S3 E8 What the Souls in Heaven and Purgatory Wish We Knew with Leslea Wahl and Theresa Linden
Shownotes
Last week we talked to Susan Brinkman from Women of Grace about necromancy, mediums and conjuring the dead and as our conversation confirmed God forbids these actions. Ironically, in today's episode we are going to talk about what the deceased want us to know about heaven and purgatory. But I promise you we are breaking no rules. As Susan pointed out last week there are disembodied souls waiting for us to pray them into heaven, but we should not try to contact them.
In fact there are many Saints in the church who have had approved visions: Padre Pio, St. Tolentino, St. Gertrude, as well as even mystic Maria Simma, whose writings about the souls in purgatory received the imprimatur. Souls who have come from purgatory have sought out the prayers of individuals to gain entrance into heaven. Yet the question remains: What can we learn from these souls?
Our Guests
Leslea Wahl lives in beautiful Colorado and is the author of several award-winning teen novels. She strives to write stories that encourage teens to grow in their faith through fun adventurous mysteries. Leslea is often inspired by her family, their travels, and real-life adventures. She particularly enjoys including the furry, four-legged members of her family in her novels. Besides writing Leslea also reviews faith-based novels on her website and is a founding member of CatholicTeenBooks.com.
Theresa Linden is the author of award-winning Catholic fiction for children, teens, and adults, including Tortured Soul, a purgatory soul story that won recognition in the Catholic Media Association book awards. One of her great joys is to bring elements of the Catholic Faith to life through a story. A wife, retired homeschooling mom, and Secular Franciscan, she resides in northeast Ohio with her family.
Links
Shadows: Visible and Invisible, part of the Catholic Teen Books: Visible & Invisible -AnthologySeries available at Catholicteenbooks.com
Scripture
“Greet Mary who has worked for you…” Romans 16:6
“for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus, he made atonement for the dead that they might be absolved from their sin.”
Prayer of St. Gertrude for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
Eternal Father, I offer You the most Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home, and within my family. Amen.
Journaling Questions
What surprised you about this episode?
What are some misconceptions you have or had about purgatory, All Saints Day, or All Souls Day?
Who is someone you can ask to intercede on your behalf?
What is your mourning glory?