Stellae Maris

My personal devotion to the Holy Souls in Purgatory began when I was in high school. Something that really drew my attention to them is the immense suffering that they undergo. The reality of their suffering was made apparent to me in a story I heard from Padre Pio’s many encounters with the souls in Purgatory.

One night, Padre Pio was in prayer, and he saw that a soul had appeared in his room. This soul was covered in flames, and urgently asked Padre Pio for his prayers. Padre Pio asked if the soul was in Purgatory and if it was suffering. The soul replied that it was indeed in Purgatory and that all of the souls there suffer a pain that could not be expressed in words. Padre Pio decided to verify this, so he extended his hand to touch what looked like sweat on the forehead of the soul. At this, he felt a searing pain in his hand, yelled aloud, and the soul disappeared. The other friars ran to his room and asked Padre Pio what had happened. Padre Pio said, “If we knew how much these souls suffered, we would not cease to offer prayers for them.”

It is stories such as these that have really made an impact on my life. One of the most significant graces is realizing the value of my prayers and sufferings. My prayers and sufferings, united with our Lord’s, have become a means by which the pains of the poor souls in Purgatory can be alleviated. And not only that, these souls, being infinitely grateful, pray for me in return because of this act of charity toward them. What a joy it will be to one day meet these souls who have been interceding on my behalf!

In learning more about Purgatory, I’ve also come to realize the immense love that the Blessed Mother has for these souls. The realization of her love for them reaffirms my concern for them. Not only that, but it has also shaped how I view this devotion. Saint Faustina Kowalska, a Polish nun who lived in the 20th Century, had a great devotion to the Holy Souls and wrote about many experiences she had while praying for the dead. One of her insights was the presence of Our Lady to the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Saint Faustina writes, “The souls call her ‘The Star of the Sea.’ She brings them refreshment” (Diary of Saint Faustina Kowalska para 20). Our Lady gives these souls hope in the midst of their waves of suffering. Her consolation gives them the assurance that they will one day enter into the presence of God. Reflecting on this spiritual insight, it occurred to me that I, too, could be known to them as a “star of the sea” since I, too, am being used by the Lord to alleviate their suffering through my prayers.

The Lord has allowed me to learn all of these things since I initially began to pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, and so I have become more of an advocate for them. I came to realize that we should be interceding for them constantly, especially in this month of November. These could, in fact, be the souls of our loved ones and friends. But it is in interceding for them that we will be able to empty Purgatory. In this great act of mercy, we, like Mary, can be called a Star of the Sea. 

Anthony Miranda is a College III Seminarian for the Diocese of Wilmington Delaware