world. Ask Him to guard the tiny infant in the womb, the cradle of the newborn, the young in the schools and those about to start their vocations in life. Amen"

Prayer for Your Adult Children

"Heavenly Mother, keep us always in mind of Your Son's great mercy and understanding as we pray for our children. They are grown up now and have left us and are living their own lives according to their own ideals. We feel anxious and worried because they do not seem to feel the need for Christ. to understand the wisdom of His ways, or to be fully at ease with us or themselves. Intervene, dearest Mother, in their lives at the moment You know to be right and help them to understand the things that lead to their peace. Help them to see the need of Christ and to experience the greatness of His love, so that we may all proclaim as You did, that His mercy truly is from generation to generation. Amen"

Prayer for the World

"JESUS of NAZARETH has triumphed over Death. His Reign is Eternal. He is coming to conquer the
world and the time.

"Mercy, my God on those who blaspheme You,
Forgive them, they know not what they do.

"Mercy, my God, for the scandal in the world,
Deliver them from the spirit of Satan.

"Mercy, my God, on those who run away from You
Give them an appreciation for the Holy Eucharist.

"Mercy, my God, on those who come to repent at the foot of the Glorious Cross. May they find Peace and Joy in God our Saviour.

"Mercy, my God, so that Your Kingdom may come, but save souls, there is still time; for the time is near, behold, I am coming. Amen

Come, Lord Jesus."

Recite one decade of the Rosary

"Lord, pour out on the whole world the treasures of Your Infinite Mercy."

"Through the Mystery of Your Holy Incarnation,
deliver us from all evil, Lord.

Through Your Nativity,
deliver us from all evil, Lord.

Through Your Baptism and Holy Fasting,
deliver us from all evil, Lord.

Through Your Cross and Passion,
deliver us from all evil, Lord.

Through Your Death and Burial,
deliver us from all evil, Lord.

Through Your Holy Resurrection,
deliver us from all evil, Lord.

Through Your Admirable Ascension,
deliver us from all evil, Lord.

Through the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete,
deliver us from all evil, Lord.

Through Him whose Name reigns eternal,
deliver us from all evil, Lord."

Prayer of Protection

Blessed Michael the Archangel, protect us in the hour of conflict. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God restrain him, we humbly pray, and do thou, Oh Prince of the Heavenly Hosts, by the Power of God, thrust satan down to hell and with him all the wicked spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen

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All of the Reflections to date are available to read in the Archives on the website for anyone who's interested.

The Weekly Intentions are available on a plain page to be able to print off and kept to hand for your own prayer time. The list has become too long now to include each week but please say the
two wee prayers below. The Loving Father knows the heart of each person requesting prayer.

"Father, bless all those who have requested prayers in whatever it is that You know they may be needing this day! Father, we ask You to heal the broken bodies, broken minds, broken spirits, broken hearts and broken marriages and may all their lives be full of Your peace, prosperity, and power as they seek to have a close relationship with You. Amen."

"Thank You Jesus for answering our prayers because we know You hear every prayer and never refuse to answer. You are providing answers and healings from the prayers of all these wonderful people. Praise God!"

"Breathe in me O Holy Spirit that my thoughts may all be holy;
Act in me O Holy Spirit that my work, too, may be holy;
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit to defend all that is holy;
Guard me then O Holy Spirit that I always may be holy."

"O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me, tell me what I should do. Give me Your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me and to accept all that You permit to happen to me. Let me only know Your will. Amen"

May God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless and guide you and yours and may Mary keep you in Her heavenly mother's care.

Mary in Galway