Catholics/Resurrection of the Dead

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Expert: - 7/12/2009


Question
Since when we die we will reunite with our glorified bodies at the end of the world how is it that we pray to saints in Heaven since it is not the end of the world.  In other words when is resurrection immediately or at the end of the world.  Are souls in heaven right after they die?

Answer
You are confusing the Particular Judgment and the General Judgment.  The Particular Judgment occurs at death, as a result of which the soul goes to Hell, Purgatory, or Heaven.  The Resurrection of the Dead occurs at the end of time, in the General Judgment of the world.

For further information consult your traditional catechism, such as the Baltimore Catechism.

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Fr. Michael

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A traditional Catholic priest, who provides forthright answers to questions FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF TRADITIONAL CATHOLICISM (not the New Order) on topics pertaining to TRADITIONAL Roman Catholicism, including theology, the Bible, Church history, the Latin language, liturgy (especially the Traditional Latin Mass), and music (especially Gregorian chant), and current events in the Catholic Church.

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