Eternal Rest Prayer
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
And let the perpetual light shine upon them.
And may the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
November – Month of All Souls
Tuesday 2 November, the Church commemorated All Souls’ Day. A day to remember all the faithfully departed and pray for all souls in Purgatory.
Purgatory is a place where those who have died in a state of grace go for final cleansing before entering heaven. Our Catholic faith states that when we sin even though we are forgiven through the mercy of God, we still have an increased attachment to that sin. So, if someone dies without having made satisfaction from his/hers sins then they have to make it after their death before entering heaven in which we call purgatory (a state of spiritual cleansing). This belief has its foundation in scripture where we are told in Revelations 21:27 that nothing impure will enter heaven but we are also told that some sins we commit are not totally destructive to our relationship with God (1 John 5:17). Even the Jews speak of praying for the deceased (2 Maccabees 12) which precedes Christianity.
Throughout the centuries, Christians have prayed for souls in purgatory. Tertullian of Carthage as early as the 3rd Century writes “A woman, after the death of her husband…prays for his soul and asks that he may, while waiting find rest; and that he may share in the first resurrection.”
Many of us have prayed for someone we know in the confidence that God would hear our prayer and bestow His grace that they needed upon them. The same applies for the souls in purgatory. We have faith that God will hear our prayers and give them the grace to be cleansed of their remaining faults.
This month our staff and students will have the opportunity to pray for family and friends who have deceased and writing their names in the College’s memorial book. These names will be offered at Holy Mass. Let us pray for all souls who have departed so that they may rest in the loving arms of our God.
What You Should Know About Purgatory
Friday 8:00am Mass
Parents/Carers and students are invited to attend 8:00am Mass every Friday at St Catherine of Siena Church, Caroline Springs. Holy Mass will finish at 8:25am. It is a wonderful opportunity to begin the day in prayer and contemplation with Christ. Please note that due to Government regulations this mass will be open to the unvaccinated. However, all are welcome to attend.
Gospel Reflection
THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
Mark 13:24-32
