José Antonio Orta
Puerto Rican, born 1954
The Forsaken Soul in Purgatory / Anima Sola, 2000
Polychromed wood
17 ½ x 9 ½ x 8 ¾ inches
Lent from a private Florida collection

This is the most forsaken and forgotten soul in Purgatory where, according to Catholic doctrine, souls that have not been cleansed of minor sin undergo a final purification prior to entering the kingdom of heaven. Even though she is viewed as a sinner, the Forsaken Soul is invoked by devotees for assistance in times of extreme difficulty. The souls in purgatory receive special attention on All Souls' Day, a day of remembrance celebrated on November 2.