Good Works
"Come ye blessed of My Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry, and yon gave Me to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave Me to drink: I was a stranger, and you took Me in: naked, and you covered Me: sick, and you visited Me: I was in prison, and you came to Me." - Matthew 25:34-36
All good works may aid and deliver the souls in Purgatory, provided they are performed with the dispositions required, which are the state of grace, union with the merits of Jesus Christ, and the intention of disposing of them in their favor. This is the opinion of Saint Athanasius. "The souls of dead sinners," said he, "are consoled by the good works of the pious living." Therefore, for our departed brothers, make an alms of your good work; for them, take care of the sick poor, watch at the bedside of the dying, protect orphans, console widows, dry the tears of all who weep.
A piece of money given, a visit made, an affectionate word addressed to an old person lying on a bed of suffering, to a mother burdened with a large family, and to unfortunate ones wiio keep out of sight: any one of these is a good work. Press in a brotherly manner the hand of the workingman who suffers all the privations of his wife and children, who finds it hard to procure them an humble home, coarse garments, and a little bread. Patronize young apprentices; turn them aside from the road of ignorance, from dangerous and disgraceful entertainments, from reunions which corrupt the heart. Try to regulate and bless union among the poor, whom a false step has induced to live in a dishonorable way.
Exercise mercy by acquitting debts, or remitting them to persons in need, so as to prevent their ruin, or enable them to continue trade. Pardon your enemies; try to reconcile those who have been at variance; condescend to persons who suffer interior pain, to those tormented by scruples or great and strong temptations; aid and raise them when they fall.
One of the most powerful aids and one of the best works that can be practised in behalf of the suffering souls is to procure missions for their intention.
Confession, Communion, fasts, abstinences, resignation in trials, and conformity to the will of God, may also be classed with your good works. In short, such are the principal deeds that can benefit both your own soul and those detained in Purgatory.
The Bed of Sharp and Fiery Points
"I saw in a dream," says the Venerable Sister Margaret Mary, "one of our sisters who had died some time before. She told me that she suffered much in Purgatory, but that her greatest pain was caused by seeing one of her near relations precipitated into hell. At these words I awoke and felt my body so exhausted that I found difficulty in moving. As we ought not to place faith in dreams, I did not reflect greatly on this one; but the religious, notwithstanding my resolve, compelled me to do so, for she gave me no peace from that moment, and incessantly cried to me: 'Pray to God for me; offer your sufferings united to those of Jesus Christ to alleviate mine, and give me all that you do till the first Friday of May, then offer a Communion for me.' This I did with the permission of my Superior; nevertheless the pain imparted to me by this suffering soul became so great, that it would have overwhelmed me were it not for occasional relief and repose. Obedience made me retire to my bed; but I was no sooner there than it seemed she was near me and would say, ' Behold yourself in bed, at ease; cast one glance upon my couch, where I suffer intolerably.' I still see that bed, the very recollection of which makes me shudder. Both sides were of sharp and fiery points which pierced the flesh. She then told me that this was on account of her indolence and negligence in the observance of the rules. 'They rend my heart,' added she, 'and cause my most cruel suffering; for the thoughts of murmuring and disapprobation I entertained against my superiors my tongue is devoured by vermin, and they tear it continually for my uncharitable words and breaches of silence. Ah! how I would wish that all souls consecrated to God could see me so horribly tormented! If I could show them what is prepared for those who live negligently in their calling, they would tread with new ardor in their rules, and would guard against falling into those faults which make me suffer so much. At this sight I melted into tears.
"However, the poor soul continued: 'Alas! a day of exactitude to the silence of the community would heal my thirsty mouth; another passed in the practice of holy charity would cure my tongue; a third spent without a murmur or particle of disapprobation against the Superior would soothe my broken heart. But no one thinks of aiding me.' After receiving the Communion she had requested, she told me that her terrible sufferings were greatly diminished, but that her Purgatory would last still longer, and now her punishment would be that of those who live with lukewarmness in the service of God. Meanwhile I found myself exempt from the pains which she had told me would continue till she was relieved."
Practice
Make one of the acts mentioned in this day's reading, or pray for the dying.
Holy souls who are detained in Purgatory, I will not forget that by my good works I can aid you in your sufferings. I offer from this moment all the meritorious deeds that I will present to my Saviour; too happy if I can, by renouncing the fleeting and fallacious joys of this life, prove my love to Jesus Christ, hasten your deliverance, and avoid the torments that you endure. For the same intention, I offer Thee, Lord, the Indulgences of the following prayer:
Most merciful Jesus, Lover of souls! I pray Thee, by the agony of Thy Immaculate Mother, wasli in Thy Blood the sinners of the whole world, who are now in their agony and are to die this day. Amen.
Heart of Jesus, once in agony, pity the dying.
- text taken from Month of the Dead by Father Celestin Cloquet, translated by a Sister of Mercy, with the Imprimatur of Archbishop Michael Augustine Corrigan, Archdiocese of New York, 18 October 1886