Helping others get to Heaven

[cakmke]

Two people that I know and care about aren’t too concerned about life after death or where they might spend eternity. One was born Catholic and received sacraments but during college just stopped going to Church…etc. He’s 45. I try to get him to go to Church with me or atleast Reconciliation but it’s like talking to a brick wall.
The other guy is 37 and doesn’t have a particular religion of any kind. I don’t think he was raised with one either. He doesn’t go to Church. I have a feeling based on his actions and things that he has said that he may even be agnostic. I don’t have contact with him to talk to him, but I want to help him.
Is praying for them the only way I can help them get to Heaven? If so, is there any prayer or act that I could do that would help them? I know of plenary indulgences but I am not really sure how they would apply. I think the person would have to make himself right with God before he dies. How do you get someone to make right with God if they don’t have the desire?
Any thoughts, suggestions, experiences?

 

[r4j]

Whew - big question. I have thought about this issue with people in my life - how do I approach them, do I approach them, do I let God take care of it, do I lead a moral and upright life and that’s the best gospel I can preach to them, do I reform myself ever most closely to Christ throughout my life and maybe that will move them in some way.
As I think about the people I would like to share the word of God with, I think that I need to use a different approach based upon the individual.
I think with some folks, if you try and ‘force’ it on them, you’ll only drive them away further. For others, the hammer approach might work. Prayer and reparation, as you stated, probably won’t hurt and can only help.
I know that my one job in marriage is to get my spouse to heaven. That has required to be very discerning about what approach to use and when. Same with my children.
Someone told me recently - ‘instead of trying to be convincing, just talk about your convictions.’

 

[Jacafamala]

Whew - big question. I have thought about this issue with people in my life - how do I approach them, do I approach them, do I let God take care of it, do I lead a moral and upright life and that’s the best gospel I can preach to them, do I reform myself ever most closely to Christ throughout my life and maybe that will move them in some way.
As I think about the people I would like to share the word of God with, I think that I need to use a different approach based upon the individual.
I think with some folks, if you try and ‘force’ it on them, you’ll only drive them away further. For others, the hammer approach might work. Prayer and reparation, as you stated, probably won’t hurt and can only help.
I know that my one job in marriage is to get my spouse to heaven. That has required to be very discerning about what approach to use and when. Same with my children.
Someone told me recently - 'instead of trying to be convincing, just talk about your convictions.'

I think this is key. To the original poster, if you don’t get to see them, do you have the the opportunity to sit down and send an email? If possible, do that. And otherwise, pray and offer sacrifices for them. You could also send them green scapulars.

 

[Shin]

Intercede for them with God, and with the saints. Pray and speak to them about this matter seriously and steadfastly.

Pray their angels influence them, and submit yourself as a helper to their angels in these matters.

Gather up merit by suffering for their sake, so that you can influence their lives through participating in the merits of Christ on the Cross.

Give them a book or two, try to find one they would read that does not contain problems.
Perhaps there is some subject that relates they might find discussion worthy.

The greater your personal holiness the more sway you will have in helping them. Trust in God, and do your best. If you love them in Christ, and are steadfast, I think there is much to hope for.

They would be best taught a prayer of perfect contrition and what that consists of, i.e. repentance for all their sins known and unknown. Don’t rely too much on teaching them this if they do learn it, they need the proper real interior state and mental commitment to repentance which they do not have at this time. They need to convert and that takes interior work on their parts, though we can always hold out hope for that rare miracle we must not rely on these they are the last potentially possible chance, not the first hope which should be more concrete for our aim.

 

[4EverHis]

don’t give up praying

try to pray a novena for them… offer sacrifices and any sufferings you come across… we can’t offer indulgences for the living, but we can offer Masses, and I’ve heard this is really powerful maybe you can get a Mass offered?

“Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer” (St Padre Pio)

“Pray, my children. God will answer before long. My Son lets Himself be moved” (Our Lady of Hope)

 

[Catholic1954]

Pray the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine for them. You will amazed at the results!