Purgatory

[jazzytakara]

If Purgatory is necessary to purify our souls of the damages we incurred from sin, why are their prayers to release souls from Purgatory into Heaven? Do our prayers purify them, aid in the process, or allow them to bypass the need for purification. I'm just a tad bit confused...

[CatherineM]

When you throw a brick through a neighbor's window, you have to apologize (confession) but you also have to pay for the window (penance/atonement). Sometimes you have to pay for the window by doing chores. Imagine doing chores for a week and working so hard that your neighbor decides you've learned your lesson, or worked hard enough, and lets you off early. Maybe your mom sees how hard you're working and pays off the rest of your debt.

If you touched someone's life positively while you were on earth to the extent they pray for you, it's the equivalent of having character witnesses testify for you at a parole hearing. We have no way of knowing whether the person we are praying for is even in purgatory.

Praying for my parents or grandparents is in a lot of ways really for myself. It's my way of remembering them, hoping they are okay and watching out for me. Prayer changes things. Praying for people in Purgatory is good for us because it reminds us that we all need mercy.