All Souls Day

Here are some thoughts and guidance for All Souls Day and this month of November.

"With Faber most theological writers maintain, that of all the works of mercy and charity the most exalted, pure and charitable is to aid the Suffering Souls in Purgatory."-from "Charity for the Suffering Souls" by Rev. John A. Nageleisen, p. 235, TAN ed.


"The dead are aided by alms, by the prayers of the Church, and by the Sacrifice of the Mass."-St. Augustine

"Whosover prays for the Suffering Souls with the intention of helping them, imposes on them the obligation of gratitude and assistance."-Pope Adrian IV

INDULGENCES FOR THE POOR SOULS
(current regulations in force by Pope Benedict XVI)

I. On All Soul's Day (Nov. 2) a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Poor Souls, is granted to those who visit any parish church or public oratory and there recite on Our Father and one Credo.

II. On all the days from November 1 through November 8 inclusive, a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Poor Souls, is granted to those who visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed.

CONDITIONS FOR BOTH INDULGENCES:

1. Only one plenary indulgence can be gained per day.

2. It is necessary to be in the state of grace, at least by the completion of the work.

3. Freedom from attachment to sin, even venial sin, is necessary; otherwise the indulgence is only partial. (By this is meant attachment to a particular sin, not sin in general.)

4. Holy Communion must be received each time the indulgence is sought.

5. Prayers must be recited for the intentions of the Holy Father on each day the indulgence is sought. (No particular prayers are prescribed. One Our Father and one Hail Mary suffice, or other suitable prayers.)

6. A sacramental confession must be made within a week of completion of the prescribed work. (One confession made during the week, made with the intention of gaining al the indulgences, suffices.)

(Indulgence and Conditions statements courtesy of October FSSP newsletter)