An army of souls stands ready to help us and to protect our cities and countries. These are the souls in Purgatory, who are waiting only for our prayers so that they may be set free and act powerfully.
But how can we obtain their help?

When Our Prayers Intersect with Those of the Departed

In the Catholic tradition, prayer for the dead weaves a network of spiritual support of unsuspected power. This is the mystery of the Communion of Saints. While the souls in Purgatory suffer to complete their purification, they can no longer pray for themselves. However, theology teaches that they can intercede for the living.

As early as the Second Book of Maccabees (12:46), Scripture affirms that “it is holy and salutary to pray for the dead.” By offering our Masses and prayers to hasten their entry into Heaven, we secure the eternal gratitude of these souls, who will work tirelessly for the protection of our families, our cities, and our nations.

From Purgatory to Heaven: Saint Padre Pio’s Personal Guard

The famous Capuchin friar from Pietrelcina, Saint Padre Pio, had a unique connection with the invisible world. He often said that more souls from Purgatory climbed the mountain at San Giovanni Rotondo to ask for his prayers than living faithful did. For Padre Pio, every soul set free immediately became a heavenly sentinel. He explained that the gratitude of the souls who had been saved is immense: once they have entered into the glory of God, they intercede tirelessly to ward off calamities, bring peace to communities, and raise a spiritual shield over the places where people prayed for them.

The Secret Strength of Saint Catherine of Bologna: The Intercession of the Suffering Souls

Saint Catherine of Bologna, an Italian mystic and Poor Clare, revealed in the 15th century a fundamental spiritual insight into the power of these souls:

“When I wish to obtain a grace with certainty, I turn to these suffering souls in Purgatory, so that they may present my request to the Heavenly Father, and the grace is almost always granted.”

Her experience shows that appealing to the souls in Purgatory and praying for their relief is an incredibly effective means of obtaining urgent providential help, particularly when the peace, justice, or security of a city is threatened.

Maria Simma’s Call: Preserving Peace Among Nations in the Face of Peril

In the 20th century, the Austrian Maria Simma dedicated her life to the apostolate for forgotten souls. Guided by her mystical experiences (which have been carefully examined by numerous theologians), she often emphasized the strategic role of the deceased in defending peoples.

According to her testimonies, praying for the deliverance of neglected souls helps avert major catastrophes, defuse divisions, and draw divine protection upon entire countries. The liberated souls become true intercessors before the Throne of God to preserve the peace of the nations that have come to their aid.

During the octave of All Saints’ Day, how can we build a shield around our cities?

On All Saints’ Day and for the seven days that follow, each of us can help souls in Purgatory be freed and go to Heaven, from where they will grant us their powerful assistance. To do this, all we need to do is obtain a plenary indulgence for them.
It’s very simple; here’s how to do it:
On All Saints’ Day—and if we wish, during the days that follow—we are invited to:

1. 1. Visit a cemetery and pray for a deceased person.
      For example: “Lord, grant him eternal rest…”
      + One Our Father, one Hail Mary, one Gloria. Or a Rosary. Or other prayers.
   2. Receive Holy Communion
      Attend Mass and receive Communion every day we wish to gain a plenary indulgence.
   3. Pray for the Pope’s Intentions : Here is the intention for November 2026:
      “Let us pray that wealth may be used wisely so that, by resisting the temptation of selfishness, it may always serve the common good and foster solidarity with the most disadvantaged.”
   4. Go to confession within eight days before or after the chosen day.
      A single confession is sufficient for multiple indulgences.
      NB: It is important to be in a state of grace and without attachment to sin (even venial). We can make a sincere act of contrition, with the will to reject all sins.

What many people don’t know: We can obtain a plenary indulgence every day. So, if we do steps 1, 2, and 3 every day during the Octave of All Saints, we can free eight souls! And if many of us do this, a great army will be gathered to bring social peace to our countries…

You can also apply any regular daily plenary indulgence to a soul in Purgatory by performing one of these acts:

• Adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament for at least 30 minutes.
• Praying the Holy Rosary in a church, public oratory, family, or religious community.
• Reading or listening to Sacred Scripture piously for at least 30 minutes.
• Praying the Stations of the Cross in a church or oratory.

For further reading:

• Catechism of the Catholic Church (nos. 958 and 1030–1032).
• Second Book of Maccabees (Maccabees 12:38–46).
• Life and Writings of Saint Padre Pio (Éditions du Cerf / Mediaspaul).
• The Souls in Purgatory Told Me…, interviews with Marie Simma.