‘Purgatory’ by J. Sadlier; 1886; Chapter I – ‘ST. JOSEPH'S INTERCESSION…’; pages 45
[Saint Catherine of Genoa – XV-XVI Century AD; born: Genoa, Republic of Genoa/ died: Genoa, Republic of Genoa; Aged 62-63; mystic, known for her work among the sick and the poor]
ST. JOSEPH'S INTERCESSION FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED.
St. Francis de Sales says: ** We do not often enough remember our dead, our faithful departed." Thus the Church, Uke a good »"mother, recalls to us the thought of the dead when we have forgotten them, and therefore she consecrates the month of November to the memory of the dead. This pious and salutary practice of praying for an entire month for the dead takes its rise from the earliest ages of the Church. The custom of mourning thirty days for the dead existed amongst the Jews. The practice of saying thirty Masses on thirty consecutive days was established by St. Gregory, and Innocent XI enriched it with indulgences. " God has made known to me," says the venerable sister Marie …More
"St. Francis de Sales says: ** We do not often enough remember our dead, our faithful departed." Thus the Church, Uke a good »"mother, recalls to us the thought of the dead when we have forgotten them, and therefore she consecrates the month of November to the memory of the dead. This pious and salutary practice of praying for an entire month for the dead takes its rise from the earliest ages of the Church."
The Blessed Anna Katharina Emmerich said exactly the same about St. Joseph: "St. Joseph did not at once pass into heaven—because Jesus Christ had not opened its gates—but descended into Limbo" - Limbo is the space before purgatory. In limbo, you don’t suffer, you just wait. @Instaurare Omnia in Christo
Accepting death with resignation and trust in Jesus Christ is extremely important. Let's pray for that grace.
Thank you. I can't picture Saint Joseph being in Limbo and not being taken straight into Heaven. I accept death and look forward to it, hoping by that time I am pleasing to GOD.
This is also a reminder that the OT patriarchs had to wait for Jesus to pass into Heaven as He had to "open the gates" for them also.
Bible passage of the patriarchs waiting in Limbo until the resurrection.
Matthew 27:52-53
" that a devotion to the death of St. Joseph obtains many graces for those who are agonizing, and that, as St. Joseph did not at once pass into heaven—because Jesus Christ had not opened its gates—but descended into Limbo, it is a most useful devotion for the agonizing, and for the souls in Purgatory, to offer to God the resignation of St. Joseph when he was dying and about to leave Jesus and Mary in this world, and to honor the holy patience of this great Saint waiting calmly in Limbo until Easter-day, when Jesus Christ, risen and glorious, released him."
I'm sorry. I am having a "bit" of problem with Saint Joseph going into Limbo (Purgatory). The man who was Father to GOD'S Son? The Spouse of GOD'S favorite Daughter? I just can't see that happening. That doesn't make any sense to me. GOD will surely bypass Purgatory for him. A most humble, loving and caring man of The Holy Family? I just can't see that. And I remember once a post that it's believed that Saint Joseph was also born with original sin. I don't know about that. But if it's true, why would he go to Purgatory instead of straight to Heaven. I'm having a hard believing this. Is there other Saints who saw him Purgatory?
@Instaurare Omnia in Christo: I agree with you. But purgatory and limbo are two different things. The children who die without baptism are in limbo. In purgatory are the souls that have to make up for their sins, for which they have truly repented.