Hey there,
As Catholics we share a common goal to go to heaven.
And we understand that when our time on Earth is finished, we likely will spend time in an interim transition called purgatory before we enter heaven.
This is a good time to look at purgatory because November is four days away. It’s the month the Catholic Church dedicates to the Holy Souls in Purgatory. We will celebrate All Saints’ Day on November 1st and All Souls’ Day on November 2nd.
And we will pray for the Holy Souls in purgatory all month. Because we know that is our role in the Church.
But if you’re like me, you may not have ever really dug deep into understanding too much about purgatory.
So this week’s issue of Genuflect takes a fresh look at purgatory. We cover what purgatory is like, some long-held myths about it, how long it lasts, how long we should pray for our dearly departed, the meaning of “repose of the soul,” how we can avoid purgatory and go straight to heaven, whether the Holy Souls can pray for us … or visit us, and how God purifies us while we’re still alive.
We also look at extensions the Holy See has made to the Indulgences for November and we take a look back at earlier Genuflect resources on praying for the Holy Souls in purgatory.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
P. S. We are now just 6 days away from the 2020 US election. I encourage you to exercise your right to vote. And if you are still undecided, check out How Catholics Should Vote (Without Losing Your Seat in Heaven).
P. P. S. For the latest Catholic news, be sure to check out Genuflect Daily. We hand pick the top Catholic news you care about. Subscribe to the site and submit stories you find on the internet … and upvote all your favorites.
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genuflect: resources
4 Points on Purgatory
Odds are pretty good we’ll end up in purgatory … at least for a little while. Some of us longer than others 😀 Here is a look at 4 points on what we’re in for.
In Praise of Purgatory: 4 Points to Ponder About Your Hour of Death | Aleteia
5 Myths About Purgatory
You probably have a good understanding that purgatory is the period of purification before you go to heaven. But, make sure you don’t believe any of these popular myths.
5 Myths About Purgatory That Too Many People Still Believe (Maybe Even You!) | ChurchPOP
How Long is Purgatory?
The good news is you’re headed to heaven. The bad news is you probably have to spend some time in purgatory first. But how long will purgatory last? Philip Kosloski addresses this important question.
How Long Does Purgatory Last? | Aleteia
How Long to Pray?
When a loved one passes away we say a Rosary and pray for the repose of their soul in a funeral Mass. We also continue to pray for our loved one to go to heaven. But how long should we pray for our deceased loved one? When can we start praying for his intercession? Lindsey Kettner has a smart solution.
When Can we Stop Praying For a Deceased Person? | Relevant Radio
Repose of The Soul Explained
“Repose of the soul” is a term we hear in Mass. We pray for the repose of the soul of the faithful departed. But have you ever wondered exactly what it means? Wonder no more!
What is The Repose of The Soul? | Got Questions
Can Souls Pray For us?
We pray to Saints for their intercession on our behalf. What about the Holy Souls in purgatory? Can we pray to them for intercession before they go to heaven? The Catholic Church does not address this. Interestingly, there are differing opinions among theologians.
Can Souls in Purgatory Pray For us? | Ascension Press
Can Holy Souls Visit us?
We’ve heard about visitations by Angels and Marina apparitions. Perhaps you’ve even been visited in your dreams by departed loved ones. But can Holy Souls in purgatory pay us a visit? Peter Darcy says yes and here’s why they may come.
Does God Allow Souls in Purgatory to Visit The Living? | Catholic Stand
How to Avoid Purgatory
Purgatory is the purification required before going to meet the Lord in heaven. It’s inevitable, right? No one can avoid purgatory … or can you? There are things you can do to shorten your time in purgatory … and possibly even avoid it altogether. You’re going to want to check this out.
How to Avoid Purgatory | EWTN
Purification in Life
We’re familiar with the purification in purgatory after our death. But did you know that God provides purification during our everyday lives? If we don’t recognize the hand of God in our lives, we won’t profit from the passive purification. Here’s what to look for.
Passive Purification | Catholic Exchange
November Indulgences Extended
During November there are indulgences available for All Saint’s and All Soul’s Day. Due to concerns with the Coronavirus pandemic, the Holy See has extended the indulgences through the entire month of November and made it easier. Here’s what you need to know.
Indulgences for All Saint’s & Soul’s Day Extended Throughout November | UCatholic
Doing Our Part for Holy Souls
Here are Genuflect’s resources from two years ago that focus on what you can do to help the Holy Souls in purgatory. They are still relevant now as we head into November.
This Week’s Top Resources for Doing Our Part for the Holy Souls in Purgatory | Genflect
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Pray The Novena For The Holy Souls in Purgatory
All Soul’s Day is coming up on November 2nd. It’s not too late to pray The Novena For the Holy Souls in Purgatory. You’ll find the instructions for The Novena For the Holy Souls in Purgatory here.
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