Uninvited, unhonored

7th Oct 2009 by Chris

It seems to be an attempt to modify the doctrine
of Purgatory in that the faithful are asked to pray for the deceased
soul for 40 days after death during which time they traverse the
natural and supernatural worlds, according to this Russian Orthodox
tradition. Catholic dogma is more clear. Particular Judgment occurs at
death. The soul goes to heaven, hell or purgatory. If heaven or hell,
there is no chance of leaving either, before or after 40 days since
death. Purgatory is not necessarily 40 days for everyone or anyone. It
may be hours, days, weeks, years, centuries, or millennia depending on
the individual person and the attachment to sin and temporal punishment
due to sin they accumulated during life. We do not say the soul wanders
the earth for 39 or 40 days. The soul is judged and goes directly to
heaven, hell or purgatory. They do not haunt houses, or walk the earth
as ghosts.

– Fr. John Trigilio on 06-07-2007 (http://www.catholic-bulletin.blogspot.com/2007/06/40-days-after-death.html)

40 days after the death of my honey, JP Tolledo, many were uninvited.  Restricting to only the closest and wanted by the immediately family.  Why is 40 days a very important number? more…