Creepy Turns Supernatural

Alone, cold, in a dark, eerie seminary, my paper shakes as I shiver from the combination of chilling winds and some understandable late night cemetery paranoia. I complete the simple steps of praying the St. Gertrude for the Holy Souls in Purgatory Prayer; an Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be for the intentions of the Holy Father. I previously went to Confession and received Communion.

And as I finish the last words of my prayer, it seemed like the earth and heaven intersect. Overwhelmed with joy, I knew my simple act just changed the life of a soul for better forever. I just did my part to release another soul from purgatory.

And it was so easy.

And it was so significant, the more important thing I did that day. And it meant everything to that soul. It was something that soul would never forget; I made a friend in high places for eternity. And I look forward to doing it again every year during this mystical All Souls / All Saints octave plenary indulgence.

I invite you to join me this week—November 1st through November 8th — to participate in the plenary indulgence by praying for the dead. It’s one of those Catholic traditions you absolutely don’t want to miss. Make it a part of you and your family’s lifestyle and I promise you that you will be greeted by a mob of grateful souls as you enter the kingdom of heaven.

Catholic Women’s Guide to Healthy Relationships Tip: Visit a cemetery each day November 1st through the 8th and meet the requirements below to release eight souls from purgatory.

HELP RELEASE SOULS FROM PURGATORY

A plenary (full or complete) indulgence can be gained for a soul in purgatory each day from November 1st though November 8th by visiting a cemetery and praying for the dead.

Here is a sample of what you can do beginning Nov. 1. Go to Mass (where you will receive Jesus in the Eucharist), then go to Calvary Cemetery (or any other cemetery), and pray for the dead (the person you are offering the indulgence for need not be buried in the cemetery you choose to visit). When you arrive, simply say “I offer the indulgence gained today for ________.” (If you don’t have a specific soul to pray for you can say “for an unnamed soul in purgatory who is in great need of my prayers”.) Then say a prayer for the souls in purgatory. (Here is an example though any prayer you know would suffice):

Prayer of St. Gertrude for the Holy Souls in purgatory:
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.

Then pray for the intentions of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI (one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory be). you are finished.

You need to go to Confession once within 8 days either before or after Nov. 1.

The indulgence can be gained for a different soul each day from Nov 1 through Nov 8; however, you only need to go to confession and communion once during that time, not each day.

Therefore, the next day, you would just repeat the visit to the cemetery and choose a different soul to intercede for.

Do not worry about praying for for a soul that someone else is praying for. No prayer goes unanswered. For instance, if we pray for someone who has already reached heaven, she/he would apply the prayer and/or indulgence to a poor soul in Purgatory. Our prayers are never lost.