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 time you  will  become  an  interior  soul  and  reap  rich  blessings.

We should  make  it  our  practice  to  offer  each  day  some special prayer  or  work  for  the  holy  souls  suffering  in  purgatory. We should  never  miss  saying  a  De  Profundis  for them, or,  at  least,  the  indulgenced  Versicles  and  Responses:

V. Requiem  aeternam dona eis,  Domine.

R. Et  lux  perpetua  luceat eis.

V. Requiescant  in  pace.

R. Amen.

V. Eternal  rest  give  unto them, O  Lord.

R. And  let  perpetual light shine  upon  them.

V. May  they  rest  in peace.

R. Amen.

We should  say  as  many  indulgenced  prayers  for  them  as we  can,  and  frequently  offer  the  holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass or a  holy  communion  for  them.

The holy  souls  suffering  in  the  prison  of  purgatory  are incapable of  helping  themselves.

Out of  the  depths  of  torturing  flame  they  call  to  us Miseremini!"    "Have  pity  on  us !"

We have  it  in  our  power  to  help  these  suffering  friends  of God. We can  do  so  by  prayer,  almsdeeds,  works  of  mercy, holy communion,  the  Holy  Mass,  and  indulgences,  and  to do  so  is  certainly  an  act  of  charity. Understanding this full well,  the  saints,  without  exception,  have  been  most earnest and  constant  in  their  efforts  to  help  them. Some of them  have  made  this  devotion  one  of  the  strong  characteristics of  their  sanctity,  and  we  venture  to  say  that  no truly  devout  or  sincere  Catholic  neglects  this  spiritual  work of mercy.

Even the  very  poor,  in  Ireland,  for  instance,  and  also  in this  country,  make  many  sacrifices  in  order  to  secure  for their departed  relatives  and  others  the  special  benefits  of the  Holy  Mass. May the  same  enlightened  piety  ever remain firmly  rooted  in  the  hearts  of  our  people,  and  may the day  never  come  when  they  will  cease  to  follow  beyond