Prayers for the Deceased

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FreeEver

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I have a question concerning prayers for the deceased. If you devote prayers, rosary or a mass for a deceased Catholic or non Catholic relative, close friend, acquaintance, or a public figure who has died and has possibly descended to hell (hope not) where does God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or Saints redirect these intentions to?

I realize that the Catholic Church does not condemn souls to hell, but based on accounts of Saints not everyone makes it to purgatory and on to heaven.

If this topic has been answered or discussed before, please direct me to the appropriate thread(s).

Thank you.

God Bless and Peace to all.
 
FreeEver said:
I have a question concerning prayers for the deceased. If you devote prayers, rosary or a mass for a deceased Catholic or non Catholic relative, close friend, acquaintance, or a public figure who has died and has possibly descended to hell (hope not) where does God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, or Saints redirect these intentions to?

I realize that the Catholic Church does not condemn souls to hell, but based on accounts of Saints not everyone makes it to purgatory and on to heaven.

If this topic has been answered or discussed before, please direct me to the appropriate thread(s).

Thank you.

God Bless and Peace to all.
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Of course we do not know who is in Hell but any prayer being said for someone who is in Hell is certainly wasted on that person because they cannot get out of Hell nor have their eternal suffering relieved in any way.
Whether such a prayer might be used/diverted in another way for anyone else so it is not completely wasted I don’t know.
 
thistle said:
Of course we do not know who is in Hell but any prayer being said for someone who is in Hell is certainly wasted on that person because they cannot get out of Hell nor have their eternal suffering relieved in any way.
Whether such a prayer might be used/diverted in another way for anyone else so it is not completely wasted I don’t know.
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Thank you thistle for responding. I sincerely hope someone can address this with some certainty. Perhaps it’s not possible. However, I would hope that good intentions (prayers, rosary, or mass) do not go completely wasted by anyone who has taken the time to address the salvation of a lost soul.

God Bless and Peace o all.
 
First of all, whenever we pray for someone else, that in itself is an act of charity. And by virtue of that we would gain an increase of divine grace in our soul. An act performed out of an act of faith, hope, or charity, is an act which God rewards us in the form of meriting an increase in sanctifying grace. “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” So prayer is always good if only for this reason.

But it is common teaching that if the person prayed for is beyond any help, then that prayer would be applied to someone else who could be helped. Who that would help is up to us to direct. We could make the intention that if the good of this prayer cannot be applied for whom we pray, then we may intend that it help someone in our own family who has died. Just make the intention. Otherwise, the prayer would help whomever God would choose.

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.
 
Thank you Fred. If what you state is likely, and it does sound reasonable, I’ll request directing the intentions secondarily to a living person who still has hope for eternal salvation.

Throughout my lifetime, I have crossed paths with a number of individuals with untimely, unexpected deaths. I’m not sure where they are now. I will continue to pray for them hoping that God in His mercy will grant them eternal peace. If not feasible, then the intentions will be for the living.

God Bless and Peace to all.
 
Saint Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle, be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil, may God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O’ Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust into Hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls.

Amen.

†

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

†

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

†
 
The other case has interested me recently. If the one I pray for is already in Heaven, can they redirect the prayer?
 
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