God, a torment far more excruciating than all other pains. Let us reflect that among these suffering souls are parents, or brothers, or relatives and friends, who look to us for succor. Let us remember, moreover, that being in the condition of debtors for their sins, they cannot assist themselves. This thought should urge us forward to relieve them to the best of our ability. By assisting them we shall not only give great pleasure to God, but will acquire also great merit for ourselves. And, in return for our suffrages, these blessed souls will not neglect to obtain for us many graces from God, but particularly the grace of eternal life. I hold for certain that a soul delivered from Purgatory by the suffrages of a Christian, when she enters paradise, will not fail to say to God: "Lord, do not suffer to be lost that person who has liberated me from the prison of Purgatory, and has brought me to the enjoyment of Thy glory sooner than I have deserved."

The Holy Doctor then goes on to urge the faithful to do all in their power to relieve and liberate these blessed souls, by

having Masses said for them, by alms, and by their own fervent prayers.

This little "Manual" will no doubt be welcomed by the members of the Purgatorian Society and other pious friends of the suffering souls in Purgatory.

New York, May 13, 1894.

HAVE MERCY UPON THE SUFFERING SOULS.

Hear ye not the spirits' moaning
From the depths of cleansing fire?
Know ye not the burning anguish
Of these souls-their hearts' desire?

Hear them cry in bitter sorrow,
Sighing, weeping in their pains,
While they call on us who love them,
"Break our heavy prison chains!"

Though their lives on earth were holy,
And their virtue manifest,

Yet some stains of imperfection
Still prevent their perfect rest.

And they weep in mournful numbers,
Pleading for our fervent pray'r,

Oh, take pity on their sorrow,
Let their solace be your care,

Place your pray'r, your pious off'ring

For these suffering souls, so poor,
In the hands of our dear Mother,
Of sweet Mary Virgin pure.

With a mother's love and mercy
She will lead them to her Son;
And their pain shall turn to glory
There, before the Heav'nly throne.

FIRST DAY.

PRAYERS FOR THE HOLY SOULS.

One of the most consoling doctrines of the Catholic Church is that of the Communion of Saints. All men-the saints in Heaven, we upon earth, the souls in Purgatory,-are members of one great family. By this "bond of perfection" which unites the Suffering and Triumphant Church with the Militant Church upon earth, incorporating them into one body, mutual charity becomes an obligation. This reciprocal love, being the duty of all men, renders it imperative

that all should pray for one another, for in this general prayer, offered mutually, Christian charity is most beautifully and eloquently expressed.

From this general obligation we derive the special duty to pray for the suffering souls in Purgatory, who are unable in their extreme distress to do aught for their own relief. It has always been the belief of Holy Church that the faithful, united in the Communion of Saints, can mutually assist each other. As the saints in Heaven pray for us, so must we also offer our petitions for the suffering souls in Purgatory, that God in His goodness and mercy, may mitigate and shorten their punishment, and hasten their entrance into Heaven. It is the doctrine of the Church that the faithful upon earth are really able to relieve the temporal punishment of the holy souls in Purgatory. "In this," says the Roman Catechism, "we must praise the infinite goodness and mercy of God with greatest thankfulness, that He has granted