LIBERA ME, Domine, Iesu Christe, ab omnibus iniquitatis meis et universis malis,
fac me tuis semper inhærere mandatis et a te numquam separari permittas. Amen.



Thursday 18 February 2010

Lenten Almsgiving


As I’m sure we were all told yesterday, one of the three key aspects of Lent is Almsgiving; and, of course, we can all think of a huge number of excellent causes to which we can profitably give alms . . . indeed, even were we all as rich as Bill Gates, we would never run out of deserving charities to support.

However, there’s one ‘charity’ which one doesn’t hear mentioned very often, but which is nonetheless a valuable destination for any alms you may care to give; and with the added benefit that you don’t necessarily need plastic – or even cash – to do so.

I refer, of course, to the Holy Souls.

Their need is just a great as that of anyone on earth; and one can give so much to them for so little . . . a single Hail Mary, or Requiem Aeternam is a priceless treasure when it’s all that stands between a Soul and its entry into glory – and, of course, when they get to Heaven, they are then praying for us, and repaying our generosity to them many times over.

Of course, you could always fund a stipend for a Mass for the Holy Souls – whether in general, or specifically for particular ones known to you – and I’d obviously urge you to do that if you can : but even without that, surely we can all say at least one extra prayer every day of this Lent for them . . . especially for all those whom we loved so much when they were alive ?

This takes so little in terms of your time, and your effort . . . even a Decade of the Rosary for the Holy Souls each day is hardly much to ask – yet it means so much; and think how much difference we could make if every Catholic said just one extra prayer for the Holy Souls every day of this Lent.

Will you think about giving an Alms to the Holy Souls this Lent ?

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