Jules Pascal Coly is a priest in the diocese of Saint-Louis in Senegal. Assigned to the Marian shrine of Notre-Dame des Savanes, he is also the diocesan bursar. For the pilgrimages of Heaven 2024, he chose to come to Normandy to attend a group of pilgrims from the Paris suburb of Les Mureaux, as they gathered at shrine in Montligeon.
He explains: “I came specially from Senegal in order to be the spiritual attendant of the group. They are very fervent for the souls in Purgatory.” He does not regard this process as just a duty but a real spiritual engagement. A pilgrimage becomes a unique opportunity to share a living faith and rediscover the power of prayer for the deceased.
Prayer, a win-win communion
Abbott Jules Pascal asserts convincingly: “I really like praying for the souls in purgatory, because when you connect with them, it is a win-win connection.” Prayer, he explains, bring a reciprocal grace. The living intercede for the purification of the deceased and, once they have entered into the light of God, the deceased interced in turn for those who have prayed for them.
“The benefit is really for both sides”, he insists. Such communion recalls the teachings of the Church, i.e. the link between the Church on earth, the Church in Heaven and the suffering Church in purgatory is never broken. Praying for the souls in purgatory thus becomes a charitable action as well as a source of hope for those who remain on this earth.
Discovering the shrine at Montligeon
Until now, Abbott Jules Pascal had only heard about Montligeon “by hearsay”. Since he arrived, he has discovered a unique place. “I am happy to know this sanctuary”, he confides. What he sees here confirms what he had already started to experience in his parishes. Each time he would hear about the death of somebody, he would spontaneously celebrate a Mass.
“What I liked in Montligeon was that communion with the families and that fervour in prayer for the deceased”, he explains. He was particularly impressed by the universality of the shrine, with pilgrims coming from every part in the world to entrust their deceased. The experience he had here encourages him to carry on with this ministry in his diocese.
A spiritual battle to keep waging
Praying for the souls in purgatory is not just a work of mercy, for the Abbot, it is also a spiritual battle. “It is a great fight between the side of the good and the side of evil, between light and darkness”, he stresses. He recalls that God wants to attract all the souls to Him.
When faced with distracting voices and temptations, the intercession of the living becomes an essential support. “When we pray for them, God attracts them to Him and opens the door to light for them”, he claims. By praying for the deceased, the faithful make one with the very mission of Christ – leading the souls to the Father.
You too can entrust your loved ones to the sanctuary Notre-Dame de Montligeon and pray for the souls in purgatory:
Join the Spiritual Fraternity of Montligeon to carry out this mission of hope together.
