Christmas In July
By Author Susan Tassone

Alongside the Mass and Holy Rosary, The Way of the Cross is a most powerful and at the same time easily available means ofhelping the Poor Souls in Purgatory and acquiring merit for ourselves. Nothing is more pleasing to Our Lord than devout meditation on His bitter sufferings. Many teachers of the spiritual life assure us that more benefit is derived through loving meditation on the sufferings of Our Lord than by the practice of rigorous penances and the recitation of long prayers. Moreover, contemplating our Lord in His bitter sufferings is the best means to fill us with contrition for sin and invite us to the practice of penance and mortification. The atoning merit which we thus acquire may be applied to the Holy Souls and will, without doubt, afford them great relief in their pain.

In the life of the Venerable Mary of Antiqua, a nun of her convent appeared to her after death and complained, "Why is it you do not perform for me and for other suffering souls the Devotion of the Stations of the Cross?" The servant of God stood speechless at these words. Then she heard Jesus say to her, "The Devotion of the Stations of the Cross is so profitable to the souls in Purgatory that this soul has come to demand it of you in the name of all. It is a most efficacious suffrage for the souls in Purgatory who on their part, will be praying for you and defending your cause before my Justice."

Our Lady of Medjugorje tells us, "Most souls are released on Christmas Day, not All Souls Day." So we invite you to give the Holy Souls "Christmas in July!" The summer is a time to relax, vacation, and travel. Unfortunately, for the Holy Souls languishing in Purgatory, they never have time off. They suffer day and night - 24 Hours a day, 7 days a week! We tend to forget our Holy Heroes when they need us most desperately. What an ideal time to help them and ourselves.

An efficacious means of obtaining favors from Heaven is to assist at Holy Mass and pray the Stations of the Cross for the Holy Souls in Purgatory for 33 consecutive days for the Holy Souls in honor of Our Lord's 33 years He spent on earth. What a marvelous summer devotion in July for the Holy Souls. You can easily do these at home if you are unable to attend Mass. Many favors have been obtained by this means that were not received through the intercession of the Saints.

The month of July is dedicated to the Precious Blood. The Souls long for the Precious Blood of Jesus. St. Thomas Aquinas tells us that "as the dew refreshes and raises up the withering plants and flowers, so does the Blood of Christ revive and comfort and bring renewed hope to the Poor Souls in Purgatory." The 33-Day Devotions for the Holy Souls offer a powerful method of praying for departed family and friends. It will surely elevate your soul as well! And remember, ingratitude has never entered Heaven! The holy souls will intercede for you all the days of your life until you are safely home in Heaven! What a Summer Bargain!

Editor's note: Susan Tassone is author of the besting selling books for the Holy Souls: Stations of the Cross for the Holy Souls in Purgatory; Praying in the Presence of Our Lord for the Holy Souls, in Purgatory; The Rosary for the Holy Souls; 30 Day Devotions for the Holy Souls; and Prayers of Intercession for the Holy Souls

For the past two years Joan passed a very small cemetery. There were approximately 25 headstones. There was no fence or name of the cemetery. Joan passed this cemetery twice each Friday on her way to and from the hospital where she volunteered. Each time she passed the cemetery she prayed for the souls in Purgatory. Joan always made the Sign of the Cross while she faced the cemetery.

A few weeks ago Joan was coming back from the hospital. She prayed for the Holy Souls. Silently, she wondered after two years if any soul was released from Purgatory. Just as she was completing the Sign of the Cross, Joan stopped for the light and she saw the license plate in front of her and it read:

"CU-IN-HVN." Joan had such a euphoric feeling. She knew she released a soul from Purgatory! And that is what's in it for YOU when you prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory! Spirit of Medjugorje editor June Klins note: I asked Susan if this was a true story and she assured me that it was!

As published in "The Spirit of Medjugorje" newsletter. Used with permission by Susan Tassone and June Klins.