Purgatory_SCHOUPPE - the Catholic Kingdom!

2 THE DOGMA OF PURGATORY.assist in peopling Heaven, which is the permanent city, theglorious Jerusalem.What then is the work which we, members of the ChurchMilitant, have to do for the souls in Purgatory? We have.to alleviate their sufferings. God has placed in our handsthe key of this mysterious prison : it is prayer for the dead,devotion to the souls in Purgatory.CHAPTER II.Prayerfor the Dead Fearand Confidence.PRAYER for the departed, sacrifices, and suffrages for thedead form a part of Christian worship, and devotiontowards the souls in isPurgatory a devotion which theHoly Ghost infuses with charity into ih.e hearts of thefaithful. // is a holy and wholesome tjioitfit, says HolyScripture, to pray for the dead, that they may Ot loosed fromsins. 1In order to be perfect, devotion,-vot on*:o the. .inPurgatory must be animated both by P- -=P irit oi *4 cuda spirit of confidence. On thtv jne hand, the^Aly..-.of God and His Justice inspires v-S vith a salutary- ear ; ,on the other, His infinite usMercyboundless COIK.give:,fidence.^God is Sanctity itself,much more so than the si. n is light,and no shadow of sin can endure before His fr c e. Thineeyes are pure, says the prophet, and fhou cantf not look oniniquity.?When iniquity manifests itsfcH in creatures, theSanctity of God exacts expiation, and when this ex; iationis made in all the rigour of justice,it is terrible. It is forthis reason that the Scripture says again, Holy and terribleMachab. xii. 46.2Habac. i. 13.Private Use Only