Catholics is it okay to ask for intercession from the souls in purgatory?

Status
Not open for further replies.
No. They are helpless and can neither pray for themselves or others.
 
Depends on who you ask. St. Thomas, no. Some current apologists, yes. However, once they get to heaven, they can for sure.
 
My understanding is that there is no official Church position on this topic. Some saints have held the belief that yes, the holy souls in purgatory can pray for us while going through purgation although they cannot merit for themselves. Other saints have said the opposite. I’ve heard that the holy souls hear our prayers for them and pray for us, but I’ve never considered or heard whether they pray while in purgatory or once released.
 
According to the traditional view, souls in purgatory are in a process of understanding their own sins and can only progress in that through the prayers of the living. HOWEVER, remember they exist in a place between time and eternity, so if you pray for them, they get into Heaven (seconds in time could feel like eternity to them!) and they can then pray for you once they are in Heaven. I like to think of it as a stop-gap processing center to correct and perfect. It is probably more efficient to do that on Earth before we die (the intended purpose of the confessional) but not everyone has that luxury. If they weren’t raised Catholic, they may have more processing to do.

Just remember we are talking about people who exist outside of time. One sure thing: If they get to Purgatory, they will eventually make it to Heaven…guaranteed. Since we don’t know when that will be (could be tomorrow; could be yesterday) I cover my bases with an agreement that I will offer prayer for them if they would please pray for me upon arrival in Heaven.

Hey, it’s metaphysical. It might not make much difference, but it can’t hurt!

Pax!
Maria
 
Guest1 said:
Can they pray for others?
Click to expand...
As St. Alphonsus wrote:

… the souls in purgatory, being beloved by God, and confirmed in grace, have absolutely no impediment to prevent them from praying for us. Still the Church does not invoke them, or implore their intercession, because ordinarily they have no cognizance of our prayers. But we may piously believe that God makes our prayers known to them; and then they, full of charity as they are, most assuredly do not omit to pray for us.

You can read more of the context of his thoughts by doing a CTRL+F search for the words “holy souls” in the above linked article.

This is also of some use: Can the Holy Souls in Purgatory pray for me or offer me their prayers?
 
Last edited:
This thread has some great replies 😄 , but in case a lurker would like a video, here is Tim Staples from Catholic Answers talking about this topic (cross fingers hope this embeds):

 
I thought they could pray for us so sometimes I pray for them and ask them to wake me up at a certain time… you may not believe me but it has happened several times…
 
Yes, we are taught that we can pray for the souls in Purgatory and they can pray for the living. We are all part of the communion of Saints. They cannot pray for each other.

“St. John Vianney said: “If one knew what we may obtain from God by the intercession of the Poor Souls, they would not be so much abandoned. Let us pray a great deal for them, they will pray for us.” St. Theresa of Avila (Spain) said that she always obtained the favours, which she asked from God, through the intercession of the Poor Souls in Purgatory. We must help the Holy Souls in Purgatory. In the bible it says that he, who stops (closes) his ears to the cry of the poor, shall cry himself and shall not be heard.”
 
Last edited:
Roseeurekacross said:
Yes, we are taught that we can pray for the souls in Purgatory and they can pray for the living. We are all part of the communion of Saints. They cannot pray for each other.
Click to expand...
This is to the best of my knowledge and belief, true. I have been taught that the Holy Souls need our intercession and cannot help themselves, but they can intercede for us.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top