Dear friends,

As we transition from October to November, we are blessed to end this Respect Life Month with a mission preached by Fr. Shenan Boquet of Human Life International. Recognizing the precious gift which is our life here on earth, we are even more acutely aware of the blessed life that God has in store for us for eternity. I encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity we have in these days and to attend the mission and come to know how we might defend our families from the culture of death and promote the culture of life.

As we begin November we remember all those who have gone before us. If it weren’t for our ancestors we wouldn’t be here. As I ponder this wonderful truth and think of how I got to be here I am filled with awe. Our holy mother the Church gives us these days to remember and pray. We remember the saints that have set the world ablaze by their faith. November 1^st is All Saints Day. For this wonderful Holy Day we will have Mass at 7am, 9am, and 7pm. After the evening, Mass we will have a Holy Hour with Michael John Poirier and then Adoration through the night. I invite you to come and enjoy this special time of prayer with the saints in adoration of our Lord. 

Then on November 2^nd we celebrate All Souls Day with Mass at 9am. We remember and pray in a special way for all those souls that have gone before us and made it possible for us to be here as they are on their way to heaven. In the Church we have the tradition of praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. As a person passes from this world to the next she might not be ready to enter the beatific vision. For a time then, she enters into a state of purification so that she may be able to enter into the love of God free from all sin. In this state the soul cannot pray for itself, it is relying on us. As we pray for those who have gone before us, it makes us more aware of our own need for prayer, repentance, and purification from our own sinful ways and the damage that our sins have caused other. We are drawn ever deeper into God’s love as we pray and ponder this mystery.

I print this prayer to be prayed as a Novena for the holy souls. Please join me in this prayer starting on Nov. 2 and remember that you can receive a plenary indulgence (remission for the temporal punishment due to sin) for the holy souls by visiting the cemetery during these nine days (one per day). 

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

O Gentlest Heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in Purgatory have mercy on the soul of Your departed servants.  Be not severe in Your judgement, but let some drops of Your Precious Blood fall upon them, and send, O merciful Saviour, Your angels to conduct them to a place of refreshment, light and peace.  Amen.

May the Angels lead them into Paradise.  May the Martyrs receive them at their coming and take them to Jerusalem, the Holy City.  May the Choirs of the angels receive them and may they, with the once poor Lazarus, have rest everlasting.  Amen.

Eternal Father, I offer You the Holy Wounds of Your Son, and His Precious Blood, for the conversion of sinners and for the relief of the souls in Purgatory.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May they rest in peace.  Amen.

Eternal Father, by virtue of Your generosity and love, I ask that You accept all my actions, and that You multiply their value in favour of every soul in Purgatory.  Through Christ Our Lord.  Amen.