Offering Masses Benefits the Faithful Departed

When someone dies, they will face their particular judgment before God (CCC 1021-22). Some argue that Masses subsequently offered for them could impact their particular judgment, i.e., whether they go to heaven or hell.

Well, in short, don’t count on that. We should be prepared for our particular judgments at the moment of death, and also encourage others to do the same. What we can say for sure is that Masses offered for the dead can positively impact their time in Purgatory (CCC 1371), i.e., aid those who have died in right relationship with God but still need to be detached from their attachments to sins (1 Cor. 3:10-15).