From Susan Tassone:
The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ, consisting of the Church Triumphant—the saints and angels reigning in the glory of Heaven; the Church Suffering—the souls in Purgatory; and the Church Militant—those fighting “the good fight” on Earth.
All members are directly connected. What happens to one affects all.
This binds us to the holy souls in Purgatory, the Church Suffering. These suffering souls are entirely helpless. They cannot pray for themselves, earn merit, or make sacrifices. Once the soul leaves the body, its time for earning merit is over. Souls are either in Heaven, paying a debt in Purgatory, or in Hell.
The souls in Purgatory rely completely on our prayers, Holy Masses, sacrifices, and acts of charity to relieve their suffering and obtain their release.
God has given us the duty, power, and privilege to assist them.
Fulfilling this duty of charity is a profound act of mercy. Purgatory is not merely a quiet waiting room. The saints tell us that the suffering there is worse than any illness or suffering on Earth.
The souls weep and mourn the loss of the sight of God. Vicka, a visionary from Medjugorje, stated in interviews:
“They are so lonely that it is almost sickening to remember those moments. I was there. I know how desperately they need our prayers.”
Our Masses, Rosaries, Stations of the Cross, periods of Adoration, and Eternal Rest prayers not only directly assist souls in Purgatory; that mercy also ripples through the entire Church, transforming the spiritual landscape for everyone.
Our prayers actively help shape the Kingdom of God.
How Freeing a Holy Soul Directly Affects the Church Triumphant in Heaven
It Magnifies Praise to God
Every soul delivered from Purgatory enters Heaven and immediately joins the angels and saints in eternal adoration of God.
It Multiplies Our Intercessors
Releasing a soul gains you a powerful, lifelong intercessor who becomes one of your nearest and dearest friends for all eternity.
That soul prostrates itself before the throne of God to intercede for you throughout your life, acting almost like a second guardian angel until you are safely home in Heaven.
It Completes Christ’s Body
The Church grows closer to its fullness as more of its members are purified and united with God in glory.
It Displays Divine Mercy
The passage of a soul from purification into the Beatific Vision places God’s perfect justice and boundless mercy on display for all of Heaven to rejoice in.
Your prayers do not merely hasten a soul’s arrival in Heaven—they reshape eternity.
By helping deceased loved ones and friends who are languishing in Purgatory cross the threshold into Heaven, you send a wave of joy through the Church Triumphant, help complete the Mystical Body of Christ, and secure powerful advocates for your own soul.
Remember to have Masses offered for yourself now. This may shorten your time in Purgatory. Michael Brown urges readers in his book Afterlife to have one Mass offered for every year of their lives.
Offer a Mass, a triduum, or a novena of Masses for your deceased loved ones, friends, and enemies. Arrange for Gregorian Masses to be included in your will through PUSJ.org.
Enroll your entire family lineage with the Missionaries of the Holy Family. Submit the names of the living and deceased members of your family lineage, including surnames and maiden names, through MSF-America.org.
On June 18, 2026, Our Lady of Medjugorje reportedly requested prayers for our deceased family lineages.
For a stipend of $200, you can prepay for 30 Gregorian Masses through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in New York at PropagationArchNY.org. Individual Masses may be offered for a stipend of $5.
What a splendid sight: members of the Church Militant holding out their hands to the Church Suffering and helping unite them with the Church Triumphant.
Nothing is done in isolation.
Do not wait.
Heaven cannot wait!
© Susan Tassone
July 20, 2026
