What would be happening if we didn't pray for souls in purgatory

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anhphan

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Won’t they be possible to get to heaven?
Thank you very much.
 
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Everyone in Purgatory is already saved and no matter how long they spend there they definitely get into Heaven.
 
It is a work of charity to pray for the souls in Purgatory. By doing so, we can shorten their time there. From what I’ve read concerning saints who have had visions of Purgatory, it is a very painful place so to pray for the souls there and shorten their time there would be a great comfort to them.
 
anhphan said:
Won’t they be possible to get to heaven?
Thank you very much.
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What I understand about the concept of purgatory, is that if you arrive there it is only because you need to get cleaned up to be perfected in order to enter Heaven. That being the case, you have been placed there by a loving God who is the sole determiner of what is necessary for you in purgatory to accomplish your perfection. Why do prayers for the deceased speed up the time there if a loving God is the only one who knows how much time you need?
 
In the strictest sense, no, but the souls in purgatory do not like being in purgatory!
St Padre Pio was called cruel for waiting a like a day to help a certain soul get out of purgatory.
 
Well I don’t know, but if I am lucky enough to get into purgatory, I am going to need all of you to pray for me so don’t forget!
 
Kei said:
In the strictest sense, no, but the souls in purgatory do not like being in purgatory!
St Padre Pio was called cruel for waiting a like a day to help a certain soul get out of purgatory.
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I guess I will expose my ignorance. How do we know the souls in purgatory do not enjoy being there? It seems to me that if I was placed in purgatory to clean up the thing that kept me from going to heaven, I would be excited to gain victory over that sin and with the knowledge I was going to heaven, get on with it willingly.
 
  1. It is said the flames of purgatory are lit with the flames of Hell!
  2. (more importantly perhaps) you are separated from the fullness of Heaven and the Beatific vision! That which you want most of all! But, it is so far…but so close! But so far…
 
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“Kei said:
  1. It is said the flames of purgatory are lit with the flames of Hell!
  2. (more importantly perhaps) you are separated from the fullness of Heaven and the Beatific vision! That which you want most of all! But, it is so far…but so close! But so far…
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Please don’t take it that I am meaning to be disrespectful but I have some questions. I have never be trained to believe there is a purgatory so I have no vision of what it may be. I have read of people having dreams or visions about the flames etc but am not sure how much stock to put into that. I have also read books about people who died , went into heaven and came back and while some or most are comforting/interesting, I am not sure how much stock to put in this either.

I guess I do not understand why if I am going to heaven, but first must go to purgatory to rid my soul of some vice, how flames of hell would rid me of my desires that I was not able to conquer in life. A more understandable purgatory for me would be to be subjected to my vice with the knowledge that my prayers, courage and determination to overcome my vice would allow my release. For example: if my constant weakness and besetting sin in life was sexual lust, then to be put to the test in purgatory with all the availability to me of that sexual temptation but when I reach the place where with prayer and self control am able to overcome and be victorious over it I would be released and granted entrance into heaven.
 
Please understand, we are speaking of a spiritual reality that is greater than our physcial one.

First off, what are the flames of Hell? This is a good question to begin wondering at it.

It is beyond what you could understand most likely.

Also, I wasn’t so “trained to believe” in purgatory so much as came across the writings about it.
 
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Kei said:
Please understand, we are speaking of a spiritual reality that is greater than our physcial one.

First off, what are the flames of Hell? This is a good question to begin wondering at it.

It is beyond what you could understand most likely.

Also, I wasn’t so “trained to believe” in purgatory so much as came across the writings about it.
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If I understand correctly, purgatory is not a required belief. Also the Church does not define if it is a place or a time? However, people are encouraged to pray for those in purgatory to shorten their time, also encouraged to give an offering for Mass for the repose of the soul of Joe Blow.
 
I am not sure if it is required, but it is certainly true. Many saints and valid apparitions of Our Lady have spoken on it, for instance Our Lady of Fatima.

We are to pray for the souls in purgatory to shorten their time spent in it.

It is not just for random Joes, it is for holy souls.
You can say a mass for it. Usually at funerals we say a rosary for the dead.
 
Kei said:
I am not sure if it is required, but it is certainly true. Many saints and valid apparitions of Our Lady have spoken on it, for instance Our Lady of Fatima.

We are to pray for the souls in purgatory to shorten their time spent in it.

It is not just for random Joes, it is for holy souls.
You can say a mass for it. Usually at funerals we say a rosary for the dead.
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Is it not a custom to go to a funeral and purchase a Mass card for the repose of the soul of the deceased?
 
Only God has the power to shift people’s position in the afterlife.

So ultimately nothing. They aren’t going anywhere until time served and sin purged. I can’t imagine prayer having much effect on the processing speed of a timeless deity.
 
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Kei said:
Well, I’d say it depends.
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Yeah I worded that like I was asking if it was a custom, that might vary by regions. A better way of asking would be to ask Q. A special Mass for the repose of the soul of the departed will be offered on behalf of those who purchase a Mass Offering Card.?
 
Oh, but God has willed it! Prayer can be very powerful, and it is not for no reason that we do such!
The prayer of the righteous most of all, are very powerful! The prayer of the unrighteous, logically would not be as powerful! Hence we ask the saints to pray for us!

God has willed it to where prayer helps those in Purgatory. You see, as prayer can help one in need on the earth, so too can prayer help one in need on the other side.
 
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Well, I haven’t personally asked for a mass for one who I know who has died, so I cannot say how that goes about.
 
Kei said:
Oh, but God has willed it! Prayer can be very powerful, and it is not for no reason that we do such!
The prayer of the righteous most of all, are very powerful! The prayer of the unrighteous, logically would not be as powerful! Hence we ask the saints to pray for us!

God has willed it to where prayer helps those in Purgatory. You see, as prayer can help one in need on the earth, so too can prayer help one in need on the other side.
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I am sorry if I am asking to many questions and now deviating a bit…but the opportunity presents itself…is that the reason Catholics ask the saints to pray for them? (Because they are more righteous and therefore their prayers are more powerful?)
 
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