Always Pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
We cannot overlook the reality of Purgatory. Alongside the clear evidence found in Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church, countless saints have been granted revelations and visions of this state, or have received visits from souls in Purgatory. Among them are Saint Faustina, Saint Padre Pio, Saint Gertrude, Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Bridget of Sweden, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Malachy, Saint Vincent Ferrer, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Maria Simma, and many others.
Perhaps the most striking testimony comes from the words of Our Lady of Fatima to the shepherd children. When Lucia asked about a friend who had passed away, the Blessed Virgin gave an astonishing reply:
“She will remain in Purgatory until the end of the world.”
The Catholic Church describes Purgatory as a “purification necessary to achieve the holiness required to enter the joy of heaven.” It is designated for those who “die in God’s grace and friendship, but are still not fully purified.” Unlike the eternal punishment faced by the damned, the purification in Purgatory is temporary and aims at salvation. It is not a final punishment but a vital opportunity to attain perfection and unite with God.
The doctrine of Purgatory finds its foundation in Scripture, with references in texts such as 2 Maccabees 12:43–46, Matthew 12:32, Luke 12:58–59, and 1 Corinthians 3:12–13. The Scriptures affirm that nothing impure will enter the presence of God (Revelation 21:27), underscoring the necessity of this purification. Even if mortal sins are forgiven during life, impurities may linger in the soul—venial sins, or the need to atone for the temporal consequences of forgiven sins.
One aspect of suffering in Purgatory is the “pain of absence,” the temporary deprivation of the beatific vision of God. Though painful, it cannot be compared to the torment of those condemned to hell. The hope of one day seeing God provides comfort to the souls in Purgatory.
The Church emphasises the importance of our prayers and actions on behalf of these souls. Lacking the ability to earn merits for themselves, they rely on the supplications of the faithful on Earth to facilitate their purification. This collaboration between the Church Militant (the living) and the Church Suffering (the souls in Purgatory) is an essential element of the Communion of Saints, highlighting the spiritual bond uniting all members of the Body of Christ.
Maria Simma, an Austrian mystic gifted with the ability to see and communicate with souls in Purgatory, offers a vivid metaphor for this experience:
Imagine a door opens, and an extraordinarily beautiful Being appears—of a beauty never seen on earth. You are mesmerised and overwhelmed by this Being of light and love. Yet at that moment, you realise you are unclean, unprepared, unworthy. The pain of absence, even if brief, is unbearable. This is the Flame of love in Purgatory—a longing for God that purifies the soul. It is the soul’s desire to be cleansed before entering Paradise, perfectly united with God and in love for the living still on Earth.
Catholic tradition encourages prayers, sacrifices, and the offering of the Holy Mass for the souls in Purgatory. Every prayer, act of mortification, or offering of the Mass, rightly performed in a state of grace and intended for a specific purpose, becomes efficacious for the Holy Souls. The Mass holds unique value, surpassing other prayers, as it embodies the Holy Sacrifice of Christ and unites the faithful on Earth with the heavenly realm. This communal aspect enhances the effectiveness of prayers, which is why the Church promotes Masses of suffrage for the deceased.
Various practices also grant indulgences for the souls in Purgatory, such as reciting the Rosary, adoring the Blessed Sacrament, reading Scripture, participating in the Stations of the Cross, or praying the Te Deum or Veni Creator at special times. Partial indulgences may be obtained through acts of faith, contrition, or prayers like Anima Christi or the Eternal Rest.
While we remember and pray for loved ones who have gone to the Father’s house, it is a profound and necessary act of charity to pray for souls in Purgatory who have no one to intercede for them, including possibly souls from past generations of our own family. Through our prayers and the Holy Mass, we are spiritually united with them, renewing our assurance that life extends beyond this world.
Our prayers for the departed not only aid them but can also bring their intercession for us. Those in Heaven or in Purgatory intercede for the living, helping us to receive the grace to be faithful to God and attain eternal life.
Let us remember to pray with trust to the souls in Purgatory, to Our Lady, the saints, and our guardian angel, seeking their assistance in our daily lives and for the grace to reach eternal life.
“Remember the souls in Purgatory; tomorrow it could be you!”
