The Holy Souls in Purgatory at 138 Marcia Place, #1, San Antonio, TX 78209 US - Home
WELCOME TO THE HOLY SOULS WEBSITE...
...A place they can hope to find caring friends like you online.
True friends go from finding out that their friends are suffering, to taking concrete steps to relieve their sufferings.
On this site you will find information about Purgatory. What the Church teaches about it; what the Saints have reported about it and what steps you can take to help relieve their sufferings.
The online Calendar schedules Church events throughout the year.
Visitors might wish to sign up for our online mailing list for special news.
We hope you enjoy reading about and praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
They in turn will be so appreciative of your help and prayers offered on their behalf, and will be quick to reward you once they enter heaven.
INTRODUCTION TO THE HOLY SOULS...
Catechism of the Catholic Church's Teachings on Purgatory:
Paragraph # 1030
All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.
Paragraph # 1031
The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certian texts of Scripture,speaks of a cleansing fire. (1 Cor.3:15; 1 Peter1:7)
"As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come." (St. Gregory the Great)
HOW IMPORTANT IS THE MASS FOR THE POOR SOULS RELIEF?
The first account of this ministry to the poor souls, given by St. Padre Pio's assistant Fr. Allesio Parente, records that Padre Pio, shortly after his ordination to the priesthood in 1910, was celebrating Mass in his home town of Pietrelcina. The old parish priest had been dead for some years and was replaced by another who had been a former theology teacher of Padre Pio. It was customary for the priest to vest behind the altar which Padre Pio did each day. Then one day, the pastor arranged his vestments at the side of the altar rather than at the back and asked that he vest there which he did. Later on Padre Pio asked the pastor the reason for this change and he was told that for a number of days at the hour and for the duration of Padre Pio's Mass, the present pastor had seen his old pastor kneeling on the the prie-dieu behind the main altar. He would remain in that position in devout recollection during Padre Pio's Mass and would then disappear. He was also seen by the sacristan/bell ringer kneeling in devout prayer on the altar steps in the small church of Saint Pio Martyr, which was nearby. Padre Pio had also seen in the distance a preist kneeling there in prayer, but as it was a view from the back, he did not recognize him. 1
A POOR SOUL'S STORY FROM WORLD WAR I ERA...
St. Padre Pio tells the story of an occasion when in San Giovanni Rotunda he and another Friar were sitting one evening by the fire in the guest room, visiting with the Friar's sister who had come in from out of town. The Friar and his sister left the room temporarily to say the rosary in Church, leaving Padre Pio alone by the fire. "I was absorbed in prayer", says Padre Pio, "when the door opened and an old man came in, dressed in the traditional mantle commonly worn by the elderly people of San Giovanni Rotundo, and he sat beside me. I looked at him but never thought of how he had managed to get into the Friary at that hour. I asked him: 'Who are you? What do you want?' The man answered: 'Padre Pio, I am (name given). I died in this Friary on September 18, 1908 in room #4 when the Friary was a Home for the Elderly. In bed one night I fell asleep smoking a cigar, the bed caught fire and I suffocated and burned alive. I am still in Purgatory, and I need a Mass to free my soul from it. God has given me permission to come to you to ask for your prayers.' After I had listened to his story, I said: 'You can rest assured that I will celebrate Mass tomorrow for your liberation."
HOW BLESSED MOTHER INTERCEDED for A POOR SOUL...
The Saints tell us that the Blessed Virgin often intervenes for her 'clients' when they stand before God at the Judgement Seat.
The story is told of a holy person who constantly prayed for the poor souls, known and unknown to her. In her home town there lived a woman named Mary who was considered to be of ill repute, so upon her death people had presumed her soul damned and her funeral was not very edifying; even the holy person who always prayed for the dead, failed to pray for her, presuming her soul to be 'lost'.
DOING ONE'S PURGATORY ON EARTH...
A question was asked of Padre Pio about how one might perform their purgatory here on earth instead of having to do so in the next life and thus be able to enter Heaven immediately after death. Padre replied: "By accepting everything from God's hands. By offering everything up to Him with ...
PADRE PIO'S SPIRITUAL CHILDREN...
Padre Pio's Covenant with God on behalf of his Spiritual Children: Padre Pio was particularly concerned that everybody should enter Paradise. He told one of his spiritual children that, "I have made a covenant with God. After my soul is purified in Purgatory and is then worthy to ...
Keeping the Promise of Masses for Poor Souls
Blessed Suso promised a friend that he would celebratetwo Masses each week for a whole year if his friend died first.But years later when his friend died, he forgot his promise and remembered him only in his prayers and offered his mortifications for him. One evening while meditating, he saw th ...
Masses for the Poor Souls
God was pleased to manifest to a holy religious, Jonhn of Alvernia, the admirable and consolling effect of the divine sacrifice offered on All Souls Day upon every altar. He saw Purgatory opened and many souls coming forward who were delivered by the sacrifice of propitiation. They resembled ...
A POOR SOUL RETURNS TO SEEK HELP...
A Poor Soul Visits Holy Love Shrine: http://www.holylove.org
(Visionary: " I see an old woman in charred clothing and I smell smoke. She has appeared many times before but has never spoken.")
"All praise be to Jesus - Glory to Mary, Queen and Mother. I come as I have been sent - to dictate to you messages about Purgatory. Do not reject this grace."
Poor Soul: "Because this is a place which prepares the soul to be in God’s Presence, it is also a place of separation from God, and this is the greatest suffering of all. The soul, at his last judgment, is in God’s Presence, and even temporary separation from this Perfect, Eternal Love is agonizing."
"The prayer that moves the souls most rapidly through Purgatory is the Holy Mass; next is the Holy Rosary. No one needs to believe in Purgatory to be assigned there. Purgatory is a reality - does exist - and disbelief is not an avoidance of this place of reparation. Disbelief, however, if it is dictated by your tenets of faith, can be a reason for a longer stay."
Communion of Saints
The Communion of Saints is made up of those living on earth, those in Heaven and those in Purgatory. All form one big family and are united together in a very special way. Therefore the sufferings and joys of the one are those of all the others. The triumphs of the saints, the sufferings of the ...
INDULGENCES FOR THE POOR SOULS
The Church teaches that the Communion of Saints is the spiritual union which binds together the faithful on earth, the souls in purgatory and the saints in heaven in the unity of the Mystical Body under Christ the Head. Each November 1, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints ...
IS DEATH SOMETHING TO BE SCARED OF?
Seen in the light of God, Death need not be a scary thing but rather a warm encounter with the one we love and have served in our lives."..not a sunset but a beautiful dawn, the forerunner to eternal life with God. "The saints see it as a time when the heart is filled with God, death no ...
IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO DREAM ABOUT THE DECEASED!
The story is told about a lady who approached Padre Pio about her brother's death. She asked if he would intercede for her so that she could 'dream' of him, but Padre rebuked her saying, "Let's live in the real world, not in dreams." However, she insisted, and later she dreamt of her ...
TEARS ARE NOT ENOUGH TO HELP THE DEPARTED!
Writing to a spiritual daughter on the death of her departed loved one, Padre Pio pointed out that 'tears' for the departed are not enough to help the soul, but prayers are needed for the soul to be helped in the other world. He said, "I received your letter...if you think it best you can ...
ANOTHER STORY OF A POOR SOUL
The story is told of one who lost their brother in battle and anxiously asked Padre Pio whether he had saved his soul." Padre, looking sternly said: "If the mercy of God were as you believe it to be, all men would be in Hell. Yes, he is saved and needs your prayers." ...
ANOTHER STORY OF A POOR SOUL
A lady whose priest brother died approached Padre Pio about where her brother had gone. "He is saved, but we must pray." Six months later she asked the same question to which Padre Pio replied "My daughter, we priests have more responsibility before God, and when we appear before ...
St. Gertrude Helps the Poor Souls
Knowing how good and holy is the practice of helping the poor souls, St. Gertrude did so much for the souls in purgatory all during her life. The following story is very interesting indeed: " On her deathbed, Saint Gertrude was berated by the devil for having used the merits of her good works ...
QUEEN OF PURGATORY
The story is told of the venerable Sr. Paola di Santa Teresa, who in an ecstasy one Saturday, was taken to Purgatory where she saw it completely illuminaed as if for a special feast. Then she saw the Blessed Virgin surrounded by a vast multitude of angels. Our Lady gave instructions to the angesl to ...
Help from the Holy Souls...
The Holy Souls are our dear friends and are always ready and willing to help us in our daily lives. Many favors have been received through their intercession with God on our behalf. They are incapable of helping themselves and so rely on us to help them. Our Lord once said to St. Gertrude, ...
SOULS IN PURGATORY REPLY
During a discussion on the topic, Padre Pio was of the opinion that the Souls in Purgatory repay our prayers offered for them. His spiritual director Padre Agostino who was present was in agreement and said: "Let's always pray for the souls in Purgatory and we shall surely receive something in ...
Another Story of Help from the Poor Souls
A businessman in Boston USA joined the Association of the Holy Souls and gave a large sum of money annually requesting that prayers and Masses be offered for the Holy Souls. The director of the associaton was surprised at the man's generosity, knowing that he was not a rich man. He asked one day if ...
A Pope and the Poor Souls
Venerable Pontiff Pius IX appointed a certain religious Father Thomas, as bishop of a diocese. The bishop-elect, alarmed by the responsibility placed on his shoulders, earnestly begged to be freed from this appointment. His protests were in vain; the Holy Father knew his merits. Overcome with ...
ST. JOSEPH, PATRON OF HAPPY DEATH
Padre Pio tells the story of an army officer, after spending a number of years in Purgarory, presented himself at the gates of Paradise, where Saint Peter, as soon as he saw him, admonished him: "It's too soon! You still have to do a few thousand years!" On hearing these words, the ...
Another Saint Joseph Story
Padre Pio, as he walked in the garden one evening told this story: "One day the Lord was walking around Paradise, when he found many ugly faces which absolutely should not have been present in that place, which is so full of all that is good and devoid of all that is evil. So the keeper of ...
SAINT ANTONINUS AND HIS FRIEND....
St. Antoninus, the illustrious archbishop of Florence, relates that a pious gentleman died, who was a great friend of the Dominican friary in which the saint resided. Many Masses and suffrages were offered for his soul. Despite all this, Saint Antoninus was very much afflicted. After a lapse ...
ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX AND THE LITTLE WAY
ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX AND THE LITTLE WAY
VATICAN CITY, 6 APR 2011 (VIS) - In his general audience in St. Peter's Square today, attended by more than 10,000 people, Benedict XVI dedicated his catechesis to St. Therese of Lisieux, or St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, "who lived in this world for only twenty-four years at the end of the nineteenth century, leading a very simple and hidden life, but who, after her death and the publication of her writings, became one of the best-known and loved saints".
"Little Therese", the Pope continued, "never failed to help the most simple souls, the little ones, the poor and the suffering who prayed to her, but also illuminated all the Church with her profound spiritual doctrine, to the point that the Venerable John Paul II, in 1997, granted her the title of Doctor of the Church ... and described her as an 'expert in scientia amoris'. Therese expressed this science, in which all the truth of the faith is revealed in love, in her autobiography 'The Story of a Soul', published a year after her death".
Therese was born in 1873 in Alencon, France. She was the youngest of the nine children of Louis and Zelie Martin, and was beatified in 2008. Her mother died when she was four years old, and Therese later suffered from a serious nervous disorder from which she recovered in 1886 thanks to what she later described as "the smile of the Virgin". In 1887 she made a pilgrimage to Rome with her father and sister, where she asked Leo XIII for permission to enter Carmel of Lisieux, at just fifteen years of age. Her wish was granted a year later; however, at the same time her father began to suffer from a serious mental illness, which led Therese to the contemplation of the Holy Face of Christ in his Passion. In 1890 she took her vows. 1896 marked the beginning of a period of great physical and spiritual suffering, which accompanied her until her death.
In those moments, "she lived the faith at its most heroic, as the light in the shadows that invade the soul" the Pope said. In this context of suffering, living the greatest love in the littlest things of daily life, the Saint realised her vocation of becoming the love at the heart of the Church".
She died in the afternoon of 30 September, 1897, uttering the simple words, "My Lord, I love You!". "These last words are the key to all her doctrine, to her interpretation of the Gospel", the Pope emphasised. "The act of love, expressed in her final breath, was like the continued breathing of the soul ... The words 'Jesus, I love You' are at the centre of all her writings".
St. Therese is "one of the 'little ones' of the Gospel who allow themselves to be guided by God, in the depth of His mystery. A guide for all, especially for... theologians. With humility and faith, Therese continually entered the heart of the Scriptures which contain the Mystery of Christ. This reading of the Bible, enriched by the science of love, does not oppose academic science. The 'science of the saints', to which she refers on the final page of 'The Story of a Soul', is the highest form of science".
"In the Gospel, Therese discovers above all the Mercy of Jesus ... and 'Trust and Love' are therefore the end point of her account of her life, two words that, like beacons, illuminated her saintly path, in order to guide others along the same 'little way of trust and love', of spiritual childhood. Her trust is like that of a child, entrusting herself to the hands of God, and inseparable from her strong, radical commitment to the true love that is the full giving of oneself", the Holy Father concluded.
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OUR HEAVENLY FATHER...
December 24, 2010
VISIONARY: "I see a great Flame above a globe of the earth. A voice says: "I Am God the Father. I come to envelope the world with My Divine Will which is Divine Love. I come to correct and to remonstrate those who do not live ...
Jesus' Message for the World...
December 31, 2010: I am your Jesus, born Incarnate."
"These are My hopes for the coming New Year:" "That all Church and government leaders will know their place before God and live in the truth of Holy Love." "That families remain united and live in Holy ...
Divine Mercy Sunday 2011
May 1, 2011 Divine Mercy Sunday - Midnight Service at the United Hearts Field
Jesus is here as He is in the Divine Mercy Image, and He has His Holiness Pope John Paul II with Him. The Pope says: "Praise be to Jesus." Jesus says: "I am your Jesus, born Incarnate.
"My Mercy is from age to age - from generation to generation and reaches from horizon to horizon. It falls upon all people and all nations. It cannot be ruled against by man nor judged unworthy of belief, for its origin remains Divine. Please understand that this Mission of Holy Love is part of My Mercy."
"Where darkness pervades the world, it does so, for the darkness in hearts remains unchallenged by the Light of Truth. Here, at this site, I have come to invite all humanity into the Light of Truth. Here is the Truth. The key to peace, security and prosperity is Divine Love and Divine Mercy. But it is not enough for Me to tell you this, and for you to hear it and believe it. You must live it. Become mercy and love. Only then can you bring the Light of Truth into the world around you. Only then can the world be transformed into the New Jerusalem. This Light of Truth is the Kingdom to come - the Kingdom of My Father's Divine Will."
"All of the natural disasters and the man-made disasters such as corrupt leadership and economic crisis are present and dominate the world today, for the Light of Truth has not been accepted and acted upon. This is the action of free will choices, for mankind fails to see Satan's compromises or even his attacks."
"My brothers and sisters, please understand that My repeated apparitions to you here and Heaven's continual intervention are a sign of caring concern for the world situation and for each one of you. Your prayers are being heard. You do not see the subtle changes taking place in many hearts - changes which will bring stability where there has been chaos."
"My brothers and sisters, never side with power versus truth. Truth is the champion of the cause of the New Jerusalem - a goal I bid you work towards. You can and will live in the New Jerusalem if you always embrace the truth which is Holy Love."
"Tonight I desire that all people, and consequently all nations, turn with trust to My Merciful Heart. The more you trust, the more My Mercy and Love will overflow into your hearts. Desire this so that we can be united."
"My brothers and sisters, thank you for believing. Many spirits will be liberated tonight, and many will believe that did not believe before. I have come to pour My Merciful Love into the world. You must take it to others and be My Merciful Love to others."
"My Pope, John Paul II, is extending to you his Papal Blessing, and I am blessing you with My Blessing of Divine Love."
GOD SPEAKS TO HEART OF THE WORLD
May 16, 2011 "I am your Jesus, born Incarnate."
"I must ask you to spread this Message as you do all the others - to all people - all nations. In your area of the world, you are experiencing record flooding. People scurry to protect their property, life and limb. Today, I tell you in all truth, that souls are in jeopardy to a far greater extent than properties and lives are here. You must shore up the righteousness of Holy Love in your hearts. Your prayers and sacrifices are the sandbags you need to stem the rising tide of justice."
"Do not be caught off guard by complacency, for I am here now telling you, solemnly, the dangers around you are on the increase. Pray for the heart of Noah which was sober and alert. Just as the Father warned him of impending danger, I am warning you. Noah responded despite opposition and ridicule. You must be the ones who listen today. Help Me to draw all people and all nations into the ark of My Mother's Heart which is Holy Love. It is through Holy Love - My Mother's Heart - you can be at peace."
"Let My words to you be a ray of light amidst the clouds of confusion."
"My brothers and sisters, claim your citizenship in My Mother's Immaculate Heart, which is your spiritual refuge. Give Her sovereignty over your thoughts, words and deeds. I tell you, this is My call to every heart, not just one heart. It is My call to the heart of the world."
"I'm blessing you with My Blessing of Divine Love."
PURIFICATION FOR ETERNAL LIFE
September 20, 2011 "I am your Jesus, born Incarnate."
"I have come to help all to see that no one can enter eternal life outside of purification. Holy Love is the means of purification. This is why this Mission is so much a preparation for the New Jerusalem, both in Heaven and on earth."
"These days people invest great efforts into preparing for what they think will be their physical needs in the future. Holy Love must be their spiritual portion now and in days to come. The signs are all around you of My Return. Do not let the enemy distract you from the only preparation that counts; that is, Holy Love in your heart."
"Holy Love is the Rapture;* your flight away from all that is evil; your escape in difficulty; your refuge of safety. Do not fear but trust."
* Rapture: 1. The state of being carried away with joy, love, etc.; ecstasy 2. An expression of great joy, pleasure, etc. 3. A carrying away or being carried away in body or spirit; now rare except in theological usage; [Now Rare] to enrapture; fill with ecstasy -- SYN. Ecstasy; in some Christian theologies, the bodily ascent into heaven just before Armageddon of those who are saved.
(Webster's New World Dictionary Third College Edition)
Blessed Mother's New Year's Message
January 1, 2011 Feast of the Mother of God New Year's Day
Blessed Mother says: "I am Mary, Mother of God." "The year ahead holds many challenges in the Mission, on the world stage and in individual hearts. Every challenge will be matched with a ...
Mary, Protectress of the Faith
January 21, 2011 --25th Anniversary of Mary. Protectress of the Faith Our Lady comes as 'Protectress of the Faith'. She says: "Praise be to Jesus." "Under this title I come to draw together My children in the Tradition of Faith, and to protect the faith God has placed in ...
Blessed Mother's Messages
Message of March 02, 2011
"Dear children; My motherly heart suffers tremendously as I look at my children who persistently put what is human before what is of God; at my children who, despite everything that surrounds them and despite all the signs that are sent to them, think that they ...
March 25, 2011
Message, 25. March 2011
“Dear children! In a special way today I desire to call you to conversion. As of
today, may new life begin in your heart. Children, I desire to see your ‘yes’, and
may your life be a joyful living of God’s will at every moment of your life. In a
special way today, I bless you with my motherly blessing of peace, love and unity in
my heart and in the heart of my Son Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my
call.”
THE PEDAGOGICAL VALUE OF CONFESSION
THE PEDAGOGICAL VALUE OF CONFESSION VATICAN CITY, 25 MAR 2011 (VIS) - This morning Benedict XVI received participants in an annual course on the "internal forum" organised by the Apostolic Penitentiary. The penitentiary is presided by Cardinal Fortunato Baldelli and its regent is ...