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Hi, Sheila —
A soul in Purgatory is being purged
of selfishness or selfish love of
self. That is why (he or she) is precluded
to pray for oneself. When they pray
for others they continue the process
of growing in selflessness and I would
argue that it benefits them to pray
for others.
Now as to the question of who they
can pray for. There would appear
to be no reason why they couldn't
pray for a fellow soul in Purgatory,
because it is a soul other than one
self, but ultimately this is a mystery.
Purgatory itself is a mystery. Most
of what we've been taught about it
is theological opinion.
The Catechism has very little to
say about it, except that:
- it exists
- it is temporary
- it involves suffering from temporal
punishment due to sin
(although it is joyful and healing
in nature)
- the Holy Souls in Purgatory can pray for us, and
- we can pray for them.
Everything else is pious tradition,
speculation, and theological opinion.
That said, I wouldn't be too quick
to try and nail down answers to what
is simply a Mystery.
Side note: If you know of others
with a strong devotion to the Holy Souls
in Purgatory, check out Mike's other
web site, Helpers
of the Holy Souls.
God Bless,
John DiMascio and Brian Bagley
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