Why dedicate a Mass for the deceased?

[Immensus]

I recently dedicated a Mass for my mom’s parents, both of whom have been deceased for many years now. The Mass dedication was one of a long list that others in the parish contributed to for their loved ones as well, and I did not take communion because I am not yet confirmed.

My grandparents both died after leaving the Catholic faith and I don’t want to face what that means. I guess my reason is that I thought of the possibility of them being in purgatory and I was trying to get them out.

What are reasons that people commonly dedicate Masses for the deceased?

 

[ClearWater]

I recently dedicated a Mass for my mom’s parents, both of whom have been deceased for many years now. The Mass dedication was one of a long list that others in the parish contributed to for their loved ones as well, and I did not take communion because I am not yet confirmed.

My grandparents both died after leaving the Catholic faith and I don’t want to face what that means. I guess my reason is that I thought of the possibility of them being in purgatory and I was trying to get them out.

What are reasons that people commonly dedicate Masses for the deceased?

Masses can help souls in purgatory.

 

[pianistclare]

Once we die, we can no longer do anything to advance our holiness…think of it like sand in the hourglass. When your time is up, it’s up. However, WE can pray that the souls in purgatory be released to heavenly glory soon, and we can also ask our loved ones in heaven to intercede for us, as everyone in heaven is saint. The Holy Souls in purgatory can pray for us as well. I knew a Sister of Charity who never failed to remember the Holy Souls in Purgatory at the conclusion of her prayers. She prayed so hard for them, we reckoned she must have had a quick pass through the gates of heaven…so many must have been indebted to her loving prayers.
That’s so wonderful that you had a Mass offered for your relatives. God bless you.

 

[Elizium23]

Why did you not receive Holy Communion? It is common and acceptable and right for those without Confirmation to receive the Eucharist. If you are a revert then the only thing necessary for you to return to the Church is a sincere Confession covering your life back to the last good Confession you made. You will do well to seek Adult Confirmation classes and complete your initiation, but lack thereof is not a valid obstacle to your reception of the Eucharist.

 

[Dempsey1919]

It greatly helps to deliver souls from purgatory.

 

[Immensus]

Why did you not receive Holy Communion? It is common and acceptable and right for those without Confirmation to receive the Eucharist. If you are a revert then the only thing necessary for you to return to the Church is a sincere Confession covering your life back to the last good Confession you made. You will do well to seek Adult Confirmation classes and complete your initiation, but lack thereof is not a valid obstacle to your reception of the Eucharist.

I did not know this, thanks. For one thing, I have no documentation of my baptism and have not been able to find any. I will be conditionally baptized in a few days. For another, I was not in a state of grace.