Having Masses said for the dead (or living)

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dranzal

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I have been curious about the theology involved in having masses said for someone alive or dead.

What exactly are the benefits for the departed soul if he is in purgatory?

What about if he is already in heaven?

What are the benefits (if any) for a living person who just wants to have masses said for himself or his family? I heard recently that it is more beneficial to offer masses when you are living than to have them offered once you are dead.

Any definite church teaching on this?
 
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dranzal:
What exactly are the benefits for the departed soul if he is in purgatory?
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We cannot fathom the amount of graces God contributes to the Holy Souls for having a mass said for them.
What about if he is already in heaven?
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Prayer is never wasted. God will use those graces according to Divine Providence. It is always prudent to assume the soul is in purgatory. Better safe than sorry.
What are the benefits (if any) for a living person who just wants to have masses said for himself or his family?
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God’s mercy is endless. We will not fully know until we are in heaven.
I heard recently that it is more beneficial to offer masses when you are living than to have them offered once you are dead.
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True. A living soul still has the opportunity to earn merit and lesson or eliminate the temporal puninshment for sin. Once a soul is in purgatory all ability to earn merit ceases.
Any definite church teaching on this?
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Council of Florence (1439): DS 1304 It has likewise defined, that, if those truly penitent have departed in the love of God, before they have made satisfaction by worthy fruits of penance for sins of commission and omission, the souls of these are cleansed after death by purgatorial punishments; and so that they may be released from punishments of this kind, the suffrages of the living faithful are of advantage to them, namely, the sacrifices of Masses, prayers, and almsgiving, and other works of piety, which are customarily performed by the faithful for other faithful according to the institutions of the Church.
 
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How To Avoid Purgatory. Easy ways to bypass Purgatory and go straight to Heaven. Many true stories. Says God’s will is that everyone avoid Purgatory. Also, most people, every day, pass up many chances of doing little things to avoid Purgatory. Numerous examples. Most rewarding! (This product can also be purchased as part of the following set: Fr. Paul O’Sullivan Set.)
 
**Purgatory Explained
******Quality paperbound edition
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**Read Me or Rue It
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Read Me or Rue It. Captivating true stories about the Poor Souls in Purgatory, showing how we can and should help them and how they will help us in return! Will help us send souls to Heaven and obtain blessings from the Poor Souls for ourselves. (This product can also be purchased as part of the following set: Fr. Paul O’Sullivan Set.)

*I highly reccommend this book. It is short, interesting and affordable. :yup: *
 
There is a devotion specifically for the Poor Souls in Purgatory (sometimes referred to as the Church Suffering). The Church teaches that in Purgatory the Poor Souls are purged of their affection for sin. This purgation takes the form of suffering. This suffering can be alleviated or even ended (meaning they are taken up to heaven) by appropriate sacrifices by the Church Militant (those of us still physcially alive). The Council of Trent, in Sess XXV, stated:

“Whereas the Catholic Church, instructed by the Holy Ghost, has from the Sacred Scriptures and the ancient tradition of the Fathers taught in Councils and very recently in this Ecumenical synod (Sess. VI, cap. XXX; Sess. XXII cap.ii, iii) that there is a purgatory, and that the souls therein are helped by the suffrages of the faithful, but principally by the acceptable Sacrifice of the Altar; the Holy Synod enjoins on the Bishops that they diligently endeavor to have the sound doctrine of the Fathers in Councils regarding purgatory everywhere taught and preached, held and believed by the faithful” (Denzinger, “Enchiridon”, 983).

Indulgences can also be offered for the Poor Souls. They cannot offer any sacrifices for themselves, but they can pray for us. Poor Souls in Purgatory are destined for Heaven, so in this they have some solace. However, they are separated from God, which is the greatest suffering. Also, there is considerable debate among theologians regarding whether physical suffering is extant in Purgatory, or whether the suffering is simply spiritual.
 
Let me make the question more specific. My baptized 2 year old baby, Gabriel, died three weeks ago. Many people have enrolled him in perpetual masses or have offered individual masses for him. We do, in fact, know that as a baptized and yet sinless baby Gabriel went straight to heaven. He will never have to experience purgatory or the evils of this world.

That is why I am asking these questions. If he doesn’t “need” the masses, as he has already arrived, who do they benefit? If my husband and I want to have masses said, what exactly do we say is the intention?

I do want to look into the book mentioned about avoiding purgatory. I want to go straight to heaven and see my precious baby ( though he won’t be a baby). Our priest was surprised that we went to mass on Sunday immediately after. Honestly, I was surprised that he was surprised. I said to him, “Do you really think I am going to start my baby’s eternal heavenly life in a state of mortal sin?” No way! We won’t be missing any masses.
Thanks.
 
😦

I’m sorry to hear that. But it is good you are taking confort in God’s mercy. Some days I wish I could just go to Heaven. This life wears us all down sometimes!

All the Mass intentions for my parish it just lists a name, and nothing more. If the person is departed or not, I never know.

As someone else mentioned, the graces of the said Mass could go to someone else. We don’t know when someone is out of purgatory, but prayers never go to waste.
 
dranzal :tiphat:

I am sorry for your lose. It is very hard losing a family member. We shall pray for your family.

When we pray for a particular intention, even though to us it makes perfect sense, our Father will only answer those prayers according to His Divine Providence. If our intentions match His Divine Will then He will answer that particular intention at His annointed time. Which we may or may not have the patience to deal with. If our prayer is already answered, but we don’t see the results yet, that continued prayer still has merit. God will apply the merit from that prayer as He sees fit according to His Divine Providence.

So in other words, keep praying and keep those mass intentions coming. The Poor Souls need our sufferages.

Here is an example. Your father’s cancer is serious. No one wants him to die. Everyone prays for a complete healing. He died a very painful death. Did God answer your prayer? Yes, He did. But according to God’s Providence your Dad’s healing came after death. The prayers offered on your father’s behalf and his suffering offered in union with Christ’s suffering instead of going to his physical healing went to your brother whom left the Church. Prayer is never wasted.

Does this make sense?

Luke.11
11] What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;
12] or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
13] If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
 
Jennifer,
Actually there is no need for Masses to be said for Gabriel because we know he is in Heaven. He was babtized and went straight Home.
When Anthony died, our priest would not do a Rosary or Funeral Mass. He said the child had no sin, he doesn not need our prayers. We had the Rite of Christain Burial at the gravesite.
If people are having Masses said for him, the gesture is a little misguided. The Masses would be better said for the intention of your family, for your peace, healing of heart, etc.
That said, prayer is never wasted, and the graces of the Masses being said will go where God sees best.

I’m sure the books on Purgatory that were recommended will give you the answers on why it is good to pray for the dead, especially if we have no way of knowing if they went straight to heaven or need or prayers in purgatory.

Arlene
 
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