Purgatory prayers

Purgatory prayers
Question from Marie on 4/4/2008:

Father please forgive me for asking so many questions but I've been holding back until your forum was open...

We know about praying for the poor suffering souls in purgatory because they can no lonter merit for themselves, but I'm a little confused as to whether it's okay to ask for their prayers for us. Would that be considered communicating with the dead, which Scripture forbids? Could you please shed some light on this?

Thank you, Father -- God bless!
Answer by Fr. John Echert on 5/4/2008:

Since we do not know which souls are in Purgatory we are free to ask the prayers of any of the dead, always with the assumption that we leave it to God as to their present status, unless they are canonized saints--then we know for certain that they are in a position to pray for us.

Thanks, Marie

Father Echert