How to Help the Holy Souls in Purgatory (Catholic Caucus)

NC Register ^ | October 28, 2011 | JOSEPH PRONECHEN

[NYer]

What is the best devotion to help the souls in purgatory?

The holy sacrifice of the Mass is the chief source of devotion for the holy souls.

So, the most powerful means to relieve or release a soul from purgatory is through the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. You’ll find that in the Catechism. It says it in 1032: “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.”

In Praying With the Saints for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, I have Pope Benedict XVI’s writings that point to having Masses offered for the souls in purgatory. [One extensive quote is from Sacramentum Caritatis (Sacrament of Charity).]

After the Mass, the next most powerful way to help the souls is the Rosary, the most powerful Marian prayer on earth — in her approved apparitions, Mary says pray the Rosary for peace in the world, in your hearts, in your family — and the Stations of the Cross, because they’re indulgenced. You have to be in the state of grace to help the souls in purgatory. 

When we pray for the souls, we’ve got to remember we’re giving them paradise, the face of God, when we get them out sooner from purgatory. Our prayers are shortening this horrible suffering of being without God. They then show us their gratitude in the same proportion to their joy.

You recommend Gregorian Masses be offered for souls. What are they, how did they come about, and why are they important?

Gregorian Masses are absolutely the best way to help souls out of purgatory.

[NYer]

Susan Tassone won’t admit it, but she is one of the experts on the souls in purgatory.

Her credentials speak for her. She has written six books on the subject, among them one co-written with Father Benedict Groeschel of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Cardinal Ivan Dias, former prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, wrote the foreword to her latest book, which has an imprimatur, Praying With the Saints for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. She has recently begun her seventh book.

She recently spoke about what we can do to help the souls in purgatory.

[NYer]

Can we say that one goes straight to heaven? Can we say that soul was totally pure and holy and in line with God’s will to go to heaven at once?

We don’t know what the state of the soul was at the hour of death, and we tend to canonize everybody. Only God knows the state of the soul, if it is totally in line with his will. He’s all-holy and majestic and pure.

But we’re given this great power and privilege to release souls from purgatory. Only we are the deliverers. Christ turns to the Church militant. Heaven encourages us. For whatever reason, we’ve been given this great honor and privilege. We’re responsible to pray for our dead.

[Krankor]

What about the babies in Limbo?

[humblegunner]

If they’re Holy, why are they in purgatory?

[ArchAngel1983]

purgatory? I thought earth was purgatory, or at most the first circle of hell.

[GOP Poet]

Thanks. Great article.

[Salvation]

How many times in the Bible does Jesus mention sola scriptur? The Trinity?

Touche!

[Salvation]

scriptura

[Salvation]

It looks like some people cannot read the words “Catholic Caucus” in the title!

Woe to those who do not read!

[NYer]

What about the babies in Limbo?

Excellent question! In 2005, a Vatican appointed group of international theologians, led by (then) Cardinal Ratzinger, closed the doors of limbo forever. You can read about this at the following link.

Closing the doors of limbo: Theologians say it was hypothesis>/a>

[Judith Anne]

Agreed.

[NYer]

How many times in the Bible does Jesus mention purgatory? Hint: Not one.

First off, this is a Catholic Caucus thread. However, since you posted the question, along with your personal interpretation of scripture, here is the biblical genesis of Purgatory.

In Matt. 12:32 – Jesus says, “And anyone who says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but no one who speaks against the Holy Spirit will be forgiven either in this world or in the next.” Jesus thus clearly provides that there is forgiveness after death. The phrase “in the next” (from the Greek “en to mellonti”) generally refers to the afterlife (see, for example, Mark 10.30; Luke 18.30; 20.34-35; Eph. 1.21 for similar language). Forgiveness is not necessary in heaven, and there is no forgiveness in hell. This proves that there is another state after death, and the Church for 2,000 years has called this state purgatory.

In 2 Tim. 1:16-18 - Onesiphorus is dead but Paul asks for mercy on him “on that day.” Paul’s use of “that day” demonstrates its eschatological usage (see, for example, Rom. 2.5,16; 1 Cor. 1.8; 3.13; 5.5; 2 Cor. 1.14; Phil. 1.6,10; 2.16; 1 Thess. 5.2,4,5,8; 2 Thess. 2.2,3; 2 Tim. 4.8). Of course, there is no need for mercy in heaven, and there is no mercy given in hell. Where is Onesiphorus? He is in purgatory.

There are many other references in both the old and new testaments. Though the word 'Purgatory' does not appear in Scripture, its existence is understood from scriptural references. The word 'Trinity is never used in Scripture yet we all understand and believe that when Jesus said to go forth to all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, he was referring to the Trinity.

[oh8eleven]

If they’re Holy, why are they in purgatory?
Because that's what happens when you ask people if they're blog pimps.

[humblegunner]

Because that's what happens when you ask people if they're blog pimps.

I should be safe then.

I never ask, I just decide and BANG! It is so.

[Religion Moderator]

This Religion Forum thread is labeled “Catholic Caucus” meaning if you are not currently, actively Catholic then do not post on this thread.

[ferv888]

the following scriptures are where the Catholic Church came with purgatory but,in actuality is where those who never had a chance to hear the Gospel, will get the last chance.

Remember when Christ was on the cross between the two theives, and one recognized Him for who he was, asked for forgiveness and Christ said, “fear not for thou wilt be with me in Paradise this day. Later when Mary Magdeline went to touch Him after the Resurrection, He said, “touch Me not, for I have not yet ascended to my Father in Heaven, but go and tell the Apostles, that I go to My Father and their Father. So He was not in Heaven during the 3 days from the Crucifixion to the Resurrection, therefore where was he?

1st Peter 3:18-20
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the b\unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

I’ve always thought the best proof text is I Cor 3:15:

“If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as through the fire.”