2/16/25 Please pray for them...
Please pray for them. I, personally, do not know any perfect human beings on this earth. Certainly not me, and no one I have met either. We are all imperfect, striving to emulate the virtues and character of those we admire. This shared imperfection connects us all in our humanity. I say this because it seems we have lost the beautiful understanding of purgatory. When someone dies, it is our responsibility to pray for him or her and try to have a Mass offered for them. This act of caring and responsibility is crucial in our faith.
In 1032, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, "All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death, they undergo purification, to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven...
We continue reading, "This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in sacred Scripture... From the beginning, the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for each of them.
'Suffrage' here means intercessory prayers, prayers offered on behalf of another person, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that thus purified they might attain the beatific vision of God.
Some of the best people I know have died and will die. I will continue to love them as I pray for them. I encourage you to do so as well.
Peace,
Father Maassen
