The Friends of the Suffering Souls is a Catholic Lay Association which conducts a perpetual novena of Masses for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. It was inspired by the 100 consecutive Masses offered for the Holy Souls by the Venerable Archdeacon Cavanagh, Parish Priest of Knock prior to the appearance there of Our Blessed Mother in 1879.The basic idea is that once a year, members ask a priest to say Mass for the Holy Souls. At the website you can read lots about why this is a good idea.
If you are a lay person, I encourage you to join the Association. If you are a priest, you may be able to help in a particular way. The Association needs priests who will be happy to accept requests for Masses for the Holy Souls. Unfortunately, I cannot put my name down because I have so many Masses already requested in my parish that I am unable to invite more from elsewhere. However I know that many priests do not receive many requests for Mass intentions. You can put your name down for the ordinary or extraordinary form, or both.
Email foss@knocknovena.com to join or (if a priest) to make yourself available to accept requests for Masses. Priests are especially needed from the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand.
3 comments:
'If one knew what we may obtain from God by the intercession of the Holy Souls, they would not be so much abandoned. Let us pray a great deal for them, they will pray for us'.
St. John Vianney
Have signed up, and feel honoured to be among those helping FOSS.
We must never forget the suffering souls, one day it may be us, although I read a little booklet by Fr Paul O'Sullivan who recommends that we pray that God grants us a happy death and no purgatory. 'surely God will hear a prayer said with such confidence and perseverance' The book is titled 'How to Avoid Purgatory' and includes the sacraments, indulgences, and many other means to avoid purgatory.
As a member for the past several years, I am thrilled to see our group getting some attention. The Holy Souls need us, and we must never forget them. Imagine their gratitude upon their release from purgatory, which will indeed be paid back to us.
I suggest to everyone who is going to Rome soon, that they consider paying a visit to the Church of the Suffering Souls (address: Parrocchia Sacro Cuore in Prati-Lungotevere Prati 12-Roma, which is a short distance from the Vatican).
A very humbling experience and one that will make you not forget about the poor souls in Purgatory.
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