Purgatory

Purgatory is the name given to the intermediate state of suffering of those who die in the grace of God but without having fully purified their sins. It is the state of pain necessary for the soul to be completely cleansed and thus enter heaven worthily.

One cannot enter heaven with the remains of sin, since it would cause unbearable shame. However, God our Lord did not wish to send those people to hell and devised purgatory as a means of purification prior to heaven for those who die in a state of grace.

Mortal sin causes such a great rupture with God that it prevents repentance after death. Without repentance there is no room for the desire for purification that is indispensable in purgatory.

The sufferings of purgatory are temporary and are usually grouped into two:

• Pain of loss. This is the most painful. It consists in the temporary deprivation of the vision of God.
• Pain of sense. Under this heading are gathered various sufferings, also often expressed by reference to a special fire (1 Cor 3:15). Regarding its degree of pain, it is said that the greatest pain of this life is less than the smallest pain of purgatory; the sufferings of purgatory are of an intensity greater than those of this life.

It is important to pray for the souls in purgatory so that they may soon go to heaven (2 Macc 12:46). They are the people who suffer most, and our prayers are a great act of charity. Moreover, they will be very grateful to us, since the favor we do them is immense.

Some commonly given counsels are:

• Avoiding sins with firmness, so as not to need to purify them. Going to confession frequently, fostering repentance and sorrow for sins so that confession is more effective.
• Living a sacrificed life, offering those sufferings to God as purifying penance. This gives greater meaning to suffering.
• Seeking to gain indulgences, especially plenary indulgences, since each plenary indulgence completely purifies the soul.
• Drawing others closer to God. God our Lord rewards apostolic work with abundant graces that improve the soul.

The word purgatory does not appear in the Bible. However, the concept — the idea — is present in two ways: a) When the Bible recommends praying for the dead. This prayer makes no sense if they are already in heaven or hell. b) When the Bible mentions sins that will be forgiven in the next life. That is, there will be another situation in which sins are forgiven, and therefore it is neither hell nor heaven, which are eternal states. Here are some biblical texts:

• 2 Macc 12:46: "he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."
• Mt 12:32: "whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come."
• 1 Cor 3:15: "he will be saved, but only as through fire."

The Church Fathers of antiquity are unanimous on the subject of purgatory and its recommendation to pray for the dead. In particular, the custom of praying for them at Mass is very ancient (at least from the second or third century). The Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks of purgatory in nos. 1030–1032, 1472.