As Catholics, we believe, yes, Jesus' sufferings did atone for our sins so that the gates of Heaven may be opened. However, we are all still responsible for our actions here on earth. And, though we can be forgiven for our sins, if we seek forgiveness, we still must deal with the punishment due us by the sin, as God's Justice must reign. God is so pure, that nothing impure can stand in His sight. If we die without removing the stains of impurity from our souls, we must be cleansed before entering God's august presence. It is much like when one breaks a window. Though our act may be forgiven, we must still make restitution for the damages which we caused. Many other faiths refuse belief in Purgatory, because they say that Christ died for our sins, and already has made up for them. If this were the case, Hell and the Commandments would be obsolete, as no matter what terrible action is committed against God, we would go straight on to Heaven. It is awful to think in such a way. We must consider how terrible our sinful actions are, and that when we sin, there are terrible repercussions. All suffering, illness, and disasters are a result of our sin. What we cannot make up for here on earth through pain, prayer, or good deeds must be cleansed away in Purgatory. The sufferings are excruciating, much like the pains of Hell, but with one exception - the extremely joyful knowledge that one day we will be united with God, but only when we become pure. We are reminded in apparitions and locutions that the place of purgation truly does exist, and that many souls are being forgotten by those of us on earth. Each time we help alleviate their sufferings completely or partially, we are doing a service greater than we can imagine. Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin have continuously told us to pray often for the holy souls in Purgatory that they may enter into the glory of Heaven for all eternity. These souls cannot pray for themselves, but can and do pray for those of us on earth.

PRAYER GIVEN TO ST. GERTRUDE: Our Lord told St. Gertrude the Great that the following prayer would release 1000 souls from Purgatory each time it is said: 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.  Amen. ASPIRATION PRAYER: Jesus, Mary, I love You, save souls. Each time this simple aspiration is said, a soul is released from Purgatory. PRAYER 1 FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY: Good and gentle Jesus, Whose loving Heart was ever troubled by the sorrows of others, look with pity upon the holy souls in Purgatory. Eternal rest grant unto them, O, Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. PRAYER 2 FOR THOSE IN PURGATORY: Father, God of all consolation, in Your unending love and mercy for us You turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life. Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, we ask You to deliver the souls in Purgatory, especially those for whom we now pray (mention them). Welcome them into Your presence and bless them with eternal light and peace. Raise them up to live forever with all Your saints in the glory of the Resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYER 3 FOR THOSE IN PURGATORY: O God, Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of our departed loved ones, the remission of all their sins, that by means of our pious supplications, they may obtain the joys of Heaven which they have ever earnestly desire. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYER 4 FOR THOSE IN PURGATORY: Most merciful Father, we commend our departed into Your hands. We are filled with the sure hope that our departed will rise again on the Last Day with all who have died in Christ. We thank You for all the good things You have given during our departed's earthly life. O Father, in Your great mercy, accept our prayer that the Gates of Paradise may be opened for Your servant. In our turn, may we, too, be comforted by the words of faith until we greet Christ in the glory and are united with You and our departed. PRAYER OF DELIVERANCE: My Jesus, by the sorrows Thou didst suffer in Thine agony in the Garden, in Thy scourging and crowning with thorns, on the way to Calvary, in Thy crucifixion and death, have mercy on the souls in purgatory, and especially on those that are most forsaken; do Thou deliver them from the terrible torments they endure; call them and admit them to Thy most sweet embrace in paradise. Amen PRAYER FOR THE FORGOTTEN DEAD: O merciful God, take pity on those souls who have no paritcular friends and intercessors to recommend them to you, who either through negligence of those who are alive or through length of time are forgotten by all. Spare them,O Lord and remember your own when others forget to appeal to your mercy. Let not the souls you have created be parted from you their creator. Amen. Contributed by "LilyRoses" FOR THE MOST FORGOTTEN SOUL: O Lord God Almighty, I beseech Thee by the Precious Body and Blood of Thy divine Son Jesus, which He Himself on the night before His Passion gave as meat and drink to His beloved Apostles and bequeathed to His Holy Church to be the perpetual Sacrifice and life-giving nourishment of His faithful people, deliver the souls in purgatory, but most of all, that soul which was most devoted to this Mystery of infinite love, in order that it may praise Thee therefor, together with Thy Divine Son and the Holy Spirit in Thy glory for ever. Amen. PRAYER FOR THOSE SUFFERING IN PURGATORY: I adore Thee, O most Precious Cross, which has been adorned with the tender, delicate and venerable Hands and Feet of our dear Lord Jesus Christ, and imbued with His Precious Blood. I again adore Thee, O Holy Cross, for love of my Lord and God, Jesus Christ. By saying the above prayer on a Friday, 3 souls are liberated from Purgatory, and by saying it on Good Friday, 33 souls are liberated. Contributed by Colana Hutchinson PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART FOR THOSE IN PURGATORY: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, remembering the promise of the Resurrection, I humbly and sincerely offer these prayers and Masses for (mention them) and all the departed. With joy, I thank You for what we shared in this earthly life. With hope, I pray this offering will help them on their journey to the fullness of life and happiness with You in Heaven. Purify them from all that is not holy so they may dwell in the mystery of Your perfect love forever. With blessed anticipation, I look forward to the coming age, when, with Your grace, I shall be united with them again in Paradise. Recite one each: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be May the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. Sacred Heart League...Walls, MS THE HOLY SOULS ROSARY: If this "Rosary" is said with devotion and love, it has the potential to release over 50,000 souls from the pains of Purgatory, because it's primary prayer is the prayer given to St. Gertrude which releases 1000 souls each time it is said, that is 1.5 million souls a month with daily recitation! Beginning Prayers: Sign of the Cross The Apostle's Creed Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory be... (3 times) On the large beads: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual help shine upon them. On the small beads: 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. Concluding prayer: In our human weakness, we all have sinned against You, O God. We are truly sorrowful, and ask for Your forgiveness for us and the whole world. Look with favor upon our offerings, and have compassion upon the holy souls suffering in Purgatory. Give to all of them Your Light, Your Refreshment, and Your Peace. May they dwell within Your Love forever.