Are we ALL going to heaven?

[hausofferni]

This is something that I have been curious About. I know we shouldn’t judge but when someone dies and they sinned their entire life (mortally), why do family still hold a novena for their soul or a mass etc for them to reach heaven? I thought that we are sent to hell right away? Like I know some people who say that “their family member is now in heaven with God” as soon as they die, and I’m like??? Are they really in heaven?? Or some people who say that their family member is now an angel in heaven with God? And I don’t understand how they are SO SURE that their loved one, is indeed an angel with God? I know that humans and angels are completely different. I’m just confused by all of this.

 

[Della]

This is something that I have been curious About. I know we shouldn’t judge but when someone dies and they sinned their entire life (mortally), why do family still hold a novena for their soul or a mass etc for them to reach heaven?

We cannot know the state of anyone’s soul except canonized saints, so it’s perfectly proper to pray a novena or pray for the repose of the soul of deceased loved ones no matter how badly we think they lived their lives. There is always the hope that they made a perfect act of contrition just before they died. And yes indeed, we cannot judge others’ souls, only God has that right.

I thought that we are sent to hell right away?

Those who die unrepentant go to hell right away, but again we cannot know who died unrepentant.

Like I know some people who say that “their family member is now in heaven with God” as soon as they die, and I’m like??? Are they really in heaven?? Or some people who say that their family member is now an angel in heaven with God? And I don’t understand how they are SO SURE that their loved one, is indeed an angel with God? I know that humans and angels are completely different. I’m just confused by all of this.

Family members always want to think the best of their loved ones. That’s only natural. But in truth, we need to pray for our beloved dead because only God knows the truth state of their souls. And when people say their loved one is now an angel in heaven, really what they mean is the blessed dead are like the angels–which Jesus told us is the state of the blessed souls in heaven. If they actually think their loved one is now an angel, then they have the wrong idea, still pointing that out while they are grieving is probably not the best time to correct them.

 

[Sarcelle]

This is something that I have been curious About. I know we shouldn’t judge but when someone dies and they sinned their entire life (mortally), why do family still hold a novena for their soul or a mass etc for them to reach heaven? I thought that we are sent to hell right away? Like I know some people who say that “their family member is now in heaven with God” as soon as they die, and I’m like??? Are they really in heaven?? Or some people who say that their family member is now an angel in heaven with God? And I don’t understand how they are SO SURE that their loved one, is indeed an angel with God? I know that humans and angels are completely different. I’m just confused by all of this.

You can’t be sure either way. What are you going to say to these family members? That their loved one is in hell?

How sure are you? Personally I would also hold novenas or request a mass be said for a loved one. I do not presume anyone to be beyond the mercy of God. I do not also presume that everyone goes to heaven. That is not my call.

Meanwhile I can pray for them. What exactly is wrong with that?

 

[porthos11]

This is something that I have been curious About. I know we shouldn’t judge but when someone dies and they sinned their entire life (mortally), why do family still hold a novena for their soul or a mass etc for them to reach heaven? I thought that we are sent to hell right away? Like I know some people who say that “their family member is now in heaven with God” as soon as they die, and I’m like??? Are they really in heaven?? Or some people who say that their family member is now an angel in heaven with God? And I don’t understand how they are SO SURE that their loved one, is indeed an angel with God? I know that humans and angels are completely different. I’m just confused by all of this.

The first part of your question you partially answered. We cannot judge the state of anyone’s soul at the moment of death. Therefore, we DO always pray for the soul of our departed loved ones. Given that no prayer is ever wasted, if the loved one needs them, God will aid her. If the loved one is already in hell, God applies the merits of your prayers to another soul who needs them.

The second part is another irritating thing. No, souls do not become angels with God. No, we do not know a soul is already in heaven. That’s why we hold funeral Masses, to pray for their souls, not to canonize them. That people love saying this even if in their grief again just points to the rotten state of catechesis these days. But of course practically speaking, you understand the state the family is in and tread lightly. A funeral is not the time to be correcting them of any misconceptions they may have.

And as for the question in your title, I think you know the answer to that.

 

[hausofferni]

Ok here is another question…how would we know if our family member is in heaven? Would we ask for their intercession and see if one of our prayers is answered? After a saint dies, that is when they perform intercession miracles but did people just start asking those saints to pray for them after their death? And I didn’t mean for this question to be taken offensively so please don’t attack me as I was just curious and am still learning. Thank you.

 

[porthos11]

Ok here is another question…how would we know if our family member is in heaven? Would we ask for their intercession and see if one of our prayers is answered? After a saint dies, that is when they perform intercession miracles but did people just start asking those saints to pray for them after their death? And I didn’t mean for this question to be taken offensively so please don’t attack me as I was just curious and am still learning. Thank you.

You don’t.

That’s why you don’t stop praying for them.

Unless you want to open a cause for their canonization, but they would really have to have been heroic in the practice of their faith when they were still alive. People begin praying for intercession only after the Church has declared them Venerable.

 

[Della]

You don’t.

Yes, just as we don’t assume anyone is in hell, neither do we assume they are in heaven. We pray for the respose of their souls, the assumption being, if that’s the right way to put it, that they are in purgatory and in need of our prayers.

That’s why you don’t stop praying for them.

:yup:

Unless you want to open a cause for their canonization, but they would really have to have been heroic in the practice of their faith when they were still alive. People begin praying for intercession only after the Church has declared them Venerable.

Isn’t the first stage for canonization “servant of God”? In any case, it’s the local bishop who starts the process, if he feels it is warranted.

 

[Elizium23]

Unless you want to open a cause for their canonization, but they would really have to have been heroic in the practice of their faith when they were still alive. People begin praying for intercession only after the Church has declared them Venerable.

No, people begin praying for intercession immediately after their death. We do not wait for a Cause to be opened or declaration as Venerable. I pray to my grandparents for intercession, in the earnest hope that they are in Heaven with God. You can pray to them too.

 

[TK421]

No, we’re not all going to Heaven. We are infallibly aware that there are legions of angels with rational souls that have been condemned to eternal hell, and we possess rational souls just like the angels do. The Apocalypse of John in Sacred Scripture, Our Lady of Fatima, and a large quantity of canonized mystics all report human souls being in hell at this instant.

 

[porthos11]

Yes, just as we don’t assume anyone is in hell, neither do we assume they are in heaven. We pray for the respose of their souls, the assumption being, if that’s the right way to put it, that they are in purgatory and in need of our prayers.

:yup:

Isn’t the first stage for canonization “servant of God”? In any case, it’s the local bishop who starts the process, if he feels it is warranted.

You’re right, Servant of God. But I thought Venerable was the stage at which intercessory prayer can be offered because of the requirement of a miracle. But I may have my facts off.

But regardless, I am not praying to my dead relatives. I pray FOR them.

 

[Elizium23]

You’re right, Servant of God. But I thought Venerable was the stage at which intercessory prayer can be offered because of the requirement of a miracle. But I may have my facts off.

But regardless, I am not praying to my dead relatives. I pray FOR them.

One miracle is required for beatification and two for canonization. Ordinarily, that is, without a Papal decree to the contrary.

Universal veneration of a person is not permitted until canonization. Before then, the veneration must be individual and grass-roots.

The process of beatification and canonization

The theological commission must also determine whether the miracle resulted through the intercession of the Servant of God alone. If the family and friends have been praying without cease to the Servant of God exclusively, then the case is demonstrated. However, if they have been praying to the Servant of God, to the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph and others, then the case is clouded, and probably cannot be demonstrated. Thus, the task of the theological commission is two-fold, judge whether the cure was a miracle, and judge whether this miracle is due to the intercession of the Servant of God. The decision is forwarded to the Congregation in Rome.

It is quite a shame that you do not pray to your dead relatives. You are missing out on miracles. Imagine how many more canonized saints we would have if all Catholics prayed to their dead loved ones and obtained favors, great and small.

 

[smaw8]

Ok here is another question…how would we know if our family member is in heaven? Would we ask for their intercession and see if one of our prayers is answered? After a saint dies, that is when they perform intercession miracles but did people just start asking those saints to pray for them after their death? And I didn’t mean for this question to be taken offensively so please don’t attack me as I was just curious and am still learning. Thank you.

You don’t know, you just hope and continue praying for them.

 

[paduard]

Ok here is another question…how would we know if our family member is in heaven? Would we ask for their intercession and see if one of our prayers is answered? After a saint dies, that is when they perform intercession miracles but did people just start asking those saints to pray for them after their death? And I didn’t mean for this question to be taken offensively so please don’t attack me as I was just curious and am still learning. Thank you.

In my opinion, provided any of your relatives did not live a very evil life (and this would be quite exceptional), they are almost certainly already in Heaven. They are therefore saints. Personally I don’t think you are asking the right questions - such as one just e.g. - how soon after death are they in heaven?.

God Bless,
paduard