Remember the Poor Souls - Diocese of Scranton

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Todays post is here to remind Catholics that All Souls Day is fast approaching. Those of my readers with a Novus Ordo attachment undoubtedly have not heard this mentioned in your parishes yet, unless you're having a piggie dinner or something on that day.

The Catholic custom is that when we die, our loved ones pray for our souls. And continue to pray for our souls until they die.

Because we need their prayers.

We are not dead when we die, but alive in Christ, and our loved ones help us with their prayers after we die.

We should pray for our dearly departed everyday, but the octave of All Souls is put aside by Holy Mother Church to pray for them and to gain indulgences for ourselves.

PLENARY INDULGENCES FOR THE POOR SOULS

Six General rules for obtaining a plenary indulgence:

1. State of grace at when performing the indulgenced act.
2. Complete detachment from sin, even venial sin.
3. Confession (20 days before or after the indulgenced act)
4. Communion (20 days before or after the indulgenced act)
5. Prayers for the Supreme Pontiff (20 days before or after the indulgenced act)
6. Indulgenced act: a special good work with special conditions of place and time.

Indulgenced acts to be performed for obtaining a plenary indulgence:
*From November 1 to 8: visit of a cemetery with mental prayer for the poor souls.
*On November 2: visit of a church or an oratory with one Our Father and one Creed being recited.

A partial indulgence can be obtained any time by visiting a cemetery and praying for the Poor Souls. The following prayer is especially recommended:

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescant in pace. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

POOR SOULS NOVENA

Starting on October 24th, and continuing until November 2nd,  you may say this novena once a day:

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of thy servants and handmaids departed, the remission of all their sins; that through pious supplications they may obtain the pardon they have always desired. Who livest and reignest with God the Father in unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.