Dante and Virgil Entering Purgatory, Luca Signorelli; 1499-1502

FATHER Francis Xavier Weninger explained in 1876 why we pray for the souls in Purgatory:

“In that abode of sorrow the departed souls hunger after the possession of God, and with so famishing a desire that nothing on earth can be compared with it. They thirst after the fountain of eternal life with that thirst which knows no comparison in this world. They suffer; poor and destitute of all worldly goods. Yea! they are even deprived of all those consolations which at times lessen our desires, and afford us moments of repose. Here upon earth, though we long and sigh ever so much after a thing, still we can sleep; and the pains produced by our heart’s desires in our waking moments leave us, we feel them no longer. We can engage ourselves in other occupations; other cares may distract our minds. We may, at times, enjoy various pleasures, and partake of the good things of this life. Now all these things remove, or, at least, soothe the pain and care of our desires. Not so, however, is the condition of these distressed souls. They have no refreshing slumber; they are incessantly awake; they have no occupation; they can not indulge in other cares, in other distractions. They are wholly and continually absorbed with the burning desire of being liberated from their intense misery.”

See prayers for the faithful departed here and here.

From The Litany of the Dead

Lord have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Christ have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Lord have mercy on us.
Jesus, receive our prayers.
Lord Jesus, grant our petitions.

O God the Father, Creator of the world,
Have mercy on the souls of the faithful departed.

O God the Son, Redeemer of mankind,
Deliver the souls of the faithful departed,

O God the Holy Ghost, perfector of the elect,
Acomplish the bliss of the faithful departed.

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