Ninth Day
The Holy Scriptures imply, in the narration of the action of the great leader Judas, the existence of purgatory, or some such place of purification in the next world, where the souls of the departed can be assisted by our prayers and sacrifices, and be cleansed from their sins. Certainly it would have been impossible, in such heavy time of war, to gather from the people such large sums of money, or to all at once introduce an innovation in religious practice of that kind, if this belief in purgatory had not been long and firmly implanted in their hearts. All the passages from the Old Testament clearly prove the truth of the Catholic doctrine, which teaches us that there exists a place for the purification of such souls as die in a state of grace, but have not yet fully expiated all their sins; and that those souls can be delivered by the prayers and good works of the faithful. The son of Sirach bears witness to the same when he says: “A gift hath grace in the sight of all the living, and restrain not grace from the dead,” which means that we should pay our dead the last respects and offer up sacrifices for them. This passage supports the general belief of the Jews, that we can assist the departed by good works. The Jews even now believe in the existence of some place of purification, and are in the habit of praying for their dead. The Jewish belief in purgatory rested on a very firm foundation.
Prayer.
Release, O Lord, etc., etc.