Purgatory
Hi! This is John Nemmer again. I would like to talk with you about Purgatory. Now, Purgatory is a place of purification where souls go after death if they really tried to live a holy life, but didn’t become Saints when they passed. Purgatory isn’t a second chance for those who didn’t live faithfully to God, it’s for people who pass away in venial sin. God loves us so much. He knew we all would sin, and possibly wouldn’t be ready to live with Him right after we die. So He in His great mercy, found a way to purify us so we could join the Communion of Saints someday.
In Purgatory, souls suffer as they get purified. This suffering is spiritual and won’t be like anything we could experience on Earth. The greatest suffering of the holy souls is the longing to see God. When someone dies, they go before God in all His glory. He in His judgment lovingly shows that person how faithfully they lived for Him on Earth. The soul becomes fully aware of its present state. God respects the souls free will and judgement to go to Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory.
Purgatory is the place of hope for both the deceased and people who have lost loved ones. Our prayers for the souls in Purgatory can help them get into Heaven sooner. The greatest prayer we can offer for souls is the Holy Mass. Let us pray for those who we know that have died so they might be welcomed into Heaven by the loving arms of our merciful God someday.
May the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, the help of the Holy Spirit, and the glory of God the Father be with you all! Amen.
John is a regular writer for SGYM3 and shares insights and prayer language from the heart. He is a parishioner at St. Greg's and you can find John faithfully at Mass every week with his loving family. Feel free to say "hi" when you see him!
