❖ Understanding the Connection: Hagiography & All Souls’ Day
While All Saints’ Day (November 1st) celebrates the Church Triumphant—those already in Heaven—All Souls’ Day (November 2nd) is dedicated to the Church Suffering—the holy souls in Purgatory. Hagiography, which is the study and writing of the lives of the saints, contributes to our understanding of All Souls’ Day in several important ways:
- Testimonies of Saints’ Devotion to the Holy Souls
- Apparitions of Souls from Purgatory
- Intercessory Practices Encouraged by Saints
- Theological Insights into Purgatory in the Lives of the Saints
Let us explore these elements.
❖ 1. Saints Who Were Devoted to the Holy Souls
✠ St. Gertrude the Great (1256–1302)
A Benedictine mystic, St. Gertrude received revelations about Purgatory and composed the Prayer of St. Gertrude, traditionally believed to release souls from Purgatory by God’s mercy:
“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.”
She was told by Our Lord that this prayer would release 1,000 souls each time it was devoutly prayed (though this is a pious belief and not a doctrinal guarantee).
✠ St. Catherine of Genoa (1447–1510)
This saint wrote one of the most insightful mystical treatises on Purgatory: “Treatise on Purgatory.” She emphasized not only the suffering of the souls in Purgatory, but their joy in purification, knowing they were destined for union with God.
“The greatest suffering of the souls in Purgatory is the delay of the beatific vision, which they now desire with unquenchable love.”
✠ St. Padre Pio (1887–1968)
Although modern by date, Padre Pio’s spirituality was deeply traditional. He frequently offered Masses and prayers for the souls in Purgatory and was known to receive visits from them, asking for prayers.
He said:
“More souls of the dead than of the living climb this mountain to attend my Masses and seek my prayers.”
❖ 2. Apparitions and Visions of Souls in Purgatory
Hagiographical accounts are rich with stories of saints who were visited by suffering souls, often appearing in flames or sorrow to request prayers or Masses:
- St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was once visited by the soul of a deceased nun who asked for prayers and later returned shining with light after being released.
- St. Alphonsus Liguori recounts in his writings numerous historical accounts of apparitions from Purgatory, stressing the importance of charity toward the dead.
❖ 3. The Saints on Offering Sacrifice for the Dead
Many saints insisted that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the greatest help to the souls in Purgatory.
- St. Thomas Aquinas taught that the souls of the faithful departed cannot help themselves, but we can aid them through Masses, almsgiving, and indulgences.
- St. John Vianney said: “If we knew what power one Mass has in releasing souls from Purgatory, we would sacrifice everything to have Masses offered for them.”
❖ 4. Hagiography as a Guide to Purgatorial Devotion
Hagiography does more than recount pious stories—it forms our own devotions. The saints’ lives model:
- The practice of indulgenced prayers, especially in November.
- Daily sacrifices and acts of penance offered for the souls.
- Encouragement to offer Mass intentions and perform acts of charity on behalf of the departed.
❖ How to Live This on All Souls’ Day
- Assist at Mass – It is the most efficacious prayer for the dead.
- Pray the Rosary or the Office of the Dead.
- Visit a Cemetery and pray for the departed. From November 1–8, one can gain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions.
- Offer personal sacrifices, such as fasting, in union with the sufferings of Christ.
- Read lives of saints known for their devotion to the holy souls.
❖ Suggested Readings from the Lives of the Saints
- Treatise on Purgatory – St. Catherine of Genoa
- Glories of Mary, Chapter on Purgatory – St. Alphonsus Liguori
- Life of St. Gertrude the Great – Benedictine Traditions
- The Cure of Ars (biography of St. John Vianney)