Are there souls in purgatory

The existence of purgatory is a defined truth of the Catholic faith. It is commonly believed that the principal suffering in purgatory is the pain of loss. The souls are temporarily deprived of the Beatific Vision. In order to understand why the Poor Souls are in purgatory, as Catholics we should know what we believe about the double effect of every sin. Mortal sins are called mortal because they deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace and the right to heaven.

Mortal sins also incur the debt of eternal punishment. When mortal sins are forgiven in the sacrament of penance, sanctifying grace is restored and the debt of eternal punishment is removed. But normally there is still temporal punishment to be expiated. This immediately tells us that because we are sinners we must expect to suffer in expiation for our sins. The choice we have is between patiently suffering here on earth or suffering in purgatory after our bodily death.

It must seem strange to speak of devotion to the Poor Souls. But it is not really strange. Devotion to the Poor Souls has two sides: our side and the side of the souls in purgatory. On their side, the Poor Souls are united with us in the one Kingdom of Christ. They can pray and obtain blessings for us here on earth.

We are therefore encouraged to invoke their aid, with a confidence of being heard by those who understand our needs. They know from their own experience what it means to carry the cross here on earth. On our side we are to do everything we can to help the Poor Souls in the Church Suffering. The sufferings in purgatory are not the same for all. Thomas Aquinas held that the least pain in purgatory is greater than the worst pain in this life. Bonaventure held that the worst suffering after death was greater than the worst suffering on earth, but the same could not be said regarding the least pain in purgatory.

In general, however, we should say that the pains of purgatory are greater than those on earth. From time to time later Pontiffs have decreed additional plenary indulgences, for example, pious acts associated with Divine Mercy Sunday and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. To gain a plenary indulgence it is necessary to perform the pious work or prayers to which the indulgence is attached and also to fulfill the following three conditions Sacramental Confession. Holy Communion.

It is also a requirement that all attachment to sin, even venial sin be absent. Failing to satisfy the above requirements will result in the indulgence being partial only.

With regard to partial indulgences these are granted to the faithful who In the performance of their duties and in bearing the trials of life, raise their mind with humble confidence to God, adding -- even if only mentally-- some pious invocation.

In a spirit of faith and mercy, give of themselves or of their goods to serve their brothers in need. In a spirit of penance, voluntarily deprive themselves of what is licit and pleasing to them. It is surprisingly not difficult for Catholics under the usual conditions to gain a plenary indulgence for example reciting the rosary 5 decades only in a church, public oratory or at home with the family will suffice.

A partial indulgence is gained by reciting the rosary privately. The reading of Sacred Scripture for half an hour grants one also a plenary indulgence. It is also worthy to remember that when we pray for the holy souls our prayers are not only capable of helping them, but also it makes their intercession for us effective CCC People would arrange for 30 Masses to be offered on 30 consecutive days without interruption except for Christmas, Easter and the Holy Week Triduum, for an individually named soul in purgatory with the belief that the specific soul would leave purgatory and enter the heavenly realm.

Justus who was previously a physician admitted to a friend that he had hidden three valuable coins with his medication when he was a professed monk many years before.

The monks founder St. Gregory the Great upon hearing of this sin against poverty ordered the Monastery Abbot to impose a penalty of solitary confinement on Justus even though he was terminally ill and that he should be buried not in the cemetery but in a rubbish dump.

The brothers were then given instructions to recite over his grave the words from St. A swift response was received: Justus repented and then died but the incident was not laid to rest.

Thirty days later Pope Gregory returned to the Monastery because he was very concerned that Justus would now be suffering the bleak temporal punishment of Purgatory for his sins. Some time later Justus appeared in a vision to the friend he had originally confided his sin to and revealed that he had received pardon and release form Purgatory because of the Masses said for him.

The monks calculated that it was exactly thirty days since the thirty Masses had begun and they shared this wonderful news with Pope Gregory. This tradition of offering thirty Masses continued for centuries and although not widely known or propagated today the practice is still prevalent as part of how the Catholic Church acknowledges the important role and benefits that praying for the dead incurs. The consecutive Masses can be said by any priest and a change of priest within the thirty days is also permitted.

One may find that in most parishes that it is difficult to arrange a timetable of thirty Masses however it may be the case that a retired priest could be sought who would offer the Masses privately. Alternatively the priests at a local monastery could be approached and may be willing to accept the request and by searching online there appears to be a number of religious orders who can offer the saying of thirty Gregorian Masses and it is also possible to pre - arrange the above Masses for ones own self in the future when ones earthly time has been fulfilled.

In the year St. Odilo, the fifth Abbot of Cluny in France established on November 2 nd what he called All Souls Day by urging his monks to pray for the dead. This Benedictine practice gradually spread from the Abbey of Cluny and this Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed is now celebrated throughout the universal Church on that same day each year. We can also pray privately for the departed and there are various associations that have a widespread membership across the globe.

Our Lady of Montligeon prayer groups are established across the world see appendix for the English Secretariat and in joining this spiritual fraternity a person is united with the Masses offered daily and to be a member is to make an act of faith in eternal life.

To pray for the dead and especially those Holy Souls who are forgotten is fulfilling an act of spiritual mercy and there are three elements that are essential in the Montligeon prayer groups: the Rosary, prayed wholly or in part, meditation private or group on a Bible text and shared prayer intentions.

Another worldwide fraternity is the Association of Holy Souls which originated with the Dominican Nuns of the Perpetual Rosary in Fatima , Portugal and is approved by the Cardinal Archbishop of Lisbon and may be familiar to those who have made a pilgrimage to Fatima. It is also possible to write the Carmelite Holy Souls Society and receive a collection of daily prayers and prayer cards for the Holy Souls which are available from the Friars in Faversham , Kent.

If your diocese or parish does not have a prayer group dedicated to praying for the Holy Souls why not consider starting one yourself. Some useful contact addresses are given in the appendix. Remember the words of St. Our Father …. Hail Mary …. Glory Be …. The Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy are all prayers that can be prayed at any time for the Holy Souls as we recall the words of St.

De Profundis Psalm Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord,. Lord hear my voice! O let your ears be attentive. If you, O Lord should mark our guilt,. Lord, who would survive?

But with you is found forgiveness:. My soul is waiting for the Lord,. I count on his word. My soul is longing for the Lord. Let the watchman count on daybreak. Because with the Lord there is mercy.

Israel indeed he will redeem. Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Prayer of Cardinal Newman. O most gentle heart of Jesus, ever present in the Blessed Sacrament, ever consumed with burning love for the poor captive souls in purgatory, have mercy on the souls of Your servants.

Bring them from the shadows of exile to Your bright home in heaven, where we trust You and Your Blessed Mother have woven for them a crown of unfolding bliss.

Prayer of St. Gertrude for the Holy Souls. Eternal Father, I offer you the Most Precious Blood of your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with all the Masses said throughout the world today for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Prayer for the Intercession of St. Nicholas of Tolentino. Nicholas, you were attentive to the pleas of many needy souls and through your prayers and penance you hastened their enjoyment of the vision of God.

Saint Nicholas of Tolentino pray for us. Jesus and Mary I love you, save souls Repeat 3 times. Prayer for the Deceased. Lord, God of holiness and light. You do not allow any shadow of darkness or evil in Your sight, and so in Your mercy You grant to those who have left this world burdened with sin, a time of purification, applying to them the spiritual treasurers of Your Holy Church.

Hear my prayer and through the merits of Christ, the Blessed Virgin, the saints, and all Your faithful people bring to an end this time of waiting for our beloved dead, especially …… In your providence you have chosen Saint Nicholas as a special intercessor on behalf of the departed. Hear also his fervent prayer for those whom I recommend to you through his intercession. Prayer to Our Lady of Montligeon. Intercede for those who have gone before us, that the purifying love of God may lead them to full deliverance.

May our prayer, united with the prayer of the whole Church, obtain for them a joy beyond all their desires and bring consolation and relief here on earth to our loved ones, in their sorrow and distress. Mother of the Church, help us, pilgrims on earth, to live better lives each day, on our journey towards the Resurrection. Heal the wounds of our hearts and souls.

Help us become witnesses of the Unseen God, seeking already the things that the eye cannot see. Make us apostles of hope, like watchmen awaiting the dawn. Our Lady of Montligeon, pray for our dear departed. Gemma Galgani the Flower of Lucca. She would regularly offer fervent prayers united with her own bodily sufferings for all of the souls in Purgatory and frequently offer prayers for a particular named soul. The Lord desires to bring all Holy Souls to Himself and would move His servant Gemma in different ways to atone for the sins of the souls.

In death her soul full of sorrow appeared to Gemma imploring help as she was undergoing anguish in Purgatory. She is a soul most dear to You.

Let me suffer much for her, I want her to be in heaven. Gemma then affirms in her own diary that dressed in white Mother Maria of the Infant Jesus visited her to thank her because eternal happiness was beckoning but asked for continued prayers. After sixteen days her soul was released. Gemma then describes how it seemed that the Blessed Mother herself came to tell that the hour was approaching. Then almost immediately how Mary Teresa dressed as a Passionist seemed to come towards her accompanied by her Guardian Angel and Jesus Himself.

And during the early hours of the morning well before dawn after a final farewell how Mary Teresa with Jesus and her Guardian Angel flew to heaven. One thing in life is for certain, death, which comes eventually to everyone. But the faithful are fortunate as we have been very well prepared for this part of the journey of faith, the journey home. The Sacrament of the Eucharist fortifies our earthly life and at the end of life the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick provides a solid rampart for the final struggles before entering the Fathers house in heaven.

And so as the final shadows lengthen, Viaticum, the Eucharist as Holy Communion is given. People sometimes still ask how can we know what happens after death, when no one has come back to tell us. Maria, what advice would you give to anyone who wants to become a saint here on earth?

Be very humble. We must not be occupied with ourselves. Pride is evil's greatest trap. Maria, please tell us: can one ask the Lord to do one's Purgatory on earth, in order not to have to do it after death? I knew a priest and a young woman who were both ill with tuberculosis in the hospital.

The young woman said to the priest: "Let's ask the Lord to be able to suffer on earth as much as necessary in order to go straight to Heaven. Nearby was a religious sister who had overheard the whole conversation. The young woman died first, the priest died later, and he appeared to the sister, saying: "If only I had had the same trust as the young woman, I too would have gone straight to Heaven.

Yes, there is a great difference of degree of moral suffering. Each soul has a unique suffering, particular to it; there are many degrees. Maria, are the sufferings in Purgatory more painful than the most painful sufferings on earth? Maria, you know, many people today believe in reincarnation.

What do the souls tell you concerning this subject? But some would say that just one life is not enough to know God and to have the time to be really converted, that it isn't fair.

What would you reply to them? All people have an interior Faith conscience ; even if they do not practice, they recognize God implicitly. Someone who does not believe — that doesn't exist! Each soul has a conscience to recognize good and evil, a conscience given by God, an inner knowledge — in different degrees, of course, but each one knows how to discern good from evil.

With this conscience, each soul can become blessed. What happens to people who have committed suicide? Have you ever been visited by these people? Up to now, I have never encountered the case of a suicide who was lost — this doesn't mean, of course, that that doesn't exist — but often, the souls tell me that the most guilty were those around them, when they were negligent or spread calumny.

At this moment, I asked Maria if the souls regretted having committed suicide. She answered yes. Often, suicide is due to illness. These souls do regret their act because, as they see things in the light of God, they understand instantly all the graces that were in store for them during the time remaining for them to live — and they do see this time which remained for them, sometimes months or years —— and they also see all the souls they could have helped by offering the rest of their lives to God.

In the end, what hurts them most is to see the good that they could have done but didn't, because they shortened their lives. But when the cause is illness, the Lord takes this into account, of course. Yes, there are many.

They didn't promote respect for the Eucharist. So Faith overall suffers. They are often in Purgatory for having neglected prayer — which has diminished their Faith. But there are also many who have gone straight to Heaven. What would you say, then, to a priest who really wants to live according to the Heart of God?

I would advise him to pray much to the Holy Spirit — and to say his Rosary every day. Have you been visited by souls who, on earth, practiced perversions? I am thinking, for example, about the sexual domain. Yes, they are not lost, but they have much to suffer to be purified.

For example: homosexuality. This truly comes from the Evil One. What advice would you give, then, to all those people afflicted by homosexuality, with this tendency in them?

Pray a lot for the strength to turn away from it. They should above all pray to the Archangel Michael; he is the great fighter par excellence against the Evil One. What are the attitudes of heart which can lead us to losing our soul for good, I mean going to Hell?

It is when the soul does not want to go towards God, when it actually says: "I do not want. Jesus said that it was difficult for a rich person to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Have you seen such cases? But if they do good works, works of charity, if they practice love, they can get there, just like the poor. What do you think of the practices of spiritism?

For example: calling up the spirits of the departed, Ouija-boards, etc.? It is not good. It is always evil. It is the devil who makes the table move.

What is the difference between what you are living with the souls of the departed, and the practices of spiritism? We are not supposed to summon up the souls — I don't try to get them to come. In spiritism, people try to call them forth.

This distinction is quite clear, and we must take it very seriously. If people were only to believe one thing I have said, I would like it to be this: those who engage in spiritism moving tables and other practices of that kind think that they are summoning up the souls of the dead.

People who practice spiritism diviners, witches, etc. They are up to their necks in lies. It is forbidden, strictly forbidden, to call up the dead. As for me, I have never done so, l do not do so, and I never will do so.

When something appears to me, God alone permits it. End of interview. Facebook YouTube. A journal of Catholic patriots for the Social Credit monetary reform. About Us What is Michael? Maria Simma Today, very little is taught in regular catechism classes about Purgatory, about the suffering that the Poor Souls experience in order to be completely purified to be able to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Emmanuel with Maria Simma Maria, can you tell us how you were visited for the first time by a soul in Purgatory?

And afterwards, the visits continued? Charity covers a multitude of sins Maria, why does one go to Purgatory? The Holy Mass M aria, can you now tell us what are the most effective means to help deliver the souls in Purgatory? The most efficient means is the Mass. W hy the Mass? Earthly sufferings There is another means, very powerful, to help the poor souls: the offering of our sufferings, our penances, such as fasting, renunciations, etc. Yes, but in a symbolic way.

It hurts more in the soul. The souls say that God gives only one life. A re there priests in Purgatory? Related Articles A Manuscript of a soul in Purgatory. Comments 3 carol 20 June at