Question regarding the death of a loved one

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Hello to everyone! First of all, I’m not sure if I put this in the right place or not, so forgive me if I didn’t!
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 About a month ago, my mother passed away. She was a very conservative Catholic convert. Before she died, she recieved the Last Rites. Now my question is:
Since she recieved the Last Rites, that means she’s in heaven (please correct me if I’m wrong about what Last Rites do for us), does that mean it is okay to pray to her, as I would St. Therese of Liseuix (i.e. Asking her to pray for me and my family).
I have thought about doing this ever since she has been gone, but wasn’t sure if it was violating any of the Catholic doctrines.
Thanks very much, Christina
 
Actually, you can do both. You should continue to pray for her, since only God knows whether or not she continues to need your prayers. In any case, they won’t be wasted.

You may feel strongly that she is already in Heaven, and so it is also OK to pray *to * her and ask her to pray for you and your intentions. If she is united with God, there is no doubt that such prayers would be effective. Even if she is in purgatory, she can pray for you, but she also would need your prayers for her.
 
Your praying to your mom would be a private devotion, and as such you are well within your Catholic rights to pray that she intercede for you, especially if you believe she is in heaven where she’s in much closer union with Christ than we are.

As for whether or not Last Rites guarentees that she’s in Heaven or not, I don’t know the answer to that. It does prepare us for union with God and strengthens us, but I didn’t see in reading the CCC that it guarantees entry to Heaven. But we can wait in joyful hope.

CARose
 
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Firebug:
Hello to everyone! First of all, I’m not sure if I put this in the right place or not, so forgive me if I didn’t!

About a month ago, my mother passed away. She was a very conservative Catholic convert. Before she died, she recieved the Last Rites. Now my question is:
Since she recieved the Last Rites, that means she’s in heaven (please correct me if I’m wrong about what Last Rites do for us), does that mean it is okay to pray to her, as I would St. Therese of Liseuix (i.e. Asking her to pray for me and my family).
I have thought about doing this ever since she has been gone, but wasn’t sure if it was violating any of the Catholic doctrines.
Thanks very much, Christina
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Dear Christina

I am so very sorry for the loss of your mother. My sincere condolences to you and all of your family.

You can, without reserve, talk to your mother who having received the Last Rites/ Extreme Unction/Anointing of the Sick and knowing her as you do, believe she is now in heaven.

God Bless you and all of your family remain in my prayers

Teresa
 
Thank you so much! 😃
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JimG:
Actually, you can do both. You should continue to pray for her, since only God knows whether or not she continues to need your prayers. In any case, they won’t be wasted.

You may feel strongly that she is already in Heaven, and so it is also OK to pray *to * her and ask her to pray for you and your intentions. If she is united with God, there is no doubt that such prayers would be effective. Even if she is in purgatory, she can pray for you, but she also would need your prayers for her.
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I had forgottent that part, I have, and will always continue to pray for her. Thank you.
 
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