Devotion of the day: the duty to pray for the souls of the dead

Duty of nature. Can you see a sick person laden with sores, without feeling pity? Can you see a poor man, on the street, die of hunger without helping him? If a prisoner in chains presented himself to you, begging you to break his shackles, you, if you could, wouldn't you? Well then: faith paints your souls in purgatory groaning in pain, languishing with the love of God, nailed in the flames without being able to help themselves; and you won't feel pity for them? Won't you even say a Requiem?

Duty of Religion. They are all your sisters in Jesus Christ; charity towards your neighbor commands you to do to others what you love done to you. Jesus will ask you for an account if you have quenched your thirst, fed, dressed, visited in the person of your neighbor, of the souls in purgatory; and what will you answer? Jesus says that the same measure will be used with you as you use with others; you think about it? Jesus cries Sitio, I am thirsty for those Souls; and you will not even make a mortification for them, for love of Jesus?

Duty of justice. Who are those souls? Maybe people unknown and not at all related to you. Look at them carefully: they are your relatives, your ancestors, your benefactors, your brothers, perhaps dead for many years, but who still groan in prison; and you don't know the strict duty to help them? Maybe they are tormented because of you; and you don't think about it? There are souls scandalized by you there. Souls to whom you promised suffrages or to whom you owe them, and don't you hear the voice of justice that reproaches you?

PRACTICE. - Listen to the Holy Mass, or recite three De profundis.