The Communion of Saints and Purgatory

In this chapter of From the Housetops, Brother Matthew explains the communion of saints as a divine institution uniting all the saints in heaven, the just in purgatory, and the children of the Church on earth in one soul and the same thing. We are one with the Father who calls us his children, one with the Son by resemblance to his divine life, one with the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us, and one with all the saints, martyrs, confessors, and virgins. The communion of saints enriches us with the merits of Jesus Christ and of all the saints, a common heritage shared in charity, and gives us powerful protectors in heaven and brethren upon earth.

We owe it to God and to charity toward our neighbor to help the souls in purgatory, his elect and beloved children called to bless him eternally in heaven. They suffer from the privation of God and endure pains surpassing all earthly torments, yet their suffering is relieved by hope. The souls in purgatory are saved and will reach heaven when cleansed of temporal punishment due to sin. Scripture and the teaching of the Church affirm this holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins. The souls suffer the pain of loss and the pain of sense, but their purification leads to eternal happiness. Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.