What is common about the saints in heaven and the souls in purgatory? They will share the heavenly homeland. Yes, while the saints live seeing God face to face, those in purgatory (the Church Suffering) are destined for this glory and blessedness. Those in purgatory are undergoing purification, being made ready to enter the presence of God. Already sharing in the merits of Christ and the fruits of His victory, the final vestiges of the earth will be stripped away. Washed in His blood and conformed to Christ, they will see His as He is.[i]
What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about “Purgatory:”
“The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. [Cf. Council of Florence (1439): DS 1304; Council of Trent (1563): DS 1820; (1547): 1580; see also Benedict XII, Benedictus Deus (1336): DS 1000.] 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. [Cf. 1 Cor 3:15; 1 Pet 1:7.] 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, Dial. 4, 39: PL 77, 396; cf. Mt 12:32-36.]” (1031)
The Trinity with Souls in Purgatory
“To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the ‘eternal punishment’ of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the ‘temporal punishment’ of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain. [Cf. Council of Trent (1551): DS 1712-1713; (1563): 1820.]” (CCC. 1472) [ii]
Seven Days of Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory
(Based on the Life and Passion of Jesus Christ)
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus,
in union with the Masses said throughout the world today,
for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere,
for sinners in the universal church,
those in my own home and within my family. Amen.[iii]
Image Credit
Giaquinto, Corrado. “The Trinity with Souls in Purgatory.” WikiMedia Commons, December 12, 2015. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Corrado_Giaquinto_-_The_Trinity_with_Souls_in_Purgatory_-_68.2_-_Minneapolis_Institute_of_Arts.jpg.
Minneapolis Institute of Arts
[i] 1 Jn 3:2-3
[ii] Catholic News Agency. “Purgatory in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.” Catholic News Agency. Accessed October 25, 2021. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource/55733/purgatory-in-the-catechism-of-the-catholic-church.
With sections from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1031 and 1472. https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/270/
[iii] “Prayers for Souls in Purgatory to Help Them Reach Their Heavenly Home.” Traditional Catholic Prayers to Inspire You. Accessed October 26, 2021. https://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/prayers-for-souls-in-purgatory.html.
[iv] Roach, Becky, Anna Krieg, and Claudine Macalisang. “3 Things You May Not Know about Purgatory (Infographic) – Catholic-Link.” Catholic, October 29, 2020. https://catholic-link.org/images/infographic-3-things-may-not-know-purgatory/.
Posted for All Souls Day| November 2, 2021
