Purgatory

  • Thread starter Thread starter Katiethemule
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
K

Katiethemule

Guest
Hello everyone,

From what I understand, purgatory is the process of becoming pure and blameless before we enter into Heaven. We have the privilege of being able to pray for the souls of the saints who are in this process and asking God to show them mercy. My question is this: how long after someone’s death is it alright to pray for their souls in purgatory? If I had a friend who had died ten years ago, could I still pray for their soul in purgatory? I realize God is outside of time, so is Heaven and purgatory. Since the Bible does not mention any specific length of this purification process, would the Catholic church oppose praying these prayers?

Thanks!

Katie.
 
Yes, you can-- and should-- continue to pray for deceased family members and friends. There is no “time limit”.

All Soul’s Day is a particularly appropriate time to remember long-deceased relatives in prayer.
 
No time limit. It’s better to pray for someone too long than to stop praying for them too early. 🙂

Prayers are never wasted. If the intended recipient is no longer in need of your intercession, I have no doubt that God will apply your prayers and good works on behalf of someone who isn’t so fortunate. 👍
 
God is outside of time. Our concept of “How long” to pray for someone doesn’t really apply.

The prayer you utter to God today rises up into God’s presence at the same “Time” as every other prayer which has ever been uttered or ever will be uttered. God sees them all as present to himself.

-Tim-
 
Just a few days ago I posted a thread on "INDULGENCES: which you may find interesting.
Indulgences can only be applied to oneself or the dead.

The “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” has more info on the exact teaching of the Church on Purgatory, Indulgences, etc.

Praying for the living and the dead is one of the ‘Spiritual Works of Mercy’.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top