Prayer.
Release, O Lord, etc., etc.
Twenty-sixth Day.
The holy sacrifice of the Mass is the surest and most effectual means we possess for procuring [pg 463] the eternal repose and happiness of the departed. “The sacrament of love, the revelation of unity, and the bond of friendship,” says St. Augustine. “We pray for all who have departed this life, with the most confident conviction that the prayers at the altar are the most profitable to them,” says St. Cyril. And again: “Supposing a king who was offended by a subject has banished him from his kingdom, and the friends of the outlaw wish to restore him to the king's favor, and for that purpose form a deputation to the royal personage, and presenting a costly gift, venture to plead for pardon for the offender; would not the king comply with their request, and either grant the pardon, or mitigate the punishment to some extent? Well, in like manner we, although sinners, plead for pardon from the King of heaven and earth for our banished friends, and with much surer hopes of success, for the gift we offer is not an earthly crown, but is the body and blood of His own well-beloved Son, Who has bled for the sins of the whole world.” The holy sacrifice is, I again repeat, the most effectual and the most powerful means we have for assisting the suffering souls in purgatory.
Prayer.
Release, O Lord, etc., etc.
Twenty-seventh Day.
Let me now suggest how you may act and pray during the holy sacrifice. At the Confiteor let us imagine the souls in the depths of purgatory; place ourselves in the midst of them and hearken to their entreaties for help. At the Elevation let us [pg 464] say: “O my God, in memory of the painful death Thou didst endure, have compassion on these poor souls for whom I pray. O my God, behold Thy precious blood, which was shed for their deliverance. Oh, let the saving fruits of this precious blood come to the poor souls, let its cleansing streams flow into purgatory. Remember with what great love Thou didst shed it for Thy elect, so many of whom are now languishing in the fiery dungeon.” We can fix our eyes on the crucifix placed over the altar; it will help us to make our supplications more direct. The thorn-crowned head will remind us of our superiors, spiritual and temporal, perhaps in purgatory. The wounded right hand our parents, friends and benefactors. The left hand the souls of those who have wished to do us harm in life. Nor would it be amiss, while contemplating the wound in Our Saviour's side, to recommend one's own soul. At the Communion when we see the sacred Host in the hands of the priest, let us consider that it is the body of Him Who commanded us to pray for the dead. For it is He Who said: “If you ask the Father anything in My name He will give it to you.” Let us remind Him of His words, and implore Him by His love. This is a favorable moment to have our prayers heard.