How blessed are we when we willingly suffer for Poor Souls

“How blessed are we when we willingly suffer for Poor Souls”

Poor souls in Purgatory has been my most ardent attention in consideration of, praying for, and writing about.  Each time I read or consider the stories of how much suffering the souls in purgatory experience the urge to do more for their expiation never leaves me.  

There has always been a thrust of condemnation from disbelievers in the teaching of the Church on this Theology.  However, to the dismay of far too many, the teaching of the Church provides the faithful a path unbelievers should adhere to.  

The stories of saints and holy persons who have been confronted with souls’ requests for Masses and prayers to alleviate their suffering is not without the desire for us to assist in this endeavor as well.

Assuming that many who read this are believers in Purgatory and the need for our intercession by prayer is real and the time we spend for their souls will also refer back for our own possible time there.  

One of the particular sacrifices we can do is to offer our present pain in many different ways.  Most of us are not sadistic but accepting illness or pain can provide relief for suffering souls when directed willingly.  

Certainly we can not forcefully encourage others to not only suffer, but to ask for the intensity to increase helping a soul or souls to reach their release to the Glory of Paradise.  We do not know how their time is calculated since they are beyond time and space as we know it.  But be assured, existing in a emptiness without God’s presence coupled with any suffering can become a period of empty longing where they are not able to help themselves.

Many suffer tremendously with Neuropathy, as one of many illnesses, and have discovered it is a perfect malady in which to offer the discomfort which makes walking in a steady fashion an excellent way to offer it up.  Since the prognosis of this malady never gets better, and in fact continues to deteriorate the need to look further is not necessary.  Again, when we willingly accept any type of discomfort for souls who are not able to help themselves our sacrifice becomes an impregnable sacrifice that certainly speeds up expiation for one or more souls that suffer.

With Advent approaching, a season of hope, let us be aware that our sacrifices for poor souls brings hope to those who are incapable of securing their own release from purgatory.  We alone have the opportunity to do that for them.  

When reading books such as “Purgatory” by Fr. F. X. Schouppe, S. J. one may get a deeper understanding of this theological truth as found in the CCC #1030 - 32.  

Ralph B. Hathaway, Purgatory and the need for Expiation  2021