What can I do for my departed loved Ones
by St. Alphonsus Liguori
The holy souls suffering in the prison of purgatory are incapable of helping themselves. Out of the depths of torturing flame they call to us "Miseremini!" "Have pity on us!" We have it in our power to help these suffering friends of God. We can do so by prayer, alms-deeds, works of mercy, holy communion, the Holy Mass, and indulgences, and to do so is certainly an act of charity. Understanding this full well, the saints, without exception, have been most earnest and constant in their efforts to help them. Some of them have made this devotion one of the strong characteristics of their sanctity, and we venture to say that no truly devout or sincere Catholic neglects this spiritual work of mercy.
