Jesus said to the crowds:“Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. 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.”
REFLECTION
"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.”
As I sit here in adoration chapel contemplating the significance of All Souls' Day, I wonder how many people sat in this same chair and prayed for their loved ones and themselves.
As our walk in life takes us on a path travelled too often or opens up new adventures, we are preparing for our final destination. How many have arrived but the door to heaven is not yet opened.
Dying in the state of Grace is the prerequisite for us to see God. Souls need to be purged of any stains of sin before entering Heaven. Purgatory is a gift from God where mercy envelops justice. We have a fraternal duty to hasten their deliverance by praying and sacrificing. Though they cannot pray for themselves these souls can pray for us. It’s a win/win situation.
On November 2, one can seek a plenary indulgence by visiting any church and pray an Our Father and the Creed for the faithful departed. To obtain plenary indulgence for these souls, during the octave of November 1-8 we are guided by our Mother the Church….
During the octave of All Saints Day (November 1-November 8) we can gain one daily plenary indulgence (a remission of temportal punishment for sins that have already been forgiven) for the departed souls if the following conditions are observed.
Visit a cemetery.
Make a sacramental confession within twenty days before or after.
Receive Holy Communion for each plenary indulgence within twenty days before or after.
Pray for the Pope's intentions. Usually one Our Father, Creed or Hail Mary at each visit.
Be detached from any desire to sin.
Let us not forget to pray daily for the Souls in Purgatory
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