24th and Last Sunday after Pentecost

 It's the 24th and last Sunday after Pentecost in the traditional Liturgical Calendar. In the newfangled, it's the Feast of Christ the King, celebrated on the last Sunday of October in the traditional. 

OK, with that potential bit of confusion out of the way, we cite the fact that it's the final Sunday before the beginning of Advent in both calendars. (Ah, at least some agreement there!) While Advent begins in November this year, and November remains the month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory, on a practical level, our efforts to pray in a special way from these poor souls may run into some roadblocks. These would be in form of Thanksgiving - coming up this week - as well as Advent, which may refocus our attention on the horizon: Christmas.

So with the time left for our devotions for the Holy Souls, we return for a final run at the Heroic Vow, the subject of the last two Sunday posts. Again, Father Schouppe leads the way.

“Venerable Denis the Carthusian relates that the virgin St. Gertrude had made a complete donation of all her works of satisfaction in favor of the faithful departed, without reserving anything wherewith to discharge the debts which she herself might have contracted in the sight of God. Being at the point of death, and, like all the saints, considering with much sorrow the great number of her sins on the one hand, and, on the other, remembering that she had employed all her works of satisfaction for the expiation of the sins of others, she was afflicted, lest, having given all to others and reserved nothing for herself, her soul, on its departure from this world, should be condemned to horrible suffering. In the midst of her fears Our Lord appeared to her and consoled her, saying: ‘Be assured, my daughter, your charity towards the departed will be no detriment to you. Know that the generous donation you have made of all our works to the holy souls has been singularly pleasing to Me; and to give you a proof thereof, I declare to you that all the pains you would have had to endure in the other life are now remitted; moreover, in recompense for your generous charity, I will so enhance the value of the merits of your works as to give you a greater increase of glory in heaven.” - Fr. F.X. Schouppe, S.J. (1823-1904)

Here we find an explicit assurance from Our Lord regarding any concern we may have of "giving up" the benefit of what we offer up for the sake of the Holy Souls. These could be specific acts of penance and mortification. Remember that penance does not have to be a specific act that we decide to perform, such as fasting or abstinence (over and above those the Church obliges). While these are admirable, let's not forget that the "passive" acts of penance can be even more so. These include any suffering that's not self-imposed. Simple things such as silence in the face of uncharitable words or actions committed against us. These tend to be harder than active penance. We have to mortify our natural tendency to respond or even strike back. And in that passive acceptance we offer up, as with active penance, the satisfaction we might have gained as a means to repair the damage sin has done to our own soul as well as, perhaps, other persons.

Let's not forget, too, charitable works, most especially those thoughts, words, and actions directed at or for the sake of people we're not that crazy about. These are prime offerings for the Holy Souls.

One last mention: Having re-stated my own Heroic Vow (as a result of these recent postings), that re-statement has refreshed not only my intention, but also my attention. I have been more conscious of those times ripe for offering up this or that for the Holy Souls. So if you decide to commit to this Heroic Vow, do refresh the Vow from time to time to bring it forward in your consciousness. 

As Catholic men at work, we're typically quite busy day to day. There's lots that commands our attention. But if we spend any time at all thinking of the Holy Souls, it should be apparent that they deserve primacy of place in our hearts and minds. Their suffering should melt our hearts and keep our minds focused on the wonderful work we can do for them.

Oh, and let's not forget that, while November will soon draw to a close, our Heroic Vow remains in place 24/7/365.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

Happy Sunday!