St. Josemaria’s clever reason to pray for the souls in Purgatory

During this month of November, the Church has given us an extra encouragement to pray for the souls in Purgatory, expanding the possibilities for indulgences.

(See below, and check out our handy primer on indulgences, Part 1 and Part 2).

But, St. Josemaria Escriva has a recommendation that might make us think of Matthew 10:16, and Jesus’ exhortation to be “wise as serpents.”

The great Spanish saint says we should pray for these souls because of an “excusable selfishness,” since in turn, their own prayers have “such power with God.” He implies that, naturally, they will remember those who have prayed for them when they arrive in Heaven!

Here’s what the saint suggests:

The holy souls in purgatory. Out of charity, out of justice, and out of excusable selfishness — they have such power with God! — remember them often in your sacrifices and in your prayers.

May you be able to say when you speak of them, ‘My good friends the souls in purgatory.’

The Way, 571

Read more:Vatican again extends November indulgences

Read more:10 Sayings of St. Josemaría Escrivá to encourage us to be joyful

Read more:St. John Henry Newman gives this comforting vision of purgatory