November 28th.-We must Assist the Holy Souls. 85 Example.-Mary, and the Souls in Purgatory 87 November 29th.-We must Pray, particularly for Example.-Vision of St. Michael of the Saints 89 November 30th.-Particular Intentions. ΜΟΝΤΗ SOULS IN OF THE PURGATORY. OCTOBER 31ST. Meditation for the Eve of the Month of the Souls in Purgatory. PRELIMINARY MEDITATION. Prelude. In the dark prison which is called Purgatory, the captive souls of expiation are thrilled and agitated by ardent sentiments of hope. The approaching month of November is the cause of these consolations, so let us prepare ourselves to-day to satisfy during this month the hope of our departed brethren. Meditation. It has been said, and with reason, that "amongst all Catholic devotions, one of the most solid, most fruitful, and the most conformed to that spirit of charity which constitutes the soul and principle of Christian morality, is, without doubt, devotion to the souls in Purgatory." And now, let us see what really is the end of this beautiful devotion. Is it not to deliver from expiatory flames souls which find in our suffrages a compensation for the slowness of their painful expiation? But the real and immediate object of devotion to the souls in Purgatory leads to various consequences which multiply its fruits. For to deliver a soul from Purgatory, is it not to procure the glory of God, since it allows that soul to praise Him in heaven for all eternity? And to deliver a soul from Purgatory, is it not to exercise one of the best works of charity a Christian could practise, since it procures for that soul the greatest of all benefits, heavenly bliss? To deliver a soul from Purgatory is to create for ourselves in heaven a most powerful friend, whose gratitude will never fail us. Finally, to work for the deliverance of the souls in Purgatory is to compel ourselves, so to say, to the frequent remembrance and serious consideration of our last end, and consequently to obtain a pledge and infallible means of salvation, according to the word of the Holy Ghost: "Remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin." O my God! I thank Thee for having shown me, and placed in my hands such a means of salvation, which at the same time as it conduces to Thy greater glory, allows me to satisfy the desire of my heart, touched by the sufferings of my departed brethren, and gives me also a pledge of eternal predestination. Resolution. Unite our intention to that of all the faithful, who intend to follow the exercises of the Month of the Holy Souls. Aspiration." Blessed are the merciful for they shall find mercy. (Gospel according to St. Matthew v. 7.) EXAMPLE. HISTORY OF THE DEVOTION TOWARDS THE SOULS IN PURGATORY. The practice of praying for the souls in Purgatory has been in use since the time of the written Law, as we see in the history of the Machabees, and we learn also from the holy Fathers and from the old liturgies, that it was religiously observed from the time of the Apostles, although there was no special day consecrated to it in the year. St. Odilon was the first who established this holy custom, and he was careful, from the first years of his episcopacy, to establish in his Order the practice of constant prayer and alms, and the frequent celebration of the unbloody sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ for these suffering souls, overcome by the weight of God's justice, and he himself often offered up Mass for this intention. His compassion for them grew from day to day, so that he was anxious to settle some means of |