h grief at the knowledge of the afflictions of
those whom they loved in the world. For they are so filled with
the joy of their beatitude that sorrow finds no place in them.
Hence, if they know after death the evil plight of those dear to
them, it is none the less a relief to their sorrow if they are
withdrawn from this world before those woes come on.

At the same time it is possible that souls not yet in glory
would feel a certain grief if they were made aware of the
sorrows of those dear to them. And since the soul of Josias was
not immediately glorified on its quitting the body, S. Augustine
endeavours to argue that the souls of the dead have no knowledge
of the deeds of the living.[274]

3. Again, the more a person is perfected in charity the more ready he is
to succour his neighbour in peril. But the Saints while still in the
flesh had a care for their neighbours, and especially for their
relatives, when in peril. Since, then, they are after death far more
perfected in charity, if they were cognizant of our deeds, they would
have now a much greater care for those dear to them or related to them,
and would help them much more in their necessities; but this does not
seem to be the case. Whence it would seem that they are not cognizant of
our actions nor of our prayers.

But the souls of the Saints have their will perfectly conformed
to the Will of God, even in what they would will. Consequently,
while retaining their feelings of charity towards their
neighbour, they afford them no other assistance than that which
they see is arranged for them in accordance with Divine Justice.
Yet at the same time we must believe that they help their
neighbours very much indeed by interceding for them with God.

4. Further, just as the Saints after death see the Word, so also do the
Angels, for of them it is said: _Their Angels in Heaven always see the
face of My Father Who is in Heaven_.[275] But the Angels, though seeing
the Word, do not therefore know all things, for the inferior Angels are
purified of their ignorance by the superior Angels, as is evident from
Denis.[276] Consequently, neither do the Saints, although they see the
Word, know in It our prayers and other things which concern us.

But although it is not necessary that those who see the Word
should see all things in the Word, they none the less see those
things which belong to the