A cry from the souls in Purgatory seek our prayers

A cry from the souls in Purgatory:

At any moment it can come to anyone who has accepted to pray for them on a regular basis.  There are many souls who have taken on the ministry of asking for expiation through many sacrifices for these souls in the Church Penitent.  Upon reading the obituaries I came upon a priest friend and as soon as I spotted his name there was a gnawing at my heart for his soul.

It wasn’t but a couple of weeks later that more than a few priests of our diocese also passed away.  They too are in need of prayers to expiate their sojourn in purgatory.  How would I know that all of them are there?  It would be a very rare individual who by-passes purgatory.  The question might be answered: who among us is so perfect that we will go immediately into ;God’s presence because of the holy life we have completed?  The fact is we all probably will end in purgatory as soon as we die because it is reserved as a total cleansing from any sign of faults that need to be purified.

The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.  The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the councils of Florence and Trent.  The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire.  (CCC 1031).  

Our Church places three states of the Church towards baptized Catholics.  The Church Penitent, those whom we believe are in Purgatory and cannot pray for themselves.  The Church Militant, those of us still on earth, and the Church Triumphant, those who are in heaven.  These two entities are in position to pray for the souls called Church Penitent for expiation of their purification.

Some may not think this is a matter of what Lent is all about, but to the contrary that is the most efficacious time to remember them more than at any other time.  Within its liturgies during these essential moments of Fasting, Alms-giving, and Praying our speaking out for the very souls who died in the State of Grace are dependent upon us who have yet to join them.  Beginning in this period of awaiting the Passion of Christ we must be willing to address the Communion of Saints fulfilling the Apostle’s Creed summarizing key beliefs in God the Father, Jesus Christ’s life and Resurrection, and the Holy Spirit.  Every time we pray the rosary the first prayer is the Apostle’s Creed.  

What can we do to assist on behalf of the Church Penitent?  Holy Mass is usually the first and most total manner for them.  Rosaries are the next and very common for everyone to reach a coalition of many prayers.  Then there are other directions that we may use to accomplish the same effect; for instance I use my writing as a type of prayer with their needs in mind, as well.  The important factor is us doing something that has their need of purging upper most in our mind.  Keeping the thought of our seeking prayers for our expiation while in purgatory will somehow make our prayers now have meaning.

Ralph B. Hathaway