Frequently Asked Questions on the Souls in Purgatory

WHAT IS PURGATORY?

Purgatory is the state of those who die in God's friendship, assured of their eternal salvation, but who still have need of purification to enter into the happiness of heaven.

Saint Catherine of Genoa says that, although purgatory is incomparably painful because we see all the horror of our own sins, yet it is incomparably joyful because God is with us there, and we are learning to endure His truth, His light (cf. Treatise on Purgatory). It is also joyful because all those in purgatory have already passed the particular judgment and are assured of their eventual entrance into heaven.

HOW DO WE KNOW PURGATORY EXISTS?

The existence of purgatory logically follows from two facts: our imperfection on earth and our perfection in heaven.

Of the "Final Purification, or Purgatory," the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:

The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:

As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.

CCC 1031

WHO ARE THE HOLY SOULS?

The Holy Souls are those detained in purgatory, but on the threshold of heaven, where everlasting happiness will be given to the righteous.

WHY DO THE HOLY SOULS NEED OUR HELP?

The Church teaches that the Holy Souls in Purgatory cannot pray for themselves. In purgatory, where Divine Justice purifies souls, the burning pain of waiting can be extinguished by suffrages — that is, the prayers and sacrifices of the living.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP THE HOLY SOULS?

We can offer our sacrifices, prayers, corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and almsgiving for the release of the Holy Souls.

God allows us this opportunity to be merciful and to cooperate with His plan for the salvation for all souls. The Catechism of the Catholic Church further explains:

This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:

Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.

CCC 1032

CAN THE HOLY SOULS HELP US?

The Church's most respected authorities have explained that, although the Souls in Purgatory cannot pray for themselves, they can intercede for others both living and deceased. Saint Alphonsus stated:

They are unable to pray or merit anything for themselves, yet, when they pray for others, they are heard by God.

Saint John Vianney, the Cure d'Ars, wrote:

If one knew what we may obtain from God by the intercession of the Poor Souls, they would not be so much abandoned. Let us pray a great deal for them; they will pray for us.

The Church teaches:

"We believe that the multitude of those gathered around Jesus and Mary in Paradise forms the Church of heaven, where in eternal blessedness they see God as he is and where they are also, to various degrees, associated with the holy angels in the divine governance exercised by Christ in glory, by interceding for us and helping our weakness by their fraternal concern" (Paul VI, CPG § 29).

CCC 1053

Source:

Pray For Souls

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