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Almsgiving for the Poor Souls: The Church encourages almsgiving for the Poor Souls,
such as praying for them (CCC, 1032), especially through Holy Mass offerings (CCC, 1371); for
it helps in the expiation of their sinful deeds, and facilitates their entry into Heaven, as well (2
Mac 12:42-46; Tob 12:9; CCC, 1032). 113xlviii
On Almsgiving for the Dead, the Church also teaches that it is a way for the “pilgrim
members” on earth to be “in communion with the dead ” and with “the blessed in Heaven” who
are prayerful supplicants in the “Mystical Body of Christ” also (CCC, 958). It is a way to be in
union with the “merciful love of God” for man, as well (CCC, 962).
The Church also teaches that Almsgiving for the Dead is a spiritual work of mercy, a sign
of “fraternal charity,” and a “work of justice pleasing to God” (CCC, 2447, 2462). 114
Mercy, Charity, and Justice are further dealt with below.
Mercy, Justice, and Charity: On Mercy, St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that mercy is the
virtue that spurs someone into action, moved by compassion to ease his neighbor’s spiritual (the
soul’s) or corporal (the body’s) misfortune, which may be beyond his control in some way. 115
Mercy is also the “fruit of charity” (CCC, 1829). And, as Sr. Faustina wrote in her Diary on
February 12, 1937, “The Love of God is the flower – Mercy the fruit (and) the greatest attribute
of God” (Diary, # 949). Thus, a work of mercy is not simply a great advice; but most of all, a
firm obligation of the living, as Jesus Himself emphasized to Sr. Faustina (Diary, # 742). 116
113
Stark, Thomas H. “The Relationship of Mercy and Justice According to St. Thomas Aquinas.” The Catholic
World Report. October 21, 2015.
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/4304/the_relationship_of_mercy_and_justice_according_to_st_thomas_a
quinas.aspx (Internet Accessed June 17, 2016), 1-2.
114
Ibid., Delany, Joseph. "Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Internet, 1.
115
Ibid., Delaney, "Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy," The Catholic Encyclopedia, Internet, 1; Stark, Thomas
H. “The Relationship of Mercy and Justice According to St. Thomas Aquinas,” Internet, 1-2.
116
Ibid., Delaney, "Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy," The Catholic Encyclopedia, Internet, 1.
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