Can we pray for the salvation of someone who has already died?

[Tammie]

I know that our Faith encourages us to pray for the dead, for the repose of their souls; but is it alright to pray for the SALVATION of someone who has already died?

This may seem like a strange question… but I was recently browsing through the book, “Catholic Q & A” by Fr. John Dietzen, and came across a similar question asked by a mother grieving over the death of her adult son. Fr. Dietzen brought up a few points that I have never heard anywhere else, and since I have never heard of this author, I don’t know if what he’s saying is orthodox? In his answer, he says that “God is not bound by the limits of time, past or future. The prayers we offer… can be ‘answered’ by God long before they are actually said…The official prayers of the Church at Masses for the dead for example, repeatedly imply (by praying for ‘forgiveness’ and so on) an extension of that prayer back to that person’s time on earth and his or her preparations for death.”

I don’t like to question the writings of a Catholic priest, but is this orthodox teaching? It would give me great comfort if I can do this, but I don’t want to offer these prayers if it’s wrong to…

 

[PhilotheaZ]

Yes, that sounds absolutely correct to me. In other words, because God’s actions are outside the confines of time, He knew long before a person died that we would be praying for that person after his or her death. God can take that into account and give that person the grace of final repentance before the moment of death.

We can never despair of anyone’s soul. We can (and should) pray for the souls even of hardened criminals who have died, people like Hitler, etc.

We see events in a linear fashion (time). God sees the big picture — everything at once.

 

[Tietjen]

I know that our Faith encourages us to pray for the dead, for the repose of their souls; but is it alright to pray for the SALVATION of someone who has already died?

This may seem like a strange question… but I was recently browsing through the book, “Catholic Q & A” by Fr. John Dietzen, and came across a similar question asked by a mother grieving over the death of her adult son. Fr. Dietzen brought up a few points that I have never heard anywhere else, and since I have never heard of this author, I don’t know if what he’s saying is orthodox? In his answer, he says that “God is not bound by the limits of time, past or future. The prayers we offer… can be ‘answered’ by God long before they are actually said…The official prayers of the Church at Masses for the dead for example, repeatedly imply (by praying for ‘forgiveness’ and so on) an extension of that prayer back to that person’s time on earth and his or her preparations for death.”

I don’t like to question the writings of a Catholic priest, but is this orthodox teaching? It would give me great comfort if I can do this, but I don’t want to offer these prayers if it’s wrong to…

I have heard that same explaination before and believe that there is nothing wrong with praying for the Salvation of someone who has passed away.

 

[fin]

but if a person is already in eternal damnation, no amount of prayers would release that person from that state.

But as what one reply said, God is outside of time. That means he can use future prayers, or prayers many years after a particular person has died, and apply it to that time, so that this person may obtain repentance before death, right?

Hope someone could explain this more clearly.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

But as what one reply said, God is outside of time. That means he can use future prayers, or prayers many years after a particular person has died, and apply it to that time, so that this person may obtain repentance before death, right?

That’s right. We can never assume that any specific person is eternally damned. NEVER. Yes, there are souls in hell, but we can never know which ones. (In the case of canonized saints, we can definitively know that certain ones are in HEAVEN.)

It is our duty and privilege to pray for all the souls in purgatory. These prayers will never go to waste. If the person we are praying for is not in need of those prayers, God will apply them to someone else.

We must always trust in God’s mercy.

 

[Jennifer_G]

I heard that Padre Pio once prayed for his father, even 10 years after he died. Heaven is beyond time, so God could go right to the point of that person’s death so they can make a final act of contrition.

 

[Andruschak]

That’s right. We can never assume that any specific person is eternally damned. NEVER. Yes, there are souls in hell, but we can never know which ones. (In the case of canonized saints, we can definitively know that certain ones are in HEAVEN.)

It is our duty and privilege to pray for all the souls in purgatory. These prayers will never go to waste. If the person we are praying for is not in need of those prayers, God will apply them to someone else.

We must always trust in God’s mercy.

That is what I have been told, by several Priests. And that is why I buy sets of Gregorian Masses for family and friends, even those who were not Catholic when they died. Depending on the amount of overtime money I get, I may buy 0, 1, or even 2 sets of Gregorian masses per month

 

[Joe_Kelley]

but if a person is already in eternal damnation, no amount of prayers would release that person from that state.

But as what one reply said, God is outside of time. That means he can use future prayers, or prayers many years after a particular person has died, and apply it to that time, so that this person may obtain repentance before death, right?

Hope someone could explain this more clearly.

That is my belief. I have one particular murder victim I pray for that they repented a sinful life and forgave the murderer.

 

[fin]

That’s right. We can never assume that any specific person is eternally damned. NEVER. Yes, there are souls in hell, but we can never know which ones.

I

Another silly question from moi. Why are there souls in hell, if future prayers can be applied to hardened sinners before they die? Which means that they can receive the grace of repentance. I assume that souls in hell did not receive this final grace.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

Another silly question from moi. Why are there souls in hell, if future prayers can be applied to hardened sinners before they die? Which means that they can receive the grace of repentance. I assume that souls in hell did not receive this final grace.

God never takes away our free will. He can offer all the graces we need for salvation, but if we refuse them, He will not force us to love Him.

 

[CHCatholic]

When I was in Vienna I prayed a Rosary for Beethoven and Mozart at each respective grave…they better be in heaven to keep me entertained So I’ll pray all I can to try and get them there.

 

[Tammie]

Thanks for all the posts, everybody. I have found your answers to be very helpful.

 

[Byzcat]

I actually recently started praying for a uncle who died about 25 years ago. He was not a Christian. was a hard-core alcoholic and basically a bum.

He was also very kind to me. I was a stepchild and was never really treated like one of the family by step-grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins or stepfather. I was always the odd one out. But Chet, my step-father’s uncle was always good to me. He would talk to me, tell me stories, admire my childish drawings.

I remember once when I was thirteen, my parents started getting all dressed up in fancy but dark-colored clothing. I asked where they were going. They said “To uncle Chet’s funeral”.

I didn’t even know he had died. So I sat home and babysat my sister while my parents, who didn’t really much care for Uncle Chet, attended his funeral for appearances sake. I never got to properly pay my respects.

So, anyway, now I pray for the soul of the only person in that entire wretchedly dysfunctional family who made me feel like I was in some way related to him. It never even occurred to me that God could not reach back in time to offer him final repentance.