believe that their fallen brethren were with the blessed in Limbo, for otherwise their sin-offerings for them would have had no meaning. No, they believed: a) that those who had been slain were in a middle state between that of the blessed and that of the damned; b) that they had to make satisfaction for venial sin; and c) that the survivors could help them by prayers and sacrifices, and thus make satisfaction for them to the divine justice, so that they might be delivered from their present state. Holy Scripture testifies that this belief is a correct one, since it praises Judas for offering up these prayers and sacrifices, saying explicitly: “It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead.” This completely corroborates the Catholic doctrine of purgatory, and of prayers for the dead.
Prayers for the dead. It is a “holy” thought to pray for the dead, because it proceeds from a living faith and a sincere brotherly love. It is also a “wholesome” thought, for these prayers help the holy souls as well as ourselves. They procure for them admission to heaven, and they increase our merits and, moreover, bind the delivered souls, out of gratitude, to intercede for us before the throne of God. This leads us on to another Catholic doctrine, also confirmed by this story, namely:
The intercession of the Saints. In Judas’ vision not only did Onias pray for the Jews, but he said that Jeremias also prayed for them (“This is he that prayeth much for the people, and for all the holy city, Jeremias, the prophet of God”). The Saints, therefore, know about us and care for us, for our sufferings, struggles and necessities; and seek to help us by their intercession. Jeremias appeared as the special guardian and patron of Jerusalem. In the same way we believe that those Saints who have been chosen and devoutly venerated, as the special patrons of individual Christians, or of churches, villages, towns, parishes or estates, intercede especially for those who have been committed to their care.
The virtues of the Machabees. Mathathias and his sons fought a noble fight. They did not take up arms out of ambition or thirst for renown, but simply out of holy zeal for God’s honour, for liberty of conscience and the welfare of their country. They said: “It is better for us to die in battle, than to see the evils of our nation and of the holies.” They were ready to bleed and die for God and for their country. They carried on the war with heroic courage and endurance, and their heroism proceeded from their unshaken confidence in God. They fought not only for God, but with Him. They knew that they could not overcome without His help, so before the battle, and in the battle, they called on Him, and after it they humbly gave Him the glory, and thanked Him who had given them the victory.
The power of prayer. The wonderful assistance which was so repeatedly granted to Judas shows us the power of fervent and trustful
