Father Casimir Wyszynski

gation, which also bears the special title of the Immaculate Con- ception of the Virgin Mary.” 29 In the Foreward to the book by Francis Arias, S.J., alreadymen- tioned above, which Father Casimir translated, edited, and pub- lished in 1749, and to which he gave the title of Morning Star , Venerable Casimir spoke about the Marians as the venerators of Mary and advocates for the poor souls in Purgatory. Discussing the virtue of love of neighbor which Christians are to practice, supported by Mary’s intercession, he goes beyond Arias’s text and adds his own comment: “We can greatly help the souls of our neighborswho repay God’s justice in Purgatory. It can be said that our coming with greater love and compassion to the rescue of our neighbors in their greatest journey is the noblest act of love. It is impossible to think of any greater earthly need of our neigh- bor than the relief of the souls of the departed in the flames of Purgatory. We give a great witness to love of neighbor when we come to their rescue with prayers, holy Masses, alms and other pious deeds. By rescuing our neighbors’ souls, the souls of God’s friends, we gain great merit from God. The Scriptures confirm this salutary counsel and teaching as they say in the Book of Mac- cabees: “It is therefore a holy andwholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins” (2 Mch 12:46, Douay-Rheims, American Edition Bible, 1899; i.e. from the re- straint of their sins.) Hence, for centuries the Holy Church has been opening the great treasure of love for the redemption of souls through themerits of Christ’s Passion. Through special priv- ileges the Church grants also to us, Marians, the means to rescue them, namely: apostolic permission to found confraternities, to have privileged altars and indulgences for certain prayers. To neg- lect these means, causes great damage to our love of neighbor. If someone refuses this kind of assistance to the souls in Purgatory, he knows no love of neighbor and thus he has no love of God. On the other hand, we faithful sons and daughters of the Holy Catholic Church, do not suppress our love for the souls of our neighbors and our ancestors. Moreover, hoping to gain merit 29 Ibid, 366-367. 79 The Servant of Mary Immaculate