There is a longstanding tradition in the Catholic Church to pray for the souls of the deceased. We are all part of the Communion of Saints and our role is to intercede for each other. Not only in this life on earth, but also after we have departed. Praying for the souls of those that have gone before us goes right in step with Divine Mercy.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church also says that our prayer for the souls in purgatory is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective. (CCC 958)
So, here’s how it goes with the praying Body of Christ. Some disciples are here on earth, others are in the full glory of heaven and others have died and are being purified (waiting to certainly go to heaven after the purification process). We, the Militant Church here on earth, pray for each other and for the souls in purgatory. The Triumphant Church, the saints in heaven, pray for us and for the souls in purgatory. The Penitent Church, the souls in purgatory, soon to be saints, have the power to pray for us! Yes! Amazing and true! The holy souls in purgatory can intercede for us too! They are still members of the Body of Christ even in the time of purification and just like Christ….they LOVE US!
Bishop Fulton Sheen once said that “As we enter Heaven, we will see them, so many of them, coming toward us and thanking us. We will ask who they are and they will say: ‘A poor soul you prayed for in purgatory.'”
Try to find time to visit one of our local cemeteries.
When you pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory you never pray alone.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church also says that our prayer for the souls in purgatory is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective. (CCC 958)
So, here’s how it goes with the praying Body of Christ. Some disciples are here on earth, others are in the full glory of heaven and others have died and are being purified (waiting to certainly go to heaven after the purification process). We, the Militant Church here on earth, pray for each other and for the souls in purgatory. The Triumphant Church, the saints in heaven, pray for us and for the souls in purgatory. The Penitent Church, the souls in purgatory, soon to be saints, have the power to pray for us! Yes! Amazing and true! The holy souls in purgatory can intercede for us too! They are still members of the Body of Christ even in the time of purification and just like Christ….they LOVE US!
Bishop Fulton Sheen once said that “As we enter Heaven, we will see them, so many of them, coming toward us and thanking us. We will ask who they are and they will say: ‘A poor soul you prayed for in purgatory.'”
Try to find time to visit one of our local cemeteries.
When you pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory you never pray alone.
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