November is traditionally the month of prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. In honor of this tradition, we would like to share with you an excerpt from Purgatory: A Guide (Marian Press). Saint Stanislaus Papczynski (1631-1701), the Founder of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, had a deep devotion for the Holy Souls in Purgatory that has since become integrated into the lives of each and every Marian priest and brother. Father Stanislaus was responding to the times in which he lived. Poland was constantly at war - with the Muscovites, Cossacks, Turks, Tartars, and Swedes. He witnessed the carnage and saw many soldiers and innocent civilians die without receiving the Sacraments. Realizing that most of them were unprepared to meet God, he remembered them in prayer, especially at Holy Mass. Later, his personal mystical experiences intensified his devotion for the Holy Souls, as he grew in understanding how much they suffer. Father Stanislaus was keenly aware that those baptized souls who died unprepared might have to suffer in Purgatory in order to purify them of all sin, so they could enter, holy and immaculate, into their heavenly reward. He would pray for hours, sometimes spending the entire night in the chapel, and there he would descend in spirit into Purgatory and stay with them, praying for them the whole time. Since he served as a chaplain in the Polish Army led by King John III Sobieski, Fr. Stanislaus felt obliged to extend his spiritual care to the souls of the soldiers who had died in battle by praying at their gravesites. There is even testimony that the souls of the fallen soldiers would appear to him, begging for his intercession before God. After further reflection, Fr. Stanislaus began to include in his prayers those who died from the pestilence that usually followed the wars. He would devote his Masses, prayers, mortifications, penances, and all kinds of works of mercy to the Holy Souls, and he always encouraged others to do the same, especially the members of his Congregation. One day, after saying Holy Mass, Fr. Stanislaus was having dinner with a family he was serving as spiritual director. At the table, he fell into an ecstasy. Then, after a while, he regained his senses. Despite the table in front of him being set for a sumptuous meal, he stood up and walked out the door. He then ordered the coachman to take him back to his monastery. There, his confreres were surprised to see him back so quickly and asked him what was the matter. He said to them, "Pray, brethren, for the souls who suffer in Purgatory, for they suffer unbearably!" Then, he went to his room and locked himself in, staying there without food or drink for many days and ardently praying for the souls in Purgatory. When Fr. Stanislaus preached or talked about the suffering that souls go through while in Purgatory, he would often have tears in his eyes and tremble. He claimed that there were so many souls in Purgatory that their number was far beyond those who are in the world. Those who knew him testified that whenever he fell into an ecstasy, he was in Purgatory taking on the suffering of the souls who were there. Father Stanislaus wrote that he would ask God to increase his sufferings on earth, so that he could help as many souls as possible. He offered all of his illnesses, pains, labors, persecutions, mortifications, and all his pious works in sacrifice for ‘They Suffer Unbearably’
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