Bishop Thomas John Paprocki | Diocese of Springfield

Father Michael Friedel recently addressed a query from Michael in Effingham, who pondered the fate of souls that passed before the coming of Christ and sought clarity on the meaning of the 'third heaven' as mentioned by St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:2.

In response to Michael's questions, Father Friedel explained that the Catholic faith teaches that Christ "descended into hell" after His death but before His resurrection. He clarified that this descent was not to save the damned but to bring victory over death and sin, freeing the righteous souls who awaited His coming. This event, known as the "harrowing of hell," ensured that faithful souls who died before Christ's arrival were granted their eternal reward.

Regarding the 'third heaven' mentioned by St. Paul, Father Friedel interpreted it as a reference to Paradise, the dwelling place of God. He speculated that Paul's use of "third" may stem from Hebrew cosmology, where the term for heaven implies two realms, with the third representing the highest abode where God resides.

Father Friedel emphasized the existence of different realms of heaven, indicating varying levels of participation in God's life based on individuals' cooperation with divine grace. He encouraged living in a manner that aligns with the aspiration to experience the highest heaven for which souls were created.

Father Michael Friedel, who serves as the pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Decatur and is an associate vocation director for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, provided insightful reflections on these theological questions, shedding light on the concepts of the afterlife and heavenly realms.