Grady's Corner: Mary Comforts Our Beloved Dead in Purgatory

On All Souls’ Day, each of us calls to mind our beloved dead and prays for their souls. Knowing that many of us, though followers of Jesus who strive for virtue and holiness, stumble and sin throughout our lives, we recognize purgatory as a gift of mercy, where our attachments and sins of this world can be washed away before we approach the throne of God.

As Catholics, we take prayer for the souls in purgatory seriously. At every Mass, we pray for the faithful departed, and in many of our daily prayers, we do the same. The Church tells us that our brothers and sisters need these prayers during this time of purification.

Purgatory should not be feared, since it is an act of God’s mercy, though we know that, like any other penance, it is not easy and does require suffering.

The Blessed Mother is one of the great sources of hope among those in purgatory. Like our earthly mothers, Our Lady’s nature is to love and comfort us in our suffering.

St. Faustina Kowalska writes in her diary, “I saw Our Lady visiting the souls in Purgatory. The souls call her ‘The Star of the Sea.’ She brings them refreshment.” 

As I reflect on this great feast of All Souls, I am reminded of the many churches from my travels that depict Mary’s maternal care and comfort for the suffering souls in purgatory. Just recently, on a pilgrimage to Rome, I visited the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini, also known as the “Bone Church,” which contains the remains of nearly 4,000 deceased friars and reminds us of our mortality. At the exit of the church is a chapel containing a painting of Our Lady tending to the souls in purgatory. 

We should find consolation in praying that Mary will bring hope to our loved ones in purgatory and one day will also intercede for us in our own purgation. She is the perfect mother who swiftly comes to us in our need. 

Death can fill us with anxiety and fear. But we thank God for the merciful gift of purgatory and the gift of a heavenly mother who walks with us. The souls in purgatory are not alone. Keep praying for your loved ones that they will be ushered into heaven soon–they need your prayers.

Mary, Star of the Sea, pray for us and all the faithful departed.

-Grady Connolly