November 2020 - First Friday Holy Hour - Eucharistic Adoration and the Holy Souls in Purgatory

In the Gospel for today, the Lord tells a parable about how the so-called dishonest steward works to settle his accounts with his master. In a sense, this parable reminds of how we will all be required to make an accounting at the end of our life of how we used our time—did we squander it, did we use it to glorify God?

The parable challenges us to get our lives in order, to make sure our priorities are straight, that we are putting our time, talent, and treasure in the service to God, rather that pursuing our own selfish endeavors. 

During the month of November, we pray in a special way for the souls in purgatory who at the end of life, were found in need of further purification from the effects of sin in their life. Yes, they died in friendship with the Lord, but in that great accounting, there was found need of purgation. And during this month, we pray for them, knowing that our prayers truly help them.

Most efficacious is the celebration of Mass for a soul. Once during the celebration of mass, St. Bernard saw an unending stairway leading up to heaven. By means of it angels ascended and descended, carrying from Purgatory to Paradise the souls freed by the Sacrifice of Jesus—the sacrifice which is renewed at the altar during every celebration of Mass.

Eucharistic adoration too, is a powerful form of prayer, in assisting the holy souls. Kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament, St. Peter Damien proclaimed: “O HOLY HOST, YOU THAT BREAKS DOWN THE GATES OF PURGATORY AND OPENS THE DOOR OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN TO THE FAITHFUL!"

Kneeling before our Eucharist Lord, this evening, we do well to bring to him the souls of our loved ones, bring them to him by name. For from the Sacred host, streams of alleviating grace flow into Purgatory, bringing unspeakable relief and assistance to the Church suffering due to the effects of sin.

And, when it is time for the great accounting of our lives, when we appear before the judgment seat, we can be sure that speaking on our behalf will be all those souls who we prayed for, who were able to reach their heavenly destination thanks to our prayers and penances. 

Eternal rest, grant unto them, o Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. For the glory of God and salvation of souls.