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Interview
With Susan TassoneBy Michael K. Jones
Who is Susan Tassone? In an article by Larry and Mary Sue Eck of Medjugorje Magazine, Susan is called, "the Champion of the Holy Souls." Medjugorje Magazine states that when Susan starts to talk about the souls in Purgatory, she doesn't take a breath; and after 10 minutes you realize that she has the energy of ten locomotives. Shortly before his death, Father Stephen Barham chuckling said of her, "Susan Tassone wears you out talking about the Holy Souls, but you keep coming back for more. Her excitement is contagious."
Three months after returning from her first pilgrimage to Medjugorje Susan founded "The Holy Souls Mass Apostolate" in 1993. Excited by the idea of having Masses said for the holy souls in purgatory, Susan started collecting money. Hundreds of thousands of dollars later, missionaries have greatly benefited by the money raised through Mass stipends.
Cardinal Francis George of Chicago invited Susan to review the success of her "Holy Souls Mass Apostolate." On All Souls Day 1998, she delivered the opening address preceding the Cardinal's Mass.
Cardinal George wrote his own recommendation printed on the back of Susan's highly successful book,
"Way of the Cross for the Holy Souls in Purgatory." Cardinal George writes, '…What better way to pray for the departed than by meditation on the final hours of the earthly life of Jesus. The Way of the Holy Cross for the Holy Souls in Purgatory is a beautiful guide for this important devotion.'In April of 1999, Pope John Paul II gave his Apostolic Blessing to Susan's "Holy Souls Mass Apostolate." Susan has had two private audiences with John Paul II. In one audience Pope John Paul II held up Susan's book and loudly exclaimed, "Very good!"
Susan has a strong devotion for Our Lady since age seven. Many of her friends had visited Medjugorje and Susan wanted to go too. She says her reason for going is, "Our Lady is my best friend and when you hear your best friend is in town, you visit her!" However, Susan was uncertain if she could make such a long journey due to a previous auto accident. While crossing a road in Chicago, Susan was hit by a taxi causing severe nerve and leg damage; so she decided to consult her doctor before going to Medjugorje. He agreed to let her go.
In Medjugorje the chain on her rosary turned a golden color. She witnessed a brilliant light like the Star of David. In a blue aura she saw the outline of Our Lady. Despite the blessings she received in Medjugorje her leg swelled to twice its size.
During her second pilgrimage with a group from the Chicago Marian Center, Susan knew this time, climbing the mountain was out of the question. However, a small boy on the pilgrimage begged Susan to go up the mountain till she finally agreed. The climb and descent was easier than she expected, feeling quite light in step.
Susan noticed the visible damage on her leg was gone after having returned home to Chicago. She called her doctor and he immediately requested that she come to his office. Upon examination he walked out of the room and then walked back in saying, "Dear, this is a miracle. You're blessed. If any doctor saw your leg now he'd never believe what happened to you." Susan asked if the Doctor would put this in writing. "Let's wait," he said. Three years later Susan Tassone took that letter to Medjugorje. Susan tells me, Father Slavko interviewed her for GLAS MIR Magazine. It was one of the last interviews Father Slavko did before his death. Her healing is officially recorded in their documents. Father Philip Pavich (former Medjugorje priest now back in the U.S.) told her, "You were given an extension to your life and there is a mission for you."
As the Webmaster of Medjugorje USA I offer my comment: After having spent some time over the past few months talking with Susan Tassone and having viewed her two videotapes,
"The Holy Souls" and "Susan Tassone Live For The Holy Souls," there is no question she is an Apostle for "Holy Souls in Purgatory." This is undoubtedly her "mission" to which Father Philip Pavich stated, "You have been given an extension to your life." Her damaged leg, which was of little use, has been replaced by a new extension, which grows stronger every day in the name of "The Holy Souls in Purgatory."Susan recently told me, "Remember the words of the holy souls: "May those be blessed may those be rewarded who relieve us of these pains." When Susan first contacted me having visited the website, she was happy to see the Medjugorje USA Prayer Oblation Warriors (POW) Prayer Group. She has told me several times that each member will be rewarded by the holy souls in purgatory whom we pray for. As of August 2001, there are 79 members. I hope more of you will join the POW prayer group and offer a few minutes each day for the holy souls in purgatory.
A link will be provided at the bottom of this page for those who would like to visit or join the Medjugorje USA POW Prayer Group.
Q: What is the Holy Souls Mass Apostolate?
A: The Holy Souls Mass Apostolate is dedicated to releasing holy souls out of purgatory, through Masses, prayer and published works.
Q: Why was Apostolate founded?
A: There is a hunger for God; I see this in people of every faith.
Q: What have you been able to accomplish through the Apostolate?
A:
We have been able to unleash over 30,000 Masses for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. A best selling book THE WAY OF THE CROSS FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY, to date has sold over 32,000 copies. A new book will be released in September 2001-PRAYING IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR LORD FOR THE HOLY SOULS. It is the most comprehensive collection of the most powerful prayers of the Catholic Church for the Holy Souls ever compiled. Pray them during Eucharistic Adoration, before and after Mass, in front of the Blessed Sacrament, in prayers groups or doing private meditation.Q: What does Cardinal George in Chicago think about your apostolate?
A:
Cardinal George is extremely supportive and has endorsed both books. He invited me to meet with him to discuss the success of this apostolate. He also arranged for me to attend a private Mass with Pope John Paul II and I presented to him my books.Q: Why did you do these books?
A:
Purgatory is a very positive part of our faith. It is not something we should hide. The faithful needed to find out it is OK. The books allow people to have focus and structure. These books are a perfect match for the Holy Father's desire to have the faithful renew their focus on the holy souls. These books allow the faithful to meet his wishes.Q: Who are the holy souls?
A:
They are people just like you and me. They are our mothers and fathers, grandparents and godparents, sister and brothers, aunts and uncles, neighbors and friends.Q: Why should we pray for them?
A:
God's justice demands expiation of their sins and places in our hands the means of assisting them. God gives us the power to relieve and release them from purgatory. God is as grateful to us as if we had helped Him! Also, over a dozen times in Our Lady's messages in Medjugorje she requests that we pray for the Holy Souls especially priests and religious. Our Lady tells us we gain " fresh intercessors" to help us here on earth and help us to reach heaven.Q: Why are they called Poor and Holy?
A:
They are poor because they are in the most dreadful state of poverty. They lost the sight of God. This is their greatest pain. Once the soul sees God, the eyes of the soul cannot shut without being in agony. They are unable to help themselves. Their time of merit is over. They are totally helpless. They are holy because they can no longer sin. And they are absolutely sure of salvation.Q: What is their primary pain?
A:
Their primary pain is the loss of the sight of God. They saw God's face! And now they long to be with Him forever. Yet they cannot. They feel an inexpressible love for God. For now they know how good God is and what joy it is to be with Him. They want to give Him unceasing Glory.Q: Could you tell us what some of the Saints have to say about purgatory?
A:
Padre Pio says, "The holy souls are eager for the prayers of the faithful which can gain indulgences for them. Their intercession is powerful. Pray unceasingly. We must empty Purgatory!" St. John Vianney states, "If one knew what we may obtain from God by the intercession of the Holy Souls, they would not be so much abandoned. Let us pray a great deal for them, they will pray for us." All the great Saints throughout history had impressed on their hearts by Our Lord to help the holy souls.Q: Can the holy souls pray for each other?
A:
No. The time of merit is up once the soul leaves the body at death.Q: Can they pray for us?
A:
Yes, unceasingly all the days of our lives until we are safely home in Heaven. They become our nearest, dearest and sincerest friends here on earth and in Heaven for all eternity.Q: Can we avoid Purgatory?
A:
Yes! Do all in your power to help the holy souls! Avoid sin at all cost. Break off all bad habits. Monthly confession, daily Mass and Holy Communion. Do many little things, Acts of kindness. Forgive! Teach your children to pray for the dead. Form merciful hearts in your grandchildren. We have the grace to go straight to Heaven.Q: What is the best way to help the holy souls?
A:
The Holy Mass is the greatest form of prayer to help the holy souls. Alongside the Mass are the Stations of the Cross, which carries a big indulgence. Eucharistic Adoration and the rosary are also very good ways to help the holy souls.Q: I know you are also excited about the Gregorian Masses, could you tell us a little about them?
A:
The name "Gregorian Mass" derives from Pope St. Gregory the Great. He was first to popularize this pious practice. St. Gregory offered 30 consecutive Masses for a departed Monk. After the 30th Mass the monk appeared to him and said he was released from Purgatory. The hallowed tradition has been declared "a pious and reasonable belief of the faithful" on the authority of the Sacred Roman Congregation on Indulgences. The Gregorian Masses can be offered only for ONE DECEASED SOUL, not a couple or family. We should arrange for these Masses in our wills!Q: Who offers these Masses?
A:
The customary offering for the uninterrupted series of 30 daily Masses is $120.00 through the following:Q: Is it a blessing for those who pray for the holy souls?
A:
Yes! It is impossible to describe the holy souls unbounded gratitude who help them. Once the soul leaves purgatory the first act they do is lie prostrate before the throne of God and pray for the souls that released them. They will pray for you all the days of your life until you are safely home in Heaven. They become your intercessors. By their prayers, they shield their friends from danger and protect them from evils that threaten them. They will be your friends forever.Q: Is it possible to have Masses said for ourselves while we are alive?
A:
Absolutely! St. Anselm tells us that those we hear or have offered during life are more profitable than those said for us after death. Today, many are discovering how the Eucharist for the deceased also heals the living. Who do you miss the most? Whom have you hurt? Who do you wish you could have done more for? Have a Mass offered for them!Q: What is the most important message you want to tell us about the holy souls?
A:
The most important plea is to PRAY for the Holy Souls. They are unable to help themselves. Their pain is worse than any illness or suffering on earth. Masses, Stations of the Cross, Eucharistic Adoration and the Rosary are what they need from us. You will be rewarded a hundredfold!Q: Please give us some personal thoughts on Medjugorje.
A:
Medjugorje changed my life...a miraculous healing of my injured leg, the founding of the Holy Souls Mass Apostolate, a BEST SELLER, THE WAY OF THE CROSS FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY, AND PRAYING IN THE PRESENCE OF OUR LORD FOR THE HOLY SOULS. (There will be a THIRD book coming out in 2002). Just saying the word Medjugorje brings grace upon us! Of all these awesome events as wonderful as they are, the greatest by infinite measure is the spiritual healing for myself and my family, and helping the holy souls reach their heavenly home. PRAYER IS THE ANSWER. PRAYER WORKS MIRACLES OUR LADY SAID TO US RECENTLY. GO BEFORE THE EUCHARIST AND PRAY FOR YOURSELVES, YOUR FAMILY AND OUR DECEASED LOVED ONES. OUR LADY TELLS US IF WE WANT TO HONOR HER PRAY MORE AND CHATTER LESS. And we will have peace in our hearts, in our families and in the world.Q: How can we order your books?
A:
Order books by calling, Our Sunday Visitor at: 1-800-348-2440. You can purchase books online at "Our Sunday Visitor" located at (click here>>>) Our Sunday Visitor Or visit your local bookstore. Two one-hour videotapes are available titled THE HOLY SOULS and HOLY SOULS "Live." Videotapes are $12.00 each and are also available in cassette tape for $6.00 each. My book, "Stations of the Cross for the Holy Souls in Purgatory" is also available on cassette for $6.00. The videotapes and audio cassette can by purchased at,God Bless you! And may the holy souls lead you into Paradise!
Susan Tassone.
Note:
If you would like to visit or join Medjugorje USA's "Prayer Oblation Warrior Prayer Group" ("The POW") for the holy souls in purgatory, please click here.>>> THE POW<<<
If you would like to write Medjugorje USA
email:info@medjugorjeusa.org