Expiatory and Purification

[Maathw]

Hi there!

I am just wondering about what is the best form of expiation to the souls in purgatory.

We pray the Rosary for the dead and we also offer masses for them. But I was discouraged when I learned that the sentences or the stay of the souls in purgatory are too long. It can even range from decades and maybe even centuries. This is according to the saints who visited purgatory, like St. Faustina.

Do my prayers and rosaries even help?

God Bless

 

[JerryZ]

Once the soul leaves the earthly body time has no meaning anymore.
So thinking on our terms about purgatory is not appropriate.
And yes our prayers do help.
In fact I would venture they are indispensable for some souls that have no one that prays for them.
Also praying for them is good for us!
Peace!

 

[Vico]

Hi there!

I am just wondering about what is the best form of expiation to the souls in purgatory.

We pray the Rosary for the dead and we also offer masses for them. But I was discouraged when I learned that the sentences or the stay of the souls in purgatory are too long. It can even range from decades and maybe even centuries. This is according to the saints who visited purgatory, like St. Faustina.

Do my prayers and rosaries even help?

God Bless

The best is to obtain indulgences because these are actually additional merits added to the merit of the indulgenced acts by themselves. See Indulgentiarum Doctrina

Since by their acts the faithful can obtain, in addition to the merit which is the principal fruit of the act, a further remission of temporal punishment in proportion to the degree to which the charity of the one performing the act is greater, and in proportion to the degree to which the act itself is performed in a more perfect way, it has been considered fitting that this remission of temporal punishment which the Christian faithful acquire through an action should serve as the measurement for the remission of punishment which the ecclesiastical authority bountifully adds by way of partial indulgence.

http://w2.vatican.va/content/paul-v...-vi_apc_01011967_indulgentiarum-doctrina.html