Suicide, Purgatory, and Intercessory Prayer

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ialsop

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Odd question here.

A classmate of mine(for 11 years) committed suicide in July. I have prayed for her soul a lot since, as I knew she was in a tough spot. I hadn’t talked to her in awhile and didn’t feel close to her at all. However, I prayed for her. Wanted to see her again, you know?

Here is my question. Would it be wrong to ask her to pray for the living? I have read from various saints that the souls in Purgatory can pray for us. Would it be presuming too much to ask her intercession…?

Thanks,
Isaac
 
I would pray for her, but I wouldn’t ask for her prayers. I would ask prayers from the saints and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
 
Good job praying for your friend!

It is completely customary for Catholics to ask for the prayers of one’s dead friends and family probably in Purgatory, or of those souls in Purgatory with no one to pray for them (the “Poor Souls”). That is something they are happy to do. It helps them purge off the temporal effects of sin on their souls. The Poor Souls especially are a great prayer team!

Exchanging prayers for each other is an important part of being the Body of Christ and believing in the communion of saints. The Church is one, not separated by death.

Of course, if one of your dead is in Hell instead of Heaven or Purgatory, he will never know about your request. But the saints and Poor Souls will know through Christ, and they will take up the slack. So you cannot lose by it.
 
Joining you in prayer for the repose of the soul of your classmate …
 
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