St. Faustina Kowalska, the Polish nun known for her powerful visions of Divine Mercy, told us about God’s great mercy towards the holy souls in purgatory—and how we can participate in that mercy.
Her diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul, often reflects on the beauty of praying for the often-forgotten souls who suffer so much. In fact, St. Faustina reminds us that it is a gift to remember and pray for these souls.
Her diary recounts a profound vision of purgatory where she witnessed souls suffering deeply. Yet, amidst their great suffering, they were overcome by gratitude for any intercessory prayer on their behalf. These souls are so grateful because they cannot help themselves. Through God’s Mercy, they rely on our feeble prayers to speed their journey to heaven.
She writes, “I saw my Guardian Angel, who ordered me to follow him. In a moment I was in a misty place full of fire in which there was a great crowd of suffering souls. They were praying fervently, but to no avail, for themselves; only we can come to their aid” (Diary, 20).
Faustina’s vision reminds us of something we often forget: the holy souls in purgatory are entirely dependent on the prayers of the living. They cannot lessen their suffering without us.
Her message is clear: we have a real responsibility toward them. In her words, “If you only knew what great merits and rewards you acquire by helping them, for such great good deeds as these are rewarded by God” (Diary, 1388).
For Faustina, praying for the souls in purgatory wasn’t just a good deed—it was an essential act of mercy. She believed that praying for them united her more closely to Christ, Who desires that all souls be united with Him. When we offer our prayers, sacrifices, and Masses for them, we participate in that Divine Mercy, bridging the gap between their purification and final union with God.
So, inspired by St. Faustina, let’s take up the call to pray for those who need our help. The St. Faustina Prayer Book for the Holy Souls in Purgatory by Susan Tassone provides a rich collection of prayers, devotions, and meditations inspired by St. Faustina. Through her guidance, we can learn how to pray more frequently for these souls waiting for their final joy. Order your copy today and join St. Faustina in the beautiful mission of aiding souls on their journey to heaven!
