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Read Me or Rue It
(This version is the shorter version. It does not include "How to Avoid Purgatory", i.e. the cover is incorrect. For the combined version see: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...)
Forgetfulness of our beloved dead is one of the saddest realities of life among Catholics, especially today! God has given us the means to relieve them of their sufferings in Purgatory, yet "their memory seems to perish with the sound of the funeral bells." (St. Francis de Sales). However, we can begin today to make good this neglect by using the powerful spiritual means described in this inspiring book.
In "Read Me or Rue It" the very popular priest writer, Fr. Paul O'Sullivan, tells many true stories about the Poor Souls in Purgatory. He relates incidents from the lives of the Saints to show their great sufferings, our obligation to help them, as well as the many helps and graces which they obtain for their benefactors in return.
Don't miss the companion booklet, "How to Avoid Purgatory": https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Forgetfulness of our beloved dead is one of the saddest realities of life among Catholics, especially today! God has given us the means to relieve them of their sufferings in Purgatory, yet "their memory seems to perish with the sound of the funeral bells." (St. Francis de Sales). However, we can begin today to make good this neglect by using the powerful spiritual means described in this inspiring book.
In "Read Me or Rue It" the very popular priest writer, Fr. Paul O'Sullivan, tells many true stories about the Poor Souls in Purgatory. He relates incidents from the lives of the Saints to show their great sufferings, our obligation to help them, as well as the many helps and graces which they obtain for their benefactors in return.
Don't miss the companion booklet, "How to Avoid Purgatory": https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1936
34 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Paul O'Sullivan
30 books41 followersFather Paul O'Sullivan, O.P., was born on February 7, 1871. After studying in Dublin, he went on to Rome, where he was ordained a Dominican. He then pursued a Lectorate degree for theology, which in turn prepared him for his future career in writing simple, profound books and preaching to the faithful. Father O'Sullivan also founded the "Catholic Printing Press" and established the Rosary Association, one of several associations he created with the Church's permission. He wrote on and had a great devotion to St. Philomena as well. He died in 1958, on the Feast of the Presentation.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR
Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 22, 2018
On my second read through I found things I liked which I’d failed to notice first time. For example, I didn’t remember the excellent and moving stories which followed the opening chapters. They were both inspirational and motivational. The emphasis on devotion to the Holy Souls was what I most appreciated¹ as they are so often forgotten/neglected and cannot help themselves but can do so much for us! That, and the many suggested ways we can assist them, and in turn ourselves, making use of God’s many graces are what make this book a worthwhile read.
That said, I know what troubles me about this book. If you read it carefully—it seems to assume everyone will have to make at least a short stop-off in Purgatory before going to Heaven. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a Doctor of the Church, taught that God does not want anyone to have to go to Purgatory, and that it is possible for anyone² to go straight to Heaven upon death (the Good Thief?) if we just make use of the graces God gives us in this life, learn to love Him and our neighbor as he commands and humbly trust in Him!—trust, according the Little Flower is the key to everything. Here is an article by Father Dr. Hubert van Dijk, ORC, THE TEACHING OF ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX ON PURGATORY which explains it best. There are other shorter articles, but this is the most comprehensive for the lay theologians, and understandable for simple souls such as myself.
Not knowing who will read this book or why, yet I can see how one could get the impression (like Sr. Fabronia in Thérèse’s example) that there is little hope for ordinary souls to go straight to Heaven since Carmelite nuns and relatives of Saints spent so long in purgatory. What would the individual reader of this book then do without proper counsel?
¹As a huge fan of Susan Tassone, I am convinced and committed to the Church Suffering, currently rereading Day by Day for the Holy Souls in Purgatory: 365 Reflections which I use to record all those loved ones I have lost—as well as strangers—to remind me to pray for them.
² The possibility for anyone, is not the same as everyone will.
That said, I know what troubles me about this book. If you read it carefully—it seems to assume everyone will have to make at least a short stop-off in Purgatory before going to Heaven. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a Doctor of the Church, taught that God does not want anyone to have to go to Purgatory, and that it is possible for anyone² to go straight to Heaven upon death (the Good Thief?) if we just make use of the graces God gives us in this life, learn to love Him and our neighbor as he commands and humbly trust in Him!—trust, according the Little Flower is the key to everything. Here is an article by Father Dr. Hubert van Dijk, ORC, THE TEACHING OF ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX ON PURGATORY which explains it best. There are other shorter articles, but this is the most comprehensive for the lay theologians, and understandable for simple souls such as myself.
Not knowing who will read this book or why, yet I can see how one could get the impression (like Sr. Fabronia in Thérèse’s example) that there is little hope for ordinary souls to go straight to Heaven since Carmelite nuns and relatives of Saints spent so long in purgatory. What would the individual reader of this book then do without proper counsel?
¹As a huge fan of Susan Tassone, I am convinced and committed to the Church Suffering, currently rereading Day by Day for the Holy Souls in Purgatory: 365 Reflections which I use to record all those loved ones I have lost—as well as strangers—to remind me to pray for them.
² The possibility for anyone, is not the same as everyone will.
August 23, 2018
I have just sat and read this little book on The Holy Souls in pergatory. (Thank you for the link Adam). It is inspiring and thought provoking and has made me think very hard about how feeble my own efforts are at making offerings and praying. There are many examples and ideas of things one can do to help. I think it would be great if every Catholic could read this book, it only took me half an hour and I am not a fast reader, it is so worth it. I shall also be reading the other book 'How to Avoid Pergatory' now that I have the link.
March 20, 2019
Purgatory is a loving gift from our Eternal God. The title of this book accurately describes why it should be read.
December 29, 2015
Christians Unite
I say the prayer of St. Gertrude every day when I finish my rosary. It is said the prayer of St. Gertrude releases hundreds of souls from Purgatory. I say it in my car as I drive to work each morning. This book has reinforced my desire to say it often throughout my day. Short, to the point, easy to read, and offers a promise of hope to those who believe.
I say the prayer of St. Gertrude every day when I finish my rosary. It is said the prayer of St. Gertrude releases hundreds of souls from Purgatory. I say it in my car as I drive to work each morning. This book has reinforced my desire to say it often throughout my day. Short, to the point, easy to read, and offers a promise of hope to those who believe.
December 9, 2019
93/100 (= 5.5/6) ≈ 5 Stars
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Excellent little booklet. Definitely belongs together with "How to Avoid Purgatory". Encourages devotion to the Poor Souls -- and the consequences if we don't have a devotion to them now! An absolute essential lesson to learn some way or another.
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Excellent little booklet. Definitely belongs together with "How to Avoid Purgatory". Encourages devotion to the Poor Souls -- and the consequences if we don't have a devotion to them now! An absolute essential lesson to learn some way or another.
March 12, 2015
read.
Just read it. It's a must for all the Catholic Faithful. There are meant accounts in the book of how thankful the Poor Souls are and they will never forget those who remember them in prayer.
Just read it. It's a must for all the Catholic Faithful. There are meant accounts in the book of how thankful the Poor Souls are and they will never forget those who remember them in prayer.
January 13, 2022
Me encantó este libro. Es increíblemente breve pero contiene todo lo que uno necesita saber sobre el Purgatorio, qué es, por qué se va ahí, y cómo se puede ayudar a las almas que ahí se encuentran. Terminándolo de leer dan ganas de hacer veinte mil cosas para ayudar a las almas de nuestros familiares y amigos (y a tantas más) que ahí se encuentran. Me parece un libro fundamental para cualquier católico.
October 3, 2021
A very good concise little discussion of Purgatory, which is not discussed in Catholic circles as much as it probably should be these days. I recommend reading this along with the same author's handy how-to guide, "How to Avoid Purgatory", which is where your mind might naturally go when you're done reading. Although this isn't a terribly scary little book (and some of the "true stories" might come off as legends, or might not if you've been to the Purgatory Museum in Rome), it is thought-provoking. As with "How to Avoid Purgatory", it can be hard to find a copy of "Read Me or Rue It" nowadays because I think the original publisher took it out of print, but if you look around you can find it online at a legit website to read for free, so no need to pay a lot of money for a hard copy.
December 26, 2021
The book outlines very plainly what is required to avoid purgatory and why.
November 1, 2019
An effectively unsettling wake-up call to lukewarm Christians or those more devout yet still stained perpetually with sin, like myself. It's hard to read this and not feel an inescapable sense of doom, given that even the most pious apparently suffer much in Purgatory. How then, will it be for me? For all those like me? However, it isn't disheartening. Rather it should make its readers determined not just to avoid sin more themselves, but to fervently pray for the millions and millions of Holy Souls who are in Purgatory now. As the psalm says: "God, I have trusted in Thee. Let me not be confounded". We are all sinners and must make repentance in both this life and the next. But always the mercy and compassion of Jesus Christ prevails. We can only hope and pray and strive to please Him, and not the Devil.
Read
October 22, 2025A nice little book to encourage prayer for the poor souls, which is very necessary for all Catholics. Presumes that we should ask their protection/intercession. Some of the quotes are highly suspect. I wish Fr. O'Sullivan had provided citations.
For example, I would like to see some evidence that Cyril of Alexandria said "it would be preferable to suffer all the possible torments of earth until the Judgment day than to pass one day in Purgatory."
For example, I would like to see some evidence that Cyril of Alexandria said "it would be preferable to suffer all the possible torments of earth until the Judgment day than to pass one day in Purgatory."
November 24, 2025
Only blessing can come from reading this book
While we yet live in the mercy of God we forget that His justice applies to us. Purgatory is justice applied through mercy. If we love those who have died we really need to pray for them. Father Sullivan's books are all wonderful and should be required to be read by everyone that thinks. May the souls of the faithfully departed be granted mercy for their careless unknown acts against God.
While we yet live in the mercy of God we forget that His justice applies to us. Purgatory is justice applied through mercy. If we love those who have died we really need to pray for them. Father Sullivan's books are all wonderful and should be required to be read by everyone that thinks. May the souls of the faithfully departed be granted mercy for their careless unknown acts against God.
March 22, 2019
To all
I recommend this little book to all so that purgatory may be emptied of all souls as soon as possible and remain empty. God bless
I recommend this little book to all so that purgatory may be emptied of all souls as soon as possible and remain empty. God bless
May 24, 2022
Calvary
March 30, 2024
A small book with vast information about praying for holy souls. We need to remember and pray for all
the poor souls in purgatory especially our deceased loved ones and friends.
the poor souls in purgatory especially our deceased loved ones and friends.
Want to read
April 24, 2025great
November 14, 2024
Holy Souls in purgatory, pray for us!
'Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most precious blood of thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family- Amen'. - St. Gertrude
St. Gertrude, pray for us!
'Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most precious blood of thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family- Amen'. - St. Gertrude
St. Gertrude, pray for us!
January 2, 2016
A higher level of spirituality that attests to the truth that God, the Holy Trinity does all things well. Our prayers are never wasted. Our concern and attention for those who have passed into eternity serves us still on earth as well. I've learned how the Second Commandment (love of neighbor) is so intricately tied to the First Commandment (love of God.) You can't have one without the other. I am my brother's keeper here and in eternity.
A higher level of spirituality that attests to the truth that God, the Holy Trinity does all things well. Our prayers are never wasted. Our concern and attention for those who have passed into eternity serves us still on earth as well. I've learned how the Second Commandment (love of neighbor) is so intricately tied to the First Commandment (love of God.) You can't have one without the other. I am my brother's keeper here and in eternity.
A higher level of spirituality that attests to the truth that God, the Holy Trinity does all things well. Our prayers are never wasted. Our concern and attention for those who have passed into eternity serves us still on earth as well. I've learned how the Second Commandment (love of neighbor) is so intricately tied to the First Commandment (love of God.) You can't have one without the other. I am my brother's keeper here and in eternity.
December 16, 2012
Before I had run across mention of this brief book, I hadn't put too much thought into the nature of purgatory and the thoughts I did have were mostly wrong, like the author notices about most people of any level of Catholic involvement. I sort of pictured purgatory as an unpleasant waiting room your soul had to sit in for some indeterminate length of time until you'd done it long enough to be allowed into heaven. I'd forgotten "purge" is the root of the word, and it's illustrated much differently. Not as scare tactics, but as a warning to us and invitation to love the Holy Souls in purgatory that can no longer do anything for themselves.
So short and powerful, every Catholic should take the half hour to read it with an open and loving heart.
So short and powerful, every Catholic should take the half hour to read it with an open and loving heart.
July 27, 2015
Rather hate to put the Dominican stamp on this one, as I don't think it shows us at our best, but facts are facts.
Fr. Benedict Groeschel used to rant about a particular book on purgatory that he wished had never been written. He would never give the name, but this just might be the one.
Catholics are prone to (properly) lambaste Protestants for a prosperity Gospel. Fr. O'Sullivan, however, seems to be presenting an argument that might be summed up: You scratch the backs of the Holy Souls, and they'll scratch yours.
Fr. Benedict Groeschel used to rant about a particular book on purgatory that he wished had never been written. He would never give the name, but this just might be the one.
Catholics are prone to (properly) lambaste Protestants for a prosperity Gospel. Fr. O'Sullivan, however, seems to be presenting an argument that might be summed up: You scratch the backs of the Holy Souls, and they'll scratch yours.
August 9, 2017
The forgotten souls...
After my father's death earlier this year I picked up this book about Purgatory, a topic in the Catholic faith that isn't discussed much these days. It is a great tool for understanding Purgatory and the benefits of praying for the Holy Souls stuck in this cleansing afterlife.
After my father's death earlier this year I picked up this book about Purgatory, a topic in the Catholic faith that isn't discussed much these days. It is a great tool for understanding Purgatory and the benefits of praying for the Holy Souls stuck in this cleansing afterlife.
August 17, 2014
At first it was hard for me to digest what I was reading. I was very surprised and upset by the facts I read. But slowly I found hope. And the true stories in the book gave me chills(in a positive way). I was eager to finish the book and did it in 2 hours. 5 stars for this one.
October 20, 2014
Pray daily for the souls in purgatory...
Easy to read and understand. A book that I will read over and over. I definitely recommend this little book to others! We must never forget to pray for the holy souls in purgatory.
Easy to read and understand. A book that I will read over and over. I definitely recommend this little book to others! We must never forget to pray for the holy souls in purgatory.
March 1, 2015
Eyeopener
I truly enjoyed reading this booklet. I think everyone would want to help the souls in Purgatory after reading this and that is not a bad thing.
I truly enjoyed reading this booklet. I think everyone would want to help the souls in Purgatory after reading this and that is not a bad thing.
March 27, 2015
Excellent book pray for the holy souls
It is a must read it's an excellent book
I know I will read this several more times , pray for the holy souls
It is a must read it's an excellent book
I know I will read this several more times , pray for the holy souls
August 28, 2015
Pray for the Holy Souls
The book was easy to read and understand. It can be read in about 45 minutes.
Every Roman Catholic should read this book.
The book was easy to read and understand. It can be read in about 45 minutes.
Every Roman Catholic should read this book.
December 19, 2015
Fabulous a must read for every Catholic!
An amazing book. Thank God I found it!
A little treasure for every serious Catholic.
Not to be missed ever.
An amazing book. Thank God I found it!
A little treasure for every serious Catholic.
Not to be missed ever.
April 21, 2010
comparable to Dante's Inferno... A must-read for us sinners.
January 3, 2016
Still learning Catholic dogmas.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews