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Question Title Posted By Question Date
The Heroic Act for Holy Souls lisa Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Question:

Dear Brother Ignatius Mary,

I have been offering my actions and prayers for the Holy Souls. Just recently my Mom died and I have become aware that there are many deceased people, including my Dad, who need prayers. I want for ALL souls to benefit the way the Blessed Mother sees fit.

I have some questions concerning how this affects my own suffering.

1. Will I suffer more in this life? I am not idealistic about suffering, as I have had my share of trials and struggle finacially (I am actively looking for work, and my husband is also looking for work), spiritually, and mentally.

I am embarrassed to say that because life has been so difficult that I worry about future suffering. All I ask for is to have money to pay rent and help my kids. I'm not a fancy gal. I also have a fear of more anxiety and depression. I don't mind living without special consolations in prayer as long as I have common peace to fulfill my duties well. (I'm on medications)


2. What exactly do I say I am offering? How do I offer this? At mass I have been communicating the desire for Holy Souls to "meet God" when I receive the Eucharist. I pray rosary at night for them too.

3. Can I offer ALL of my past actions and prayers since, gosh, the Holy Souls got gypped out of almost three fourths of my life? Or I could konk out tommorrow. I am asking if there is such a thing as "retrospective offering", if that makes sense.

Thank you in advance for answering my question , and may the Blessed Mother keep you!

lisa
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), LTh, DD

Lisa:

An Heroic Act is defined by Fr. Hardon's the Modern Catholic Dictionary as

"An act of charity by which a person offers to God, for the benefit of the souls in purgatory, all the works of satisfaction he or she will perform during life, and all the suffrage that will come to him or her after death. It is not a vow but an offering that can be revoked at will. Its heroism consists in the readiness to undergo sufferings here and in purgatory in order to relieve others of their purgatorial pains. The Church has more than once approved such a heroic act of charity."

To your Question #1: No, offering Heroic Acts does not mean more suffering in this life. It means that any benefits you receive because of the sufferings you endure will not be applied to you, but to those in purgatory.

Question #2: You offer this by a simple prayer offering to God all your sufferings, indulgences, and benefit you may receive after death to the souls in purgatory.

Question #3: there no need for "retrospective offering." When you offer all of your suffering and satisfactions of this life, and the benefits after death, you are automatically offering all you have.

Praise God for your sacrifice. The devil will try to talk you out of it. Resist him.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary
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