PRAYING FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY
The month of November is traditionally dedicated as praying for the poor souls in purgatory though in a particular way we did so earlier in the week on 2 November – All souls Day, when we traditionally commemorate the faithful departed.
The doctrine of purgatory (Latin: purgatorium; “to purge”) itself has been a bone of contention but having such a “state” is quite logical when one considers what it truly teaches and the fact that it is backed by Sacred Scripture and Tradition.
If Scripture mentions that nothing unclean enters into God’s holy presence (Rev 21:27) then there must be a period of purification or ‘a cleansing fire’ to undergo before one enters Heaven. Numerous passages in the Bible allude to this. For instance, we find Jesus stating that “whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven in this age or the age to come”. (Mt 12:31-32) What could this imply if not that a time/place exists for such sins to be forgiven?
Jews before the time of Jesus had this custom and it is also testified during the time of the early Church and in the writings of the Church Fathers. We find the Catechism Of The Catholic Church stating: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned” (CCC nos 1030–1).
God’s deep and providential love extends his mercies to those in purgatory. During a vision of the Purgatory that St Faustina had, she asked the souls what their greatest suffering was. Their response was that it was a longing for God. The longing gets stronger along with the maturing in love; after all, love is the measure of longing.
One of the ways we can help these poor souls is to remember to pray for them. They in turn will pray for us.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
Fr Alliston
