It says in your bulletin: Probably most people we know who have died are in Purgatory
I was always taught to believe that the more you pray for the souls in Purgatory, the sooner they will go to heaven. I even remember seeing religious pictures when I was little showing souls being raised from the flames of a big fire, thanks to our prayers. We don’t see Purgatory as fire anymore, but what you are saying to the children is that no matter how much they pray, the souls will remain in Purgatory. What is the good of that? Personally, I think it’s enough to discourage a child (or adult) to pray for their loved ones.
I think you may be reading too much into things. We can’t know for certain who’s in Heaven, Purgatory, or Hell. As such we continue to pray for the souls in purgatory, even if we’ve Masses said for them, tried to gain plenary indulgences,etc. I can’t remember the last Catholic funeral I’ve been to that wasn’t a canonization of the deceased, and that includes friends who committed suicide!
Bulletin dated November 2nd – All Souls’ Day
It says in your bulletin: Probably most people we know who have died are in Purgatory
I was always taught to believe that the more you pray for the souls in Purgatory, the sooner they will go to heaven. I even remember seeing religious pictures when I was little showing souls being raised from the flames of a big fire, thanks to our prayers. We don’t see Purgatory as fire anymore, but what you are saying to the children is that no matter how much they pray, the souls will remain in Purgatory. What is the good of that? Personally, I think it’s enough to discourage a child (or adult) to pray for their loved ones.
Estelle,
I think you may be reading too much into things. We can’t know for certain who’s in Heaven, Purgatory, or Hell. As such we continue to pray for the souls in purgatory, even if we’ve Masses said for them, tried to gain plenary indulgences,etc. I can’t remember the last Catholic funeral I’ve been to that wasn’t a canonization of the deceased, and that includes friends who committed suicide!