Susan Tassone – Praying with the Saints for the Holy Souls in Purgatory on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

Praying with the Saints for the Holy Souls in Purgatory by Susan Tassone – Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor Podcast Summary In this episode of Inside the Pages, Kris McGregor welcomes bestselling Catholic author Susan Tassone to discuss her book, Praying with the Saints for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, published by Our Sunday Visitor. Drawing upon the teachings and experiences of the saints, Tassone explores the Church's understanding of purgatory as an expression of God's mercy and love. Rather than approaching purgatory with fear or sadness, she encourages Catholics to recognize it as a place of purification and preparation for eternal union with God. Through the examples of St. Nicholas of Tolentino, St. Gregory the Great, St. Faustina, St. Catherine of Genoa, and other saints, the conversation reveals the importance of praying for the faithful departed and the spiritual bond that unites the Church on earth with the souls in purgatory and the saints in heaven. Kris and Susan also discuss the extraordinary power of the Holy Mass, the tradition of Gregorian Masses, and the importance of offering prayers, rosaries, and indulgences for the holy souls. Tassone explains why the Church has always encouraged the faithful to remember those who have died and how these acts of charity are an expression of our participation in the Communion of Saints. The conversation also considers the importance of recovering Catholic devotional practices within families and passing them on to future generations. Ultimately, this episode reminds listeners that praying for the holy souls is not simply a tradition from the past, but an enduring work of mercy that deepens our love for God, strengthens our faith, and encourages us to pursue holiness in our own lives. Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions: 1. The Gift of God's Mercy: Susan Tassone describes purgatory as a place of purification and healing, where souls are being prepared for heaven. How does this help us understand God's mercy and His desire for our holiness? 2. Our Responsibility to the Holy Souls: The saints took seriously the need to pray for those who have died. Do we have the same awareness today? What might happen when we begin to see praying for the holy souls as an act of love rather than simply an obligation? 3. The Power of the Mass: Susan speaks about the importance of offering Masses for both the living and the deceased. Do we fully appreciate what God makes available to us through the sacrifice of the Mass? 4. The Witness of the Saints: St. Nicholas of Tolentino and St. Gregory the Great had a particular devotion to the holy souls. What can their examples teach us about the importance of persevering in prayer for others, even when we cannot see its fruits? 5. The Communion of Saints: Susan reminds us that the Church on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the saints in heaven remain united in Christ. How might a deeper awareness of this communion change the way we pray for our deceased loved ones? 6. Passing on the Faith: Susan expresses concern that many Catholic devotional traditions have been lost between generations. What responsibility do we have to preserve and pass on the practice of praying for the dead, especially within our own families? 7. Preparing for Heaven: Susan points to forgiveness, accepting suffering, receiving the sacraments, and doing God's will as ways of growing in holiness. Which of these teachings challenges you most in your own spiritual journey? 8. Remembering Those Who Have Died: We often pray for loved ones immediately following their deaths, but those prayers can diminish as time passes. How can we develop a more faithful and lasting practice of remembering the departed, including souls who may have no one praying for them?