Save a soul from hell/purgatory?

[caramelle]

My friend told me that if you go to Mass for 90 days and offer each one of them for someone’s soul (living or dead), that you’ll save his/her soul from hell. Is there any truth to this? I tried looking for information, but couldn’t find any… Hopefully someone will know more than me

Thanks in advance! God bless you.

 

[JaredR]

I don’t know about someone who is living, but if they are dead and in hell, it is too late for them to be saved unfortunately.

 

[aspirant]

that you’ll save his/her soul from hell.

Nothing you do can remove another person from hell, because it is their choice to be in hell.

 

[Shin]

My friend told me that if you go to Mass for 90 days and offer each one of them for someone’s soul (living or dead), that you’ll save his/her soul from hell. Is there any truth to this? I tried looking for information, but couldn’t find any… Hopefully someone will know more than me

Thanks in advance! God bless you.

In regards to Hell – Living, maybe, dead, too late.
In regards to purgatory, maybe.

 

[Trishie]

1. What is purgatory?

Purgatory is the state of those who die in God’s friendship, assured of their eternal salvation, but who still have need of purification to enter into the happiness of heaven.

1. How can we help the souls being purified in purgatory?
   Because of the communion of saints, the faithful who are still pilgrims on earth are able to help the souls in purgatory by offering prayers in suffrage for them, especially the Eucharistic sacrifice. They also help them by almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance.

Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

 

[Trishie]

Your friend’s claim can’t be substantiated in the official teaching of the Church, but the Masses offered for others’ salvation while they remain alive on earth,
and for the relief of the souls in purgatory are valuable, and God will grant the graces as He will

from the Catechism of the Catholic Church

III. THE FINAL PURIFICATION, OR PURGATORY

1030 All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.[604] The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:[605] As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.[606]

1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: “Therefore Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.”[607] From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.[608] The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead: Let us help and commemorate them. If Job’s sons were purified by their father’s sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.[609]

christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/art12.html

 

[Heavens_Flowers]

Unfortunately when someone dies we don’t know where they went ie heaven,purgatory, or hell, except for a few exceptions when saints have died and miracles were performed. But for most lay persons we do not know for sure, and yes you can do something for them. I haven’t heard what your friend told you but you can speak to your parish office about doing a mass intention for your loved one for the repose of there soul, also there are prayers you can say go to the social forum here called let us empty Purgatory. There are great powerful prayers there and that forum explains it much more eloquently than I ever could. You can get to that page through my member page if your looking for a shortcut, and God bless! Also keep in mind you can light votive candles at church for a deceased loved ones. Once you die you can no longer help yourself, that’s why we need to pray for the sins of sinners so that they too can enjoy heaven, and when you release a soul into heaven that soul, prays for you until the day you meet in heaven. Great question! Hope this helps.

 

[caramelle]

Thanks for all the answers

I read most of those passages already, but the answer I was looking for was the 90 days thing. Has anyone heard of it?

And if you are praying for someone’s (living) soul (gaining indulgence for him/her), is there a prescribed number of days you can go to Mass in order to save his/her soul from hell when he/she dies?

 

[InLight247]

Thanks for all the answers

And if you are praying for someone’s (living) soul (gaining indulgence for him/her), is there a prescribed number of days you can go to Mass in order to save his/her soul from hell when he/she dies?

As far as I know, indulgence can only be gained for self or deceased people, not for any other living person.

And I have never heard of the 90-day thing you are talking about.

 

[Catholic1954]

Thanks for all the answers

I read most of those passages already, but the answer I was looking for was the 90 days thing. Has anyone heard of it?

And if you are praying for someone’s (living) soul (gaining indulgence for him/her), is there a prescribed number of days you can go to Mass in order to save his/her soul from hell when he/she dies?

I have heard of a devotion called The Two Divine Promises, but it was 30 days and not 90. Sorry I don’t know much more about it. Remember we have free will, going or not going to hell is ONLY our choice, prayers can help of course, but no one can give you a no fail prayer or formula that will prevent anyone from going to hell, if that is his choice.

 

[aspirant]

Remember we have free will, going or not going to hell is ONLY our choice, prayers can help of course, but no one can give you a no fail prayer or formula that will prevent anyone from going to hell, if that is his choice.

Yup. We can try to prevent people choosing that, e.g. by persuasion, love, prayers, but it remains their choice.

 

[caramelle]

Thank you so much for the feedback!

The devotion with the “Two Divine Promises” hit jackpot I think. I’m going to research more about it. Thank you again and God bless you all