I guess the first question is if there is bread and wine in purgatory.
In heaven we do what every saint does. I don’t think there’s priests anymore because there is no need for sacrifice in heaven. I think Revelations paints a good picture what the saints do in heaven, and all of those who will be there will be doing the same thing.
Yes, but no Eucharist, no Mass.
I do believe the primary pains of purgatory are the pains of separation from God so it would seem that they could not offer mass in purgatory. I was responding to the question of whether there still would be priests in heaven.
I seem to remember that the entire concept of the Communion of Saints is that we pray for each other. Each of the “Churches” has a role in prayer…
Those in heaven and on earth can pray. Those in purgatory are in a transitional phase where they cannot pray. I mean if they can pray for each other, its not a great necessity for us to pray for them then. I mean, its a worthy act still, but not necessary for their salvation. But of course that is not what we are taught, is it?
It would seem to me that not only can they pray in Purgatory, but that they do it a lot. Mayne even unceasingly. I mean lets get real here. Lets assume that I am in a place, where I am suffering for the sins of my life and I am not able to pray That doesn’t make a lot of sense. Unless we are looking at it from the standpoint of oh well, I’m in Purgatory, so I just have to wait it out cause I know I’m going to get to Heaven one day.
So you believe that the Church teaches that those in Purgatory are capable of being damned?
Before I answer this, tell me so that we’re on the same page here, what is the purpose for prayers for the dead? And what happens to them if we do not pray for them?
Can you point me to a teaching that says those in purgatory pray for themselves and others in the same state?It would seem to me that not only can they pray in Purgatory, but that they do it a lot. Mayne even unceasingly. I mean lets get real here. Lets assume that I am in a place, where I am suffering for the sins of my life and I am not able to pray That doesn’t make a lot of sense. Unless we are looking at it from the standpoint of oh well, I’m in Purgatory, so I just have to wait it out cause I know I’m going to get to Heaven one day.
As far as Priests offering the sacrifice there I don’t see why not. The entire concept of Purgatory is purification and what better way to achieve purification than to serve and assist at Mass?
Well, it is implied rather than directly taught, but it holds logically. The only souls so separated from God that their ability to pray is affected are those who have unreported mortal sin on their souls. All earthly souls, even those in mortal sin, are required on pain of mortal sin to pray the Mass, so it appears that no one while alive completely loses the ability to pray, or is excused from the obligation to pray.
Its dangerous to assume, therefore something implied is not a legit teaching. The thing about purgatory is it is a transitional phase. We can’t compare it to what we are doing on earth because if we’re going to get to that discussion then we have to compare everything on earth and in purgatory (what we know about it). Like we know its a process of cleansing, but on earth we are not under constant process of cleansing. That alone is a stark difference, so you cannot say that just because we can do something on earth, then we can do it in purgatory. Also, being on earth is our natural state, God created us body and soul. In purgatory its just our soul, so our being is not complete. In heaven prior to the resurrection, the souls are in the presence of God which makes up for the lack of physical bodies, thus being able to do certain things that shouldn’t be prior to the general resurrection.Well, it is implied rather than directly taught, but it holds logically. The only souls so separated from God that their ability to pray is affected are those who have unreported mortal sin on their souls. All earthly souls, even those in mortal sin, are required on pain of mortal sin to pray the Mass, so it appears that no one while alive completely loses the ability to pray, or is excused from the obligation to pray.
Thinking about the souls in Purgatory, it is true that they are not perfect, but then neither are you or I and we are certainly both able and obliged to pray. And the souls in purgatory ARE in a state of grace, meaning free from the mortal sins that affect our ability to pray. So it doesn’t stand to reason that they would by reason of their venial sins be unable or unobligated to pray.
I think their proximity to Christ the High Priest might make their offering the Mass redundant though, as it would have been for the Apostles to do so at the Last Supper.