An Intercessory Prayer of the Church Militant for the Church Suffering in Purgatory

  "It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins."
                                                                           --2 Mach. xii. 46

Catechism of  St Pius X

9 Q. Does the Communion of Saints extend also to heaven and purgatory?

A. Yes, the Communion of Saints also extends to heaven and purgatory, because charity unites the three Churches — the Triumphant, the Suffering and the Militant; the Saints pray to God both for us and for the souls in purgatory; while we on our part give honour and glory to the Saints, and are able to relieve the suffering souls in purgatory by applying on their behalf indulgences and other good works.

118 Q. Do those who die after having received absolution but before they have fully satisfied the justice of God, go straight to Heaven?

A. No, they go to Purgatory there to satisfy the justice of God and be perfectly purified.

119 Q. Can the souls in Purgatory be relieved of their pains by us?

A. Yes, the souls in Purgatory can be relieved by our prayers, alms-deeds, all our other good works, and by indulgences, but above all by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

"He himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire."--1 Cor. iii. 15

Intercessory Prayer of the Church Militant for the Church Suffering in Purgatory

Ye souls of the faithful! Who sleep in the Lord; But as yet are shut out From your final reward! Oh! would I could lend you Assistance to fly; From your prison below, To your palace on high: O Father of mercies! Thine anger withhold; These works of Thy hand In Thy mercy behold; Too oft from Thy path They have wandered aside: But Thee, their Creator, They never denied. O tender Redeemer! Their misery see; Deliver the souls That were ransomed by Thee; Behold how they love Thee, Despite of their pain: Restore them, restore them To favour again.

O Spirit of grace! O Consoler divine! See how for Thy presence They longingly pine; Ah, then, to enliven Their sadness, descend; And fill them with peace, And with joy in the end. O Mother of mercy! Dear soother in grief! Lend thou to their torments A balmy relief; Attemper the rigour Of justice severe; And soften their flames With a pitying tear. All ye who would honour The Saints and their Head, Remember, remember, To pray for the dead; And they, in return, From their misery freed, To you will be friends In the hour of need.