Confraternity of the Poor Souls

On March 25, 2020, Archbishop Adam Szal approved the prayers for the Confraternity of Poor Souls of Father Venance Katarzyniec for private recitation. The Confraternity was founded on the initiative of those taking part in the “Silent Retreats… with Father Venance”, which take place in the spring and fall at the Sanctuary of the Passion of Our Lord and Our Lady in Calvary Pacławska. Prayers for the suffering souls in purgatory was an important part of the spiritual life of the servant of God Father Venance Katarzyniec. In his breviary, which is kept in the archives of the Franciscan friary in Krakow, to this day contains a leaflet with prayers for the souls suffering in purgatory, which are based on the private revelations to Bl. Taide from the 4th century. These prayers were prayed daily by the servant of God. Anyone who wishes to pray more intensely for the deceased and seek graces through their intercession can belong to the Confraternity of The Poor Souls of Father of Venance Katarzyniec. There are no special rules for belonging to the Confraternity, it is enough to desire to pray for our Brothers and Sisters who have preceded us on the way to eternity and are waiting for their joyful encounter in Home of our Heavenly Father. This prayer is assisted by a small leaflet prepared by the Franciscans of Calvary Pacławska. It can be ordered at the Calvary shrine by writing to Klasztor Franciszkanów (Bractwo Dusz Czyśćcowych), 37-743 Kalwaria Pacławska 40, or email: wenanty.katarzyniec@gmail.com.

To join the fraternity, it is enough to pray daily for the souls in in purgatory, which you can find below – you do not need to communicate their desire to join or send your personal information.

Daily Prayer for the Suffering Souls in Purgatory
(based on the revelations of Bl. Taide from the year 360 which was recited by Fr. Venance Katarzyniec)

The prayers are recited on the rosary

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be
thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen

Hail Mary, Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary,
Mother of God, pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death. Amen

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God,
the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
(50 times)

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
And let the perpetual light shine upon them,
May they rest in eternal peace. Amen

Prayer

O The most holy wounds of our Jesus, which have cost Him so much pain and Blood.
The most honorable wounds, as evidence of His infinite love for us,
have mercy on the poor souls and on me
a wretched sinner.
(50 times)

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
And let the perpetual light shine upon them,
May they rest in eternal peace.

Prayer:

Holy souls who have gone from this world to purgatory
and are anticipating Heaven, pray for me
and ask for all the graces I need…,
which I beseech before the God’s majesty.
Amen.

Here are five reasons to pray for solace for your brothers and sisters in purgatory:

1. The pain is real
2. These souls are our loved ones
3. You too may be there
4. Praying for others will bring you joy
5. It is not difficult

“If only one soul were to be condemned,
should not everyone fear not to be so”.

(From the notes of Fr. Venance Katarzyniec)

Act of Daily Offering of Fr. Venance Katarzyniec

My eternal God. I fall before Your infinite majesty with deep humility, I worship You, I offer You all my thoughts, words and deeds of this day, and I resolve to do everything out of love for You, to praise Your divine will, to serve You, to praise and bless You, to obtain enlightenment of the mysteries of our Holy Faith, to attain salvation and trust in your mercy, to atone to your righteousness for my many grievous sins, and at the same time bring relief to the suffering souls in purgatory and plead for the grace of true conversion of all sinners.

Accept, my loving God, my good intentions and graciously bestow your blessing with effective grace, that I may not for the rest of my life commit any mortal sin, especially today, which I ardently desire and plan to obtain all the indulgences I am able.

I also desire to be present before all the most holy sacrifices that are to be celebrated today throughout the world in order to offer them for the suffering souls in purgatory, so that they may be liberated from torment. Amen

Imprimatur:
Przemyśl, March 25, 2020 r., L.dz. 433/151/2020
Abp Adam Szal, Metropolita Przemyski ob. łac.

For private recitation