Do Not Assume That Someone Is Already in Heaven

DO NOT ASSUME THAT SOMEONE IS ALREADY IN HEAVEN

St. Vincent Ferrer recounted a narrative about an archdeacon from Lyons who renounced his position to live a life of penance in the desert. He died on the same day and hour as Saint Bernard.

After his death, the archdeacon appeared to his bishop and revealed, "Know, Monsignor, that at the very hour I passed away, thirty-three thousand people also died. Out of this number, St. Bernard and myself went up to heaven without delay, three went to purgatory, and all the others fell into Hell."

This account underscores the gravity of salvation and the importance of living a life of virtue. It serves as a poignant reminder of the narrow path to heaven and the multitude who may be lost due to a lack of repentance and penance.

Source: Catholic Tradition and Evangelization

Reading something like this can make us despair about our loved ones who have died. All hope is not lost. One thing to remember, is that at the moment when our loved one is dying and is about to appear before the judgment seat of Christ, they will have the benefit and aid of our past present and future prayers for them. They are in the process of stepping out of time as we know it, and so all is present to them at that time; even the prayers and sacrifices that we offer for them long after their death. This means that if they are in danger of hell, they could receive in that final moment, the grace to repent and turn to God or if they are going straight to heaven, then we can help to increase the glory that they experience in heaven. If they are headed for purgatory, we can help to shorten their time there. No prayer or sacrifice is ever wasted. Salvation is a narrow road, but God has given us the grace to help each other in the Church. This is the Communion of Saints, and we must never forget it.