Dear Father,

I want to share with you this doubt of mine to which I cannot attribute an answer. Can one ask for forgiveness for the sins of others? If so, will they be forgiven as if that person had committed an act of contrition?

Please answer because my father is not feeling very well these days and since I know of some mortal sins that he has committed and has not confessed, I wanted to know if it was possible to ask for forgiveness for those sins on his behalf because I would never want one of the people dearest and most precious to me to end up in hell.

I thank you in advance for your answer that I eagerly await

Priest’s answer

Dear Friend,

1. as it is lawful and sometimes even right to ask for graces for others, so we can also ask for the grace of forgiveness.

However, this prayer does not replace repentance on the part of those who have sinned, nor does it have the power to forgive sins.

It is a prayer made so that the penitent may be prepared to receive the grace of forgiveness.

2. Nothing, in fact, can replace the act of conversion, which is always a personal and subjective act.

However, our prayer can obtain this grace.

In this regard, I like to recall what we read in the life of Saint Catherine of Siena.

She happened to see two men led to the gallows. They were surrounded by a swarm of demons.

While the executioners tortured the bodies of the two condemned to death, the demons pushed them to blaspheme in an increasingly bold manner.

Catherine began to pray and resolved not to stop praying until she saw them converted and saved.

The demons became furious with her, striking her and even threatening to enter her body.

Catherine despised them and did not desist from her prayer.

3. When the cart entered the city, the two condemned men suddenly changed their attitude: they had seen Jesus Christ being scourged, dripping blood and with his flesh torn.

Suddenly they asked for the presence of a priest to confess, they publicly acknowledged their sins, even those for which they had not been condemned to death.

Catherine continued to remain in prayer until she saw them enter heaven.

4. Having reported this fact, I now come to the doctrinal motivations.

St. Thomas Aquinas writes: “Now we ought to desire good things not only for ourselves, but also for others: for this is essential to the love which we owe to our neighbor, as stated above. Therefore charity requires us to pray for others. Hence Chrysostom says: “Necessity binds us to pray for ourselves, fraternal charity urges us to pray for others: and the prayer that fraternal charity proffers is sweeter to God than that which is the outcome of necessity.” (Summa Theologiae, II-II,83,7).

5. Coming closer to our topic, St. Thomas says: “We ought to pray even for sinners, that they may be converted, and for the just that they may persevere and advance in holiness. Yet those who pray are heard not for all sinners but for some:” (Ib., ad 3). Some, in fact, can resist the saving action of God.

6. “It sometimes happens that prayer for others does not obtain grace, even if it is done with piety, with perseverance, and for things relating to eternal salvation, because of the impediment existing on the part of the interested party. In Jeremiah, in fact, we read: “Even if Moses and Samuel stood before me, my heart would not turn toward this people.” (Jer 15:1).

However, prayer remains meritorious for those who pray out of charity. In fact, regarding the words of Psalm 35:13: “my prayer echoed in my breast,” the Gloss comments: “that is, although it did not benefit them, nevertheless I have not lost my reward” (Ib., ad 2). T-N

7. I also like to recall the biblical testimony of the righteous Job, who, knowing that his children feasted on certain feasts in each other’s homes, “For Job said,”It may be that my sons have sinned and blasphemed God in their hearts.”  (Job 1:5). For this reason, “And when each feast had run its course, Job would send for them and sanctify them, rising early and offering holocausts for every one of them (…). This Job did habitually.” (Ib.).

Therefore, the celebration of Holy Mass is very beneficial for the eternal salvation of some people.

For your part, you can go to Mass on weekdays for the good of your loved ones

Hoping that you always persevere with these good feelings, I bless you and remember you in prayer.

Father Angelo

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