The Church celebrates All Souls Day (Nov 2). To help families prepare, Strong Catholic Dad offers a free 6-part series to help parents explain Purgatory and do their part to help free the Poor Souls.
Here’s what we covered:
- Why Purgatory matters for families
- “A Family Saved from a Burning Car”
- Making it personal for parents
- Explaining Purgatory to a 10-year-old
- The joy of souls in Purgatory
- The family mission: helping souls home
- Story parallel: “Sara Tucholsky Carried Home”
- One practical action for families this week
- Hope, not horror!
Radio Interview & Podcast:
Why does this topic matter for Catholic families?
- Purgatory isn’t punishment — it’s God’s mercy finishing His work of love in us. Kids need to see that God’s love is so real it purifies, not condemns.
- Think of Purgatory as God preparing our hearts for Heaven — like washing off the last bit of mud before entering a wedding. It shows kids how God’s justice and mercy work together, and that love continues beyond this life.
“A Family Saved from a Burning Car”
- A family’s car flipped and caught fire. Good Samaritans rushed in. An off-duty fireman broke the windshield and pulled a trapped baby from the car seat. The family was saved; the baby and a helper received minor burns.
- Like that family couldn’t get out alone, the souls in Purgatory can’t free themselves. Our prayers, sacrifices, and Masses are like the rescuers who break the glass and carry them to safety.
How can parents bring this message home?
Tell stories, not sermons. Kids remember concrete love better than abstract charts.
- Use simple analogies: “If you broke your friend’s window, forgiveness removes the guilt — but you still fix the window.” Purgatory is that healing step.
- Model prayer: choose a loved one and pray by name.
- Offer small sacrifices together (chores without complaining, sharing a treat) for the Poor Souls.
How do you explain Purgatory to a 10-year-old?
- Purgatory is God’s hospital for the soul — where His love finishes healing us before Heaven.
- “When we sin, it wounds love. God forgives instantly in Confession, but healing takes time — that’s what happens in Purgatory. It’s love finishing its work.”
Isn’t Purgatory just suffering? What about joy?
- It’s the joy of being almost home. Souls in Purgatory are at peace because they know they’re going to Heaven.
- Picture a bride waiting outside the church doors — nervous yet radiant. The souls already belong to God; they’re being perfected for eternal love.
Can families really help free souls from Purgatory?
- Yes. God gives us real power to help souls. Our prayers, Masses, and sacrifices can shorten their purification.
- When a child prays for Grandpa’s soul, that’s no small thing. The Mass, Rosary, and indulgences are divine gifts meant to heal the whole Body of Christ. Every act of love has eternal effects.
Story Parallel — “Sara Tucholsky Carried Home”
- Sara hit a home run but was injured. Her opponents carried her around the bases so she could finish.
- That’s what we do for the Poor Souls — we “carry them home” when they can’t move themselves. Love goes beyond strict justice and finishes the journey.
One practical thing every family can do this week
Pick one soul (start with a relative) and pray the Eternal Rest prayer together each night:
- “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.”
Nov 1–8: You can gain a plenary indulgence daily for a soul in Purgatory by:
- Visiting a cemetery and praying for the dead
- Going to Confession and receiving Holy Communion
- Praying for the Holy Father’s intentions
- Having complete detachment from sin
Make it personal: have your kids name the person and imagine handing that soul to Jesus in prayer.
Takeaway: The Hope of Purgatory
- Purgatory isn’t God’s courtroom — it’s His spa for the soul. It’s hope, not horror.
- Tell your kids: God’s love burns away everything that keeps us from Heaven. Our prayers help finish that story of love.
Comment below:
How have you talked with your kids about Purgatory? What helped them “get it”?
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