How can we help the souls in purgatory?
Catechism Meditation:
Communion with the dead. “In full consciousness of this communion of the whole Mystical Body of Jesus Christ, the Church in its pilgrim members, from the very earliest days of the Christian religion, has honored with great respect the memory of the dead; and ‘because it is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins’ she offers her suffrages for them.” Our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective. ―No. 958
REFLECTION. Not only do we experience grief and loss when our loved ones leave us in death, but we may also worry for the state of their souls as a natural response and reflection of our love. Scriptures and the Catholic Church have always taught of the existence of purgatory, where we are cleansed after death of the remnants of our sins, and where our souls are prepared to enter heaven and perfect union with God.
Father John Hardon’s Modern Catholic Dictionary defines suffrages as: “The prayers prescribed or promised for specific intentions. More particularly, suffrages are the Masses, prayers, or acts of piety offered for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed.” Suffrages are the prayers, Rosaries, and Masses that we offer for the souls in purgatory. This is something that we can do at all times – and should do – as it is one of the most charitable acts that we can do.
So let us pray for the dead and the Holy Souls in purgatory. We need to learn from purgatory, avoid purgatory and empty purgatory.
Prayer: Gracious Father, I ask for Your mercy upon the souls in purgatory.
Timeless Wisdom Quote:
“As we enter Heaven, we will see them, so many of them, coming towards us and thanking us. We will ask who they are, and they will say ‘a poor soul you prayed for in purgatory.'” ― Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
Featured Video:
What is Purgatory? (6:00)
