The souls in purgatory are too often forgotten by Catholics, and I fear this is often out of a misguided desire not seem medieval (as if that were a bad thing), superstitious, or worse yet, ecumenically insensitive. Getting more personal, when is the last time you prayed for the Holy Souls? If you’re like many Catholics, the answer is not recently. When is the last time you heard a homily on purgatory? If your parish is like most, it’s been a very long time. “Purgatory shows God’s great mercy and washes away the defects of those who long to become one with Him.” – St.