Questions on Catholicism

[Huntermann]

I have seen or heardover the years several things that made me go hmmm. Why do they do that? This is genuinely not to stir up nothing, just curious why do they do or believecertain things...

The candle thing: I have seen in many, many movies (and even in a visit to Basquille Notredame in Montreal) there are lot's of small candles and a box for taking up a collection. Now what I kinda remember hearing is this is a sorta place that you can pray for dear aunt sally or uncle fred and get them out of purgatory or something like that.

Speaking of purgatory, what is your understanding of what that is all about?

I guess this will be a good starting point.

Any Catholics that would like to shed some light on this?

[cr422]

I posted a discussion of purgatory in the "Spirits in Prison" thread a little further down. That'll be a little more efficient than doing it all over here.

As far as the candles are concerned, that's an old custom. It's an act of devotion. The offering box is to pay for the candles basically. I always put in a dollar, but the candles probably don't cost more than a nickle.

You can pray for anything. Note that you are asking the respective saint to pray for you, not to actually do any physical act. You can pray for deceased loved ones or for people who are with us now but may need our prayers. My wife asks the Blessed Mother to pray for our unborn baby.