Answer to: "What is purgatory?"
Hey everyone. Thanks for reading : )
Today's topic is purgatory.
I'm guessing that some of you are wondering what exactly purgatory is, or have vaguely heard about it and are confused.
That's why I'm here to help!
So, right off the bat, I'll throw a lot of information at you, and later, I'll summarize.
This is from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1030-1032:
"All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.
The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:
'As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.'
-St. Gregory the Great
This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." [Sidenote: 2 Maccabees 12:46] From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:
'Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and offer our prayers for them.' "
-St. John Chrysostom
So, what does that all mean?
The Bible mentions a "fire" that some may have to enter before they are able to go to Heaven. Example passages:
"For other foundation no man can lay, but that which is laid; which is Christ Jesus. Now if any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay stubble: Every man's work shall be manifest; for the day of the Lord shall declare it, because it shall be revealed in fire; and the fire shall try every man's work, of what sort it is. If any man's work abide, which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work burn, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire."
-1 Corinthians 3:11-15
"So that the genuineness of your faith- being more precious than gold, that, though perishable, is tested by fire- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
-1 Peter 1:7 (This also makes reference to a "fire" of sorts)
So, to summarize all the complex wording above:
Purgatory is a place that people go temporarily after death before they are allowed into Heaven. They go here if they died with venial sins (see this for more info. on venial sins) that were not confessed, or for those who have not done penance for things they did and confessed on Earth. It IS NOT HELL. Let me make that clear.
Traditionally, in the Catholic Church, we pray for all those who are currently in purgatory to help them get through it. You may see this in Mass where we pray for all the departed. We are asking God for forgiveness for them that they may enter into Heaven.
Now, I will beg: Please ask questions! I need some more topics! If you like reading this and learning more about Catholicism, ask some questions! Anything! It can be about whatever you want. Please do it!? Ok, done with the begging.
Remember to recognize the beauty in all that He's created, and thank Him for it. I've been trying to do this lately. For example, the night sky with the stars.
May God bless all of you, and keep you safe.
Your sister and witness in Christ,
Emily
3 comments
I am guessing that the amount of time somebody is in purgatory depends on the sins and how many and what they were specifically?
Also, you say that it is venial sins that have not been confessed. If I remember right it was only mortal sins that you were required to confess via the Sacrament of Reconciliation and recommended that you confess all. So does this mean just the venial that you haven\'t confessed through either reconciliation or through prayers and such combined? Or do all the ones you don\'t confess specifically through the sacrament of reconciliation cause you to go to purgatory?
Great questions.
Question 1: Yes, yes, and yes.
Question 2: To summarize mortal sins again, if you do not confess them or have the intent to confess them before you die, you go straight to Hell. I believe that purgatory is for venial sins that you didn\'t confess. It\'s also important to remember to do your penance for confessed sins, because that adds to purgatory time as well.
I do not understand , you said if you have mortal sins and have not confessed but have the intention to do and die , you go to hell??? but your intention was to confess, but died, so you did feel guilty for what you did............