More holy to pray for the Poor Souls in Purgatory than for sinners who are still alive?

[Pythagoras]

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich said that it is more holy to pray for the Poor Souls in Purgatory than for sinners who are still alive.

Is this true? My thinking is that the holy souls in purgatory are at least for the time being already saved although still suffering, so my prayers are better for the conversion of sinners here on earth who are under the risk of going to hell.

Do other saints agree with the view of Blessed Emmerich?

 

[Robert_Sock]

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich said that it is more holy to pray for the Poor Souls in Purgatory than for sinners who are still alive.

Is this true? My thinking is that the holy souls in purgatory are at least for the time being already saved although still suffering, so my prayers are better for the conversion of sinners here on earth who are under the risk of going to hell.

Do other saints agree with the view of Blessed Emmerich?

Something does not sound right. There are many Saints, like Saint Monica who prayed a long time to convert Augustine.

 

[Gliggle]

I asked a priest if all mass stipends had to be offered for the dead, and if I could give mass stipends for living people I know, and he said its best to offer them for the dead, but I may certainly offer them for the living.

This is probably a similar belief. Maybe because the souls in purgatory suffer so much it is good to pray for them. Even though their suffering is tempered by the knowledge that they are saved, I have heard a few saints say its still worse than anything suffered by the living, so it is an act of mercy. Sorry I can’t remember which ones say that…

But this view doesn’t diminish the act of praying for the living. Especially if God has called a person to particularly pray for the living. We are all called to different degrees of holiness too remember, yet we are all called to perfection, and perfection lies in following God’s will. So I don’t think this view is meant as an implication that it is a waste of time to pray for the living.

 

[laircy]

On one hand those in Purgatory suffer more, but on the other, those on earth might yet be saved or damned… personally I am more worried for those on earth, but still pray St. Gertrude’s prayer (for the dead) daily.

 

[pianistclare]

I was told that Masses for the living are the most efficacious, because they lead to conversion of hearts.
Although it is necessary to pray for those in purgatory.
If souls are in purgatory…they’re on the way home.
People alive right now? Maybe not.
I tend to have Masses said for every occasion: birthdays, anniversaries, success in new career.

 

[jmj777]

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich said that it is more holy to pray for the Poor Souls in Purgatory than for sinners who are still alive.

Is this true? My thinking is that the holy souls in purgatory are at least for the time being already saved although still suffering, so my prayers are better for the conversion of sinners here on earth who are under the risk of going to hell.

Do other saints agree with the view of Blessed Emmerich?

The suffering souls in Purgatory can do NOTHING to lessen their suffering. Our prayers and sacrifices can be applied to lessen their suffering and when they are finally in Heaven who do you think they will pray for unceasingly before the throne of God? Those that prayed for them here on earth.

Praying for the living is absolutely valuable and helps them in most need of the mercy of God. However, the living can also pray for themselves and help themselves. Big difference between the **helplessness **AND **suffering **those in Purgatory endure. They are truly the Church Suffering while we here on earth are the Church Militant using all the Church offers at our disposal to help our souls and the souls of others.

Purgatory is a place of great suffering and not just a place of “waiting.” They can never lessen their suffering, not even for an instant. Mother Church has allowed us here on earth to offer Masses, prayers, and sacrifices to help them.

Peace.

+JMJ+