The Catholic Defender: MEMORIAL PRAYER FOR SUFFERING SOULS IN PURGATORY

ACT OF HEROIC CHARITY FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

The prayer below is known as the Heroic Act of Charity is especially powerful, calling to mind as it does an especially powerful intercessor with Our Lord, His Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. However, if you have made the True Devotion Consecration to Mary, then you have given Mary all that you have by way of works and merits for her to dispose of as she wishes and sees fit. You simply make a conditional Heroic Act of Charity, leaving to Mary the decision of what she will use for whom and when. Heavenly Father, in union with the merits of Jesus and Mary, I offer Thee, for the sake of the poor souls, all the satisfactory value of my works during life, as well as all that will be done for me after death. I give Thee my all, through the hands of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, that she may set free whatever souls she pleases, according to her heavenly wisdom and mother's love for them. Receive this offering, O God, and grant me in return an increase of Thy grace. Amen.

MEMORIAL PRAYER FOR SUFFERING SOULS IN PURGATORY

Almighty God, Father of goodness and love, have mercy on the poor suffering souls, and grant Thine aid: To my dear parents and ancestors; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To my brothers and sisters and other near relatives; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To my benefactors, spiritual and temporal; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To my former friends and subjects; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To all for whom love or duty bids me pray; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those who have suffered disadvantage or harm through me; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those who have offended me; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To all those who are especially beloved by Thee; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those whose release is at hand; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those who desire most to be united with Thee; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those who endure the greatest suffering; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those whose release is most remote; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those who are least remembered; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those who are most deserving on account of their services to the Church; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To the rich, who now are the most destitute; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To the mighty, who now are as lowly servants; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To the blind, who now see their folly; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To the frivolous, who spent their time in idleness; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To the poor, who did not seek the treasures of Heaven; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To the tepid, who devoted little time to prayer; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To the indolent, who were negligent in performing good works; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those of little faith, who neglected the frequent reception of the Sacraments; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To the habitual sinners, who owe their salvation to a miracle of grace; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To parents who failed to watch over their children; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To superiors who were not solicitous for the salvation of those entrusted to them; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To the souls of those who strove for hardly anything but riches and pleasures; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To the worldly-minded, who failed to use their wealth and talents in the service of God; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those who witnessed the death of others, but would not think of their own; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those who did not provide for the great journey beyond, and the days of tribulation; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those whose judgment is so severe because of the great things entrusted to them; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To the popes, rulers, kings and princes; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To the bishops and their counselors; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To my teachers and spiritual advisors; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To the deceased priests of this diocese; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To all the priests and religious of the whole Catholic Church; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To the defenders of the Holy Faith; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those who died on the battlefield; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those who are buried in the sea; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those who died of stroke or heart attack; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those who died without the last rites of the Church; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To those who shall die within the next twenty-four hours; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. To my own poor soul when I shall have to appear before Thy judgment seat; Jesus, Mary, Joseph! My Jesus, mercy. V. O Lord, grant eternal rest to all the souls of the faithful departed, R. And let perpetual light shine upon them. V. May they rest in peace. R. Amen.

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.