Praying for the Souls in Purgatory Questions!

[persevere71]

I’ve been more dedicated to praying for the souls in purgatory. I am a little confused , I’ve read many articles that say you have to be in the state of grace to help the souls . What if I am not would my prayers still help or is it being in the state of grace to receive an indulgence?

 

[Wannabe_Monk_16]

First off, thanks for praying for your brothers and sisters in Christ who are in the process of purgation! Secondly, every single little prayer for the Church Suffering helps them. I think (and I humbly defer to the disclaimer in my signature) that when you are in state of grace, your prayers will be more efficacious because James 5:16.
Try praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory who must remain there until Last Judgment, those siblings of ours really need our prayers!

 

[St_Francis]

W.r.t. prayers while not in a state of grace, there is some discussion as to whether they " become effective" after one goes to Confession; since that is unknown, the recommendation is usually to pray. The other thing is that we can not be absolutely positive we are not in a state of grace, esp if we have made an Act of Contrition. So either way, keep praying!

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

Here’s what Charity for the Suffering Souls by Fr. John Nageleisen (imprimatur 1895 with approbation from many prelates) says about having to be in the state of grace:

The state of grace is necessary to make good works profitable to the Suffering Souls … According to the unanimous doctrine of all theologians, the good works, to be effective, must be performed in the state of grace. … The Suffering Souls receive no benefit of a good work performed in the state of sin, when the value of this work requires it to be performed in the state of grace.

In Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma it says:

According to the manner and degree in which suffrages effect satisfaction one distinguishes: a) those which work ex opere operato; the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as the offering of Christ by Himself; b) those which work quasi ex opere operato; the suffrages performed in the name of the Church, for example, the Obsequies; c) those which work ex opere operantis; personal good works of the faithful, for example, alms-giving. A pre-condition for these last is a state of grace in the person performing the good work. The most efficacious of all suffrages is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

So you have to be in the state of grace for your private prayers for the Suffering Souls to have any effect. Also, you can’t receive any indulgences when you are not in the state of grace.

 

[persevere71]

I consider myself saying it Devoutly through out the day when I remember… I feel a little discouraged now ( but I won’t stop praying ) the following

The Prayer of St. Gertrude, below, is one of the most famous of the prayers for souls in purgatory. St. Gertrude the Great was a Benedictine nun and mystic who lived in the 13th century. According to tradition, our Lord promised her that 1000 souls would be released from purgatory each time it is said devoutly.

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.

 

[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.

†