Pray for Those Departed

November is traditionally dedicated to prayers for those in purgatory. Many devout Catholics worldwide will visit the graves of the departed on All Souls’ Day.

While the sacrament of penance or confession is essential in the forgiveness of sin, this is done by the living to receive their own graces from God. There is no confession for the dead, but penance and purification is still possible. Souls in purgatory undergo a purification. Unless you have confessed all your sins EVER, receive forgiveness, have preformed your penance and then are struck dead, chances are you will die with some small sin on your soul. Only a perfect soul can stand in the presence of the Lord. While baptism washes us clean, our daily life allows us to get grimy and stained. We’ve all yelled at the driver who cut us off. Innocent enough, yet anger is a sin. It is a small smudge on an otherwise clean soul. Purgatory washes us clean again.

When we pray for the souls in purgatory we are doing something they cannot do for themselves, and that is to ask for forgiveness and mercy. While the souls in purgatory are suffering, they also know joy. The suffering is in the knowledge that through their own faults and shortcomings, they are separated from Christ. Oh but purgatory is also a place of joy. Those in purgatory know with complete certainty that they are heaven bound. The more we pray for those in purgatory, the more prayers will be remembered by our Lord and Savior upon our death. Yeah, it’s a little selfish, but prayers bring us closer to God. And the rewards are beyond compare.

Tradition holds that Christmas Morning is one of the biggest days of the year for the release of souls from purgatory to heaven. What better gift can there be for our loved ones than prayers?

O Lord, who art ever merciful and bounteous with Thy gifts, look down upon the suffering souls in purgatory. Remember not their offenses and negligences,
but be mindful of Thy loving mercy, which is from all eternity.
Cleanse them of their sins and fulfill their ardent desires that they may be made worthy to behold Thee face to face in Thy glory.
May they soon be united with Thee and hear those blessed words which will call them to their heavenly home:
“Come, blessed of My Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

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This recipe, in my opinion, was not given a proper name. Toad in a Hole to me is an egg fried in a whole cut into bread. There is no bread, although the way the sides of the dish puff up while the center sinks down does create a sink-hole for the sausage links. Maybe that’s what it should be called – Sausage in a Sink-Hole! Yeah, I like that better than Sausage Toad in a Hole. Let’s change it . . .

Sausage in a Sink Hole
Aka Sausage Toads in a Hole
3 large Eggs
1 cup Milk
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Flour
1 (12 oz) package Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage Links
Water as needed
3 tablespoons Olive Oil

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

In a bowl, whisk eggs. Add milk and salt, whisk well. Add flour to the egg mixture, whisk until blended. Set aside and let stand for 30 minutes.

Arrange sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add water, lower heat to medium, cover and steam sausage for about 8 minutes.

Remove cover, continue to cook until the water has fully evaporated and the sausage skin has begin to blister beautifully. Remove from heat. Leave half the sausage whole, cut about a quarter piece from remaining sausage or as desired to create a nice design.

Place Olive Oil in a 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet. Place the skillet in the oven to warm for 3 minutes.

Stir batter, pour into the prepared skillet. Top with sausage in a design as desired. Bake until golden brown and puffed, about 20 minutes. Turn off oven, leave to rest about 5 minutes longer.

Cut into wedges. Serve with syrup and scrambled eggs for a beautiful breakfast.

Awesome Green Onion Scrambled Eggs
8 Eggs
1/3 cup Milk
Fresh Sea Salt to taste
White Pepper to taste
1/3 cup Green Onions
1/2 tablespoon Olive Oil
1/2 tablespoon Butter

Whisk eggs with milk, salt and pepper. Snip green onions, set aside.

In a skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil with butter. Swirl skillet to coat bottom. Pour eggs into the skillet, Sprinkle with green onions. Let cook for about 2 minutes undisturbed, then push outer edges toward the center, allowing uncooked egg slip under cooked portion. Continue to cook off heat, pushing egg toward center and gently turning. Let eggs cook in the residual heat of the pan. If too cool, return to low heat to finish.

Serve and enjoy.

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The souls of the just are in the hand of God
And no torment of death will touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish, they seemed to die,
And their departure was considered an affliction,
And their going away from us, a banishment.
Yet they are in peace
Wisdom 3:1-3