Resurrection of the Dead

The dead will rise at the end of the world. At that time each soul will return to its body, which will acquire special qualities. United once again, body and soul will together receive at the last judgment the reward or punishment that the soul already possessed.

Reincarnation normally means that after death the soul takes on a different body, and then another, and another, in a kind of continual death sentence. This is not what happens. There is no reincarnation of the soul into another body, but a resurrection of the body with its own soul at the end of the world.

The risen and glorious bodies will have properties different from present bodies. They will be so permeated by the soul that they will enjoy many spiritual qualities similar to those possessed by the risen body of Christ. The glorious bodies will be:

• Impassible: they will no longer suffer pain or death.
• Agile, able to go wherever the soul desires.
• Subtle: capable of passing through material bodies.
• Clear and brilliant: with a radiant beauty and splendor that will vary according to the holiness each person attained in this life.

These too will rise and will have properties different from present bodies. But they will not be glorified. For example, they will be immortal but will suffer pain and will lack splendor.

More information and citations in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 988 ff.