“The more one longs for a thing, the more painful does deprivation of it become. And because after this life, the desire for God, the Supreme Good, is intense in the souls of the just (because this impetus toward Him is not hampered by the weight of the body, and that time of enjoyment of the Perfect Good would have come) had there been no obstacle; the soul suffers enormously from the delay.” – St. Thomas Aquinas
“I come to tell you that they suffer in Purgatory, that they weep, and that they demand with urgent cries the help of your prayers and your good works. I seem to hear them crying from the depths of those fires which devour them: ‘Tell our loved ones, tell our children, tell all our relatives how great the evils are which they are making us suffer. We throw ourselves at their feet to implore the help of their prayers. Ah! Tell them that since we have been separated from them, we have been here burning in the flames!’” – St. John Vianney
Biblical Basis of Purgatory
When I first learned about Purgatory, I realized it wasn’t some strange invention of the Church, but something deeply rooted in Scripture and tradition. The Bible may not use the exact word “Purgatory,” but its reality is clearly implied. For example, in 2 Maccabees 12:46, Judas Maccabeus prays for the dead so that they may be freed from their sins a powerful sign that our prayers can help those who have died but are not yet perfect. In 1 Corinthians 3:15, St. Paul also talks about how a person can be saved “as through fire,” which I’ve come to understand as the purification that happens before entering heaven. Even Jesus, in Matthew 12:32, speaks of sins that “will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come,” suggesting there is forgiveness after death for some.
The more I reflected on it, the more I saw that Purgatory simply makes sense. God is perfectly holy, and nothing unclean can enter His presence. Yet, most of us die still imperfectly purified, carrying small faults, attachments, or consequences of forgiven sins. Purgatory, then, isn’t a punishment it’s a mercy. It’s the loving process by which God finishes the work of grace in our souls, cleansing us completely so that we can experience the full joy of heaven. I like to think of it as God’s “final touch” on our souls, preparing us for eternal life with Him.
Because of this, I’ve learned how important it is to pray for the souls in Purgatory. Our prayers, Mass intentions, and sacrifices can truly help them, just as Judas Maccabeus’ prayers helped the fallen soldiers in Scripture. These souls can no longer pray for themselves, but they rely on the love and intercession of those still on earth. I often imagine that one day, when they finally reach heaven, they will remember the prayers we offered and intercede for us in return. It’s a beautiful exchange of love that unites heaven, earth, and the souls being purified a reminder that in Christ, even death cannot break the bonds of charity.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “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.” (CCC 1030)
“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.'” (CCC 1032)
“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. 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.” (CCC 1032)
Prayer to Jesus Christ for the Holy Souls by Saint Alphonsus Liguori
O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them. R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
(Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions)
Blessed Souls, we have prayed for thee; we entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for us miserable sinners, who are in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever.
Let us pray:
O God, the author of mercy, the lover of the salvation of mankind; we address thy clemency, in behalf of our brethren, relations, and benefactors, who are departed this life, that by the intercession of Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, and of all the saints, thou wouldst receive them into the enjoyment of eternal happiness; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
---------- For anyone who’d like to support this channel and help it grow, your prayers, subscription, benefaction, and encouragement means the world! youtube.com/channel/UCpHaceUHsHYTRk5Lgo5S99A/join
thisischavez
“The more one longs for a thing, the more painful does deprivation of it become. And because after this life, the desire for God, the Supreme Good, is intense in the souls of the just (because this impetus toward Him is not hampered by the weight of the body, and that time of enjoyment of the Perfect Good would have come) had there been no obstacle; the soul suffers enormously from the delay.”
– St. Thomas Aquinas
“I come to tell you that they suffer in Purgatory, that they weep, and that they demand with urgent cries the help of your prayers and your good works. I seem to hear them crying from the depths of those fires which devour them: ‘Tell our loved ones, tell our children, tell all our relatives how great the evils are which they are making us suffer. We throw ourselves at their feet to implore the help of their prayers. Ah! Tell them that since we have been separated from them, we have been here burning in the flames!’”
– St. John Vianney
Biblical Basis of Purgatory
When I first learned about Purgatory, I realized it wasn’t some strange invention of the Church, but something deeply rooted in Scripture and tradition. The Bible may not use the exact word “Purgatory,” but its reality is clearly implied. For example, in 2 Maccabees 12:46, Judas Maccabeus prays for the dead so that they may be freed from their sins a powerful sign that our prayers can help those who have died but are not yet perfect. In 1 Corinthians 3:15, St. Paul also talks about how a person can be saved “as through fire,” which I’ve come to understand as the purification that happens before entering heaven. Even Jesus, in Matthew 12:32, speaks of sins that “will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come,” suggesting there is forgiveness after death for some.
The more I reflected on it, the more I saw that Purgatory simply makes sense. God is perfectly holy, and nothing unclean can enter His presence. Yet, most of us die still imperfectly purified, carrying small faults, attachments, or consequences of forgiven sins. Purgatory, then, isn’t a punishment it’s a mercy. It’s the loving process by which God finishes the work of grace in our souls, cleansing us completely so that we can experience the full joy of heaven. I like to think of it as God’s “final touch” on our souls, preparing us for eternal life with Him.
Because of this, I’ve learned how important it is to pray for the souls in Purgatory. Our prayers, Mass intentions, and sacrifices can truly help them, just as Judas Maccabeus’ prayers helped the fallen soldiers in Scripture. These souls can no longer pray for themselves, but they rely on the love and intercession of those still on earth. I often imagine that one day, when they finally reach heaven, they will remember the prayers we offered and intercede for us in return. It’s a beautiful exchange of love that unites heaven, earth, and the souls being purified a reminder that in Christ, even death cannot break the bonds of charity.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:
“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.” (CCC 1030)
“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.'” (CCC 1032)
“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. 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.” (CCC 1032)
Prayer to Jesus Christ for the Holy Souls by Saint Alphonsus Liguori
O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these Blessed Souls. Have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy Blessed Soul, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, O Lord.
(Recommend yourself to the Souls in Purgatory and mention your intentions)
Blessed Souls, we have prayed for thee;
we entreat thee, who are so dear to God,
and who are secure of never losing Him,
to pray for us miserable sinners,
who are in danger of being damned,
and of losing God forever.
Let us pray:
O God, the author of mercy,
the lover of the salvation of mankind;
we address thy clemency, in behalf of our brethren, relations, and benefactors,
who are departed this life, that by the intercession of Blessed Mary,
ever Virgin, and of all the saints,
thou wouldst receive them into the enjoyment
of eternal happiness; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
----------
For anyone who’d like to support this channel and help it grow, your prayers, subscription, benefaction, and encouragement means the world!
youtube.com/channel/UCpHaceUHsHYTRk5Lgo5S99A/join
#thisischavez #prayerschangethings
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 14