Heroic Act of Charity
An"Heroic Act of Charity"
is the offering of the satisfactory value (not the merits)
of all of our sufferings and works for the rest of our lives and of any time we may spend in Purgatory for the relief of
the souls in Purgatory. We do this by first deciding to do so, and then praying (using our own words or the more formal
prayer below) to offer these things to God through Mary's hands.
Doing this is not a matter of taking a vow; it doesn't bind under pain of sin, and it is revokable (unless one vows
never to revoke the Act). But it is a tremendous sacrifice, hence the name. It is truly heroic, a giving up of one's
own earned relief from the temporal effects of sin -- even relief of the sufferings of Purgatory -- for the good of
others.
In addition to asking God to use their satisfactory works for the souls in Purgatory, those who make this Act also
receive a plenary indulgence (under the usual conditions) for the souls in Purgatory each time they receive Communion,
and each time they hear Mass on Mondays for the sake of the departed.
The Days of the Dead
The entire month of November is devoted to the Poor Souls in Purgatory, and Rosaries for the dead are offered during
this time, with the Eternal Rest prayer replacing the Fatima prayer. The month-long devotion begins with three
consecutive "Days of the Dead" at the end Of October and early November:
The Days of the Dead are:
October 31st: the day on which we unofficially recall the realities of Hell
and how to avoid it;
November 1st: the day on which we officially honor God's Saints of the
Church Triumphant;
November 2nd: the day on which we officially commemorate and pray for
all the faithful departed of the Church Suffering.
One of the most commonly recited of Catholic prayers in times past, this prayer has fallen into disuse in the last
few decades. Prayer for the dead, however, is one of the greatest acts of charity we can perform, to help them during
their time in Purgatory, so that they can enter quicker into the fullness of heaven. If you are offering the prayer
for a particular person, you can substitute "him" or "her" for "them".
Eternal Rest
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen
More Information
Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ
Artist: Dr. Ashraf Ferky1
Formal Act of Heroic Charity
O Holy and Adorable Trinity, desiring to aid in the relief and release of the Holy Souls in
Purgatory, through my devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, I cede and renounce, on behalf of these souls, all the
satisfactory part of my works, and all the suffrages which may be given to me after my death.
In their entirety, I offer them to Mary, the Most Holy Mother of God, that she may use them,
according to her good pleasure, for those souls of the faithful departed whom she desires to alleviate their suffering.
O my God, deign to accept and bless my offering which I make to Thee through the most august Queen of Heaven and
Earth. Amen.
Praying Hands
Artist: Summer4482