November Is Dedicated To The Holy Souls in Purgatory: What Is Purgatory?

NOVEMBER IS THE MONTH DEDICATED TO THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY, BUT WE CAN PRAY FOR THEM ANYTIME!

Click the link below to watch a video that explains what Purgatory is and why it exists. 

    ***CLICK HERE TO WATCH*** WHY PURGATORY MUST EXIST: EXPLAINING THE FAITH with Fr. Chris Alar.  

Note: I enjoyed this video very much, however, I would add something I don’t recall Fr. Alar mentioning in his talk. The Holy Souls, in all of their suffering, are happier than any souls on earth could be, because it is they that know for certain that they have been saved eternally and are merely undergoing their final purification. I know this of my personal time studying the lives of the saints and the souls in purgatory. 

What is Purgatory? 

The Catechism teaches us that “Purgatory is a state in which those suffer for a time who die guilty of venial sins, or without having satisfied for the punishment due to their sins.” (Baltimore Catechism #4 p.322, Pub. Baronius Press.)

Can the faithful on earth help the souls in Purgatory? 

“The faithful on earth can help the souls in Purgatory by their prayer, fasts and alms-deeds; by indulgences, and by having Masses said for them.” (Baltimore Catechism #4 p.323 Pub. Baronius Press.) 

You may be asking why prayers for the dead and good deeds for their sake are of use since they are no longer in this world. Well, let’s review for a moment the Communion of Saints. 

According to Catholic Dogma, “The members of the Kingdom of God on earth and in the other world sanctified by the redeeming grace of Christ, are united in a common supernatural life with the Head of the Church and with one another.” (Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma by Ludwig Ott p.336) This is the dogma expressed in the Apostles Creed. 

CATHOLIC DOCTRINE- The Communion of Saints is the spiritual solidarity which binds together the faithful on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the saints in Heaven in the organic unity of the same mystical body under Christ its head, and in a constant interchange of supernatural offices. The participants in that solidarity are called saints by reason of their destination and of their partaking of the fruits of the Redemption. (Catholic Answers: Catholic.com/encyclopedia/Communion-of-Saints). 

***CLICK HERE*** TO LEARN ABOUT THE PURGATORIAN ARCHCONFRATERNITY WITH USE OF A PRIVILEGED ALTAR AND IN FULL COMMUNION WITH THE CHURCH