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Does the good or bad fortune of the living affect the happiness or misery of the dead?

 






I have always maintained that the deceased live within us and that those deceased who, during their lives, came into contact with us exert a stronger influence on our lives, depending on the duration of that contact.
However, now I want to pose an opposite question: How can our current experiences, those fortunes or misfortunes that happen to us daily, influence the impact on dead people?
In other words:

Does the good or bad fortune of the living affect the happiness or misery of the dead?

It is certainly difficult to find an answer because, first and foremost, one must identify the most suitable field of inquiry to guarantee a response.

To obtain an answer, I must ensure a field of investigation that can provide answers. 
For example, the realm of visions. 

One example in this regard comes from Natuzza Evolo
One day, a deceased mother appeared to Natuzza, asking her to reassure her daughter, who was suffering greatly from her loss. Natuzza conveyed the message to the daughter, offering comfort and peace to the grieving family. 

Other examples can be drawn from Anna Katharina Emmerick
Anna Katharina Emmerick recounts seeing the soul of a mother in Purgatory, who was suffering not only for her own purification but also for the difficulties her daughter was experiencing on Earth. The mother was concerned because her daughter was facing severe economic and spiritual problems. She asked Anna Katharina to pray for the daughter and to offer her spiritual support. This episode underscores the emotional and spiritual bond between the deceased and their living loved ones. 
Anna Katharina Emmerick also described visions in which parents' souls sought forgiveness and intercession for their children. One soul, in particular, appeared to Anna Katharina, asking her to pray that her children be freed from the consequences of her sins. The soul was tormented by the thought that her mistakes had caused misfortune and hardship for her children still living.

One of the most notable episodes involves Padre Pio seeing the soul of a deceased monk who was suffering in Purgatory. The monk appeared to Padre Pio in the confessional. He revealed that he was a monk who had died in the monastery but had not completed his penance. He was suffering in Purgatory and was deeply concerned about his family struggling on Earth due to his past actions.
The deceased monk asked Padre Pio to offer prayers and Masses for him, so he could be relieved from Purgatory and, in turn, help his family find peace and resolution to their difficulties. Padre Pio agreed and devoted time to praying and offering Masses for the monk's soul. After a period of these dedicated prayers and Masses, the monk appeared to Padre Pio again, this time expressing gratitude as he was finally freed from Purgatory. The monk's release from suffering was believed to bring spiritual comfort and blessings to his family on Earth, alleviating their hardships.

Thus, yes, the good or bad fortune of the living does affect the happiness or misery of the dead.
And this contradicts what St. Augustine claims: Mortuorum animae non intersunt rebus viventium, The souls of the dead do not know what happens in the realm of the living.


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[1] DE CURA PRO MORTUIS GERENDA LIBER UNUS, 13,15

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