Our Mission
The Central Ohio Purgatorial Society is a lay apostolate dedicated to offering prayers, fasting, Mass, and other spiritual works of mercy to benefit the holy souls in Purgatory. It was inspired by similar confraternities in Europe. It has been canonically recognized as a Private Association of the Faithful by the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio.
Who Can Participate
Any Catholic in good standing, who is of good moral character, and who has reached the age of reason in the Catholic Church is encouraged to join us in our spiritual works of mercy.
How to Participate
The primary way to participate is to join us in our First Tuesday Devotion. On the first Tuesday of every month:
- Make a suitable fast (water only, bread and water, etc) or day-long mortification from waking through 7pm. When tempted to break the fast, say the prayer of St. Gertrude the Great.
- Attend Mass, and offer it for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. If unable to attend Mass, listen to Mass or watch one online, and make a spiritual communion.
- Pray the Chaplet for the Dead and recite the litany of Prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. You can download a PDF with these prayers from this link.
On All Souls' Day, November 2nd, perform the same steps as the First Tuesday Devotion. In addition, visit a cemetery and pray five decades of the Sorrowful Mysteries with the intention of the Holy Souls. Participation on All Souls' Day takes the place of the First Tuesday Devotion.
You are also encouraged to attend funeral Masses for departed members of your parish, and recite the Chaplet for the Dead and Litany of Prayers for the Holy Souls after the conclusion of Mass, with the intention of the deceased.
The full constitution of the society can be downloaded here.