| For those who may not fully understand the Church teaching on
Purgatory, I have set out below the definition that can be found
in the "Catechism of the Catholic Church". Dates and references
have been added in brackets where necessary and are taken from
the footnotes and the Scripture references have been fully
written out.
III The Final Purification, or Purgatory
1030 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.
1031 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 (1439 )
and Trent (1563). The tradition of the Church, by refererence to
certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:
"But if someone's work is burned up, that one will
suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire."
(I Cor 3:15)
"... so that the genuineness of your faith, more
precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire,
may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of
Jesus Christ." (1 Pet 1:7)
As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that,
before the Final Judgement, 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)
"Therefore, I say to you, every sin and blasphemy
will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven." (Mat 12:31)
1032 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." (2 Macc
12:46)
From the beginning the Church has honoured 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. (Council of Lyons II, 1274) 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 to offer our prayers for
them. (St. John Chrysostom)
"And when each feast has run its course, Job would
send for them and sanctify them, rising early and offering
holocausts for every one of them. For Job said, "It may be that
my sons have sinned and blasphemed God in their hearts." This Job
did habitually." (Job 1:5)
I hope that this information has helped your understanding of
Purgatory. God bless you.
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