Today we remember and celebrate those of our brothers and sisters who have gone before us, marked with the Sign of the Faith and who await entrance into heaven while in purgatory.
Yes, purgatory is real and a proof of God’s love for His creatures. We offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for these souls and pray for them with pity and vigor. Holy Writ tells us: “It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins!” Judas Maccabeus sent offerings to the temple in Jerusalem for the priests to offer sacrifice for his fallen soldiers.
Again, Our Blessed Lord said: “Verily I say unto you, you must pay to the last penny!” This makes it clear that it is possible for us to pay for the temporal punishment due our sins, while Our Saviour paid the eternal punishment upon the cross. We offer our own sufferings, united to the Cross of Christ for those in purgatory.
Again in scripture we read St. Paul, “…I make up in my flesh what is still lacking in Christ’s sufferings, for the sake of His Body, which is the Church.” All of these verses prove the ancient teaching of Holy Mother Church in regards to purgatory. Remember the Septuagint, the seven books in the bible thrown out by Martin Luther, because they mention purgatory.
Pray for the souls of your dearly departed and know that I pray for them at the altar of the Lord.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
