Among Catholics, November is often referred to as the month of the “Poor Souls,” the time when we remember and pray for all those who have gone before us in death but who have not yet attained their final happiness, heaven.
As I see it, next to being in heaven, our next greatest happiness is to be a “poor soul” or, better, a “happy soul,” that is, someone who is assured of one day being with God forever.
I understand the reason for the expression, “Poor Souls.” At death we experience “particular judgement.” Based on how we have lived our lives, we are judged to be worthy of heaven, hell or purgatory. Unless one is a saint or a martyr at death, I would guess that most of us will find ourselves not yet ready for heaven and, thank God, not deserving of hell. That leaves Purgatory.
For me, Pope Emeritus Benedict best describes the meaning of Purgatory. For him, the souls in Purgatory are “poor” only in one sense: having seen at death the ineffably beautiful face of God, they now long to be with God forever. This will happen for them in time, but for now they are not quite ready for that blessed joy.
As Pope Emeritus Benedict puts it, they still need “to be put right.” Being “put right” is a very helpful way of understanding what is meant by “Purgatory.” The “poor souls” are being prepared for eternal happiness with God and with all the Saints, including their family and friends who are now with God or who will one day be with God. In the comforting words of Wisdom, the Blessed are now in the hands of God and at peace. Having been tested, the have been proved worthy. In but an interval, the “happy souls” in Purgatory will finally and fully be “put right” as well. Then they will be ready to join the saints in glory.
So, for me, the month of November is better understood as the month of “Happy Souls,” for they have the “blessed assurance” for which we all long: union with God forever!
God be Praised!
Gratefully,
V. Rev. Lewis S. Fiorelli, OSFS
Provincial
Wilmington/Philadelphia Province
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
This reflection originally appeared in DeSales Weekly, the e-newsletter of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales.
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