Purgatorial Society

[The_Reginator]

I just came across this again. I had never heard of a “Purgatorial Society” until I saw this mentioned by Scott P. Richert a few years ago.

I’ll have to have another look at it when I’m awake.

From Join the About.com Catholicism Purgatorial Society

You may be unfamiliar with the concept of a purgatorial society, because they’re not that common today. (For some background on purgatorial societies, see What Is a Purgatorial Society?) Simply put, they are associations of Catholic laypeople, religious, and/or priests who work together to assist the poor souls in Purgatory.

 

[IronMIke]

I believe this has roots in the Jewish faith…maybe wrong?

 

[centurionguard]

I just came across this again. I had never heard of a “Purgatorial Society” until I saw this mentioned by Scott P. Richert a few years ago.

I’ll have to have another look at it when I’m awake.

From Join the About.com Catholicism Purgatorial Society

My only question is if this Catholicism Purgatorial Society Association is officially approved by the Catholic Church? If it is approved what’s it doing on a secular advertising multi-topic site. There doesn’t seem to be an official outside weblink.

Fraternally in Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[The_Reginator]

My only question is if this Catholicism Purgatorial Society Association is officially approved by the Catholic Church? If it is approved what’s it doing on a secular advertising multi-topic site. There doesn’t seem to be an official outside weblink.

Fraternally in Christ Jesus
Chris

My impression is not that it is ‘officially approved’ but that this Purgatorial Society is the attempt by one man, Mr. Richert, to have a ‘society’ online to pray for the holy souls in purgatory.

I have been following his writings on ‘about.com’ for a number of years, and although it is a secular advertising multi-topic site, he is very orthodox in his thinking and life and does his best, within the confines of this space on the internet, to promote the Catholic faith and sincere adherence to the teachings of the Church.

 

[Ohana]

Well, I have heard of the Purgatorial Society. There was a group in my church when I was young. It seems to me that they went to communion in a body upon occasion - I am not sure how often. Frankly, I have not heard much about them since the late 50’s. I assume their purpose was to pray for the “poor souls in Purgatory”. It was definitely Catholic. Not sure what it is doing on about.com??? I will try to look this up.

 

[Ohana]

You may be unfamiliar with the concept of a purgatorial society, because they’re not that common today. Simply put, they are associations of Catholic laypeople, religious, and/or priests who work together to assist the poor souls in Purgatory.

In recent years, some parishes have begun to revive purgatorial societies, usually in the form of a series of Masses offered during the month of November. But purgatorial societies don’t need to be based around a parish; thus the idea for the About.com Catholicism Purgatorial Society.

I found the above in Catholic Answers, November, 2010.