Prayers for those in Purgatory

[JoeFreedom]

Earlier this year my paternal grandpa passed away, after a long and productive life. My grandma passed away about 7 years ago. I say this because I hope my grandma had some influence on him before she passed, as she believed in God, although she never really practiced, so I could see her soul in Purgatory. (I also hope too that our prayers were enough to coordinate God’s divine mercy to change my grandpa’s mind into believing before he died, of which I was told he did not while he was alive before he was in the hospital)

He was admitted to the hospital due to basically “dying of old age” and so many of us in the family were able to go see him during his last days. Some of the family who believes prayed at his side, and others spoke into his ear. I knew at his age (mid-90’s) and his condition over the last few years, he was probably in the last stages of life, and so I prayed that he would accept Jesus. I suppose I don’t really know if he did, but I was told by another close relative that he denied God, but I don’t really know, because I never did ask him personally. (That is another topic, but don’t want to discuss it here).

After he died, a family friend, who is a Catholic deacon, performed services at the wake and funeral. Of course, they were religious services. But it seemed odd to me that if it were true that my grandpa did not love God or accept Jesus as his Savior, then why the religious service?

I know that in the final hours, the angels and saints and God in Heaven can do miraculous things, and I believe my grandpa knew everyone was in the room for the last few days, so that means he could “hear” everyone. To what extent, I don’t know.

For whatever reason, I believe he never did accept Jesus, as much and as deeply as I hope and want to believe he did. In which case, I know he did not enter into Heaven or Purgatory. Of course, I cannot really know.

So then, how then, with my belief do I pray for his soul if it is in Purgatory (if he accepted Jesus during his final breaths)? I don’t know if he is there or not. How can we pray for any soul who is in Purgatory when we don’t know? Is it sort of a sense that the person who died believed in Jesus’ salvation but maybe we knew had some “issues”? Do we pray for all souls in Purgatory but no one specifically? I think it may be silly to pray for someone who is Hell.

 

[katpants]

I’m bumping this since I’m kind of lost on the whole prayer for the souls of purgatory thing too. I"m sorry about the loss of your grandfather .

Kat

 

[JerryZ]

Certainly you can pray for any of your relatives that have passed on.
I can tell you that I have a few (relatives) of mine that unfortunately were not role models of human beings, never mind of Christianity.
Do I stop praying for them because of this? Of course not. I understand that if they are in a place were my prayers for them are useless GOD will use my prayers for someone that needs them and I do not mind that this is so. HE is GOD and I accept His judgement.

It is not up to us to judge anyone’s final destination, just to be faithful to what the Church teaches us. Praying for the souls in Purgatory is one of the works of corporal mercy.

---

 

[pollylodges]

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.

†

 

[Rachel4141]

Thank you to the OP for asking this question and a big thank you to Jerryz for the amazing answer.

It is with relief that I read this question and the answer as I too have beloved family members that have now passed who had no outward sign either way to belief in God although I know that my Grandad was raised Catholic but had long since stopped practising his faith. It is with a heavy heart sometimes that I ask God for His forgiveness for their souls as I do not know where they are, pugatory or hell. But this topic has given me a hope and a purpose to keep praying, and to continue in my efforts to someday earn a plenary indulgence for some of them at least

 

[tawny]

Praying for the repose of your Grandmother’s soul.

 

[Techno2000]

Earlier this year my paternal grandpa passed away, after a long and productive life. My grandma passed away about 7 years ago. I say this because I hope my grandma had some influence on him before she passed, as she believed in God, although she never really practiced, so I could see her soul in Purgatory. (I also hope too that our prayers were enough to coordinate God’s divine mercy to change my grandpa’s mind into believing before he died, of which I was told he did not while he was alive before he was in the hospital)

He was admitted to the hospital due to basically “dying of old age” and so many of us in the family were able to go see him during his last days. Some of the family who believes prayed at his side, and others spoke into his ear. I knew at his age (mid-90’s) and his condition over the last few years, he was probably in the last stages of life, and so I prayed that he would accept Jesus. I suppose I don’t really know if he did, but I was told by another close relative that he denied God, but I don’t really know, because I never did ask him personally. (That is another topic, but don’t want to discuss it here).

After he died, a family friend, who is a Catholic deacon, performed services at the wake and funeral. Of course, they were religious services. But it seemed odd to me that if it were true that my grandpa did not love God or accept Jesus as his Savior, then why the religious service?

I know that in the final hours, the angels and saints and God in Heaven can do miraculous things, and I believe my grandpa knew everyone was in the room for the last few days, so that means he could “hear” everyone. To what extent, I don’t know.

For whatever reason, I believe he never did accept Jesus, as much and as deeply as I hope and want to believe he did. In which case, I know he did not enter into Heaven or Purgatory. Of course, I cannot really know.

So then, how then, with my belief do I pray for his soul if it is in Purgatory (if he accepted Jesus during his final breaths)? I don’t know if he is there or not. How can we pray for any soul who is in Purgatory when we don’t know? Is it sort of a sense that the person who died believed in Jesus’ salvation but maybe we knew had some “issues”? Do we pray for all souls in Purgatory but no one specifically? I think it may be silly to pray for someone who is Hell.

Excerpt : An Unpublished Manuscript on Purgatory

I can tell you about the different degrees of Purgatory because I have passed through them. In the great Purgatory there are several stages. In the lowest and most painful, like a temporary hell, are the sinners who have committed terrible crimes during life and whose death surprised them in that state. It was almost a miracle that they were saved, and often by the prayers of holy parents or other pious persons. Sometimes they did not even have time to confess their sins and the world thought them lost, but God, whose mercy is infinite, gave them at the moment of death the contrition necessary for their salvation on account of one or more good actions which they performed during life. For such souls, Purgatory is terrible. It is a real hell with this difference, that in hell they curse God, whereas we bless Him and thank Him for having saved us.
catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=6253

 

[JoeFreedom]

Thank you to the OP for asking this question and a big thank you to Jerryz for the amazing answer.

It is with relief that I read this question and the answer as I too have beloved family members that have now passed who had no outward sign either way to belief in God although I know that my Grandad was raised Catholic but had long since stopped practising his faith. It is with a heavy heart sometimes that I ask God for His forgiveness for their souls as I do not know where they are, pugatory or hell. But this topic has given me a hope and a purpose to keep praying, and to continue in my efforts to someday earn a plenary indulgence for some of them at least

Rachel, I echo your sentiments about Jerryz comment. That’s why I come to CAF with all of my questions. I know someone great like Jerryz will answer them!

 

[InNomineDomini]

So then, how then, with my belief do I pray for his soul if it is in Purgatory (if he accepted Jesus during his final breaths)? I don’t know if he is there or not. How can we pray for any soul who is in Purgatory when we don’t know?

Well, the short answer to this is that we don’t need to know, because God does, and He’s the one who applies our prayers as He sees fit. Our knowledge does not in any way impact the efficacy of our prayers, only our holiness does.

Is it sort of a sense that the person who died believed in Jesus’ salvation but maybe we knew had some “issues”? Do we pray for all souls in Purgatory but no one specifically? I think it may be silly to pray for someone who is Hell.

I think we should pray for particular souls as often as it comes to mind. Perhaps Joe Smith is in Hell, and our prayers won’t do him any good. But we can always include, in our prayers, a petition for God to apply them to someone else who may need them, if it’s not possible to apply them to Mr. Smith.