49. What Is Purgatory?

"It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins." - 2 Machabees 12:46

Purgatory is the state of purification after death for souls who die in God's grace but still need cleansing before entering heaven. A beginner must learn this because nothing unclean enters the heavenly Jerusalem.

The catechism answer is simple: Purgatory is the purification of souls who die in grace but are not yet perfectly purified, so that they may enter heaven.

Purgatory is a mercy for the saved, not a second chance for the damned.

The question is not, "Can a soul be saved without holiness?" It cannot. The question is, "What happens to souls who die in grace but still need purification?"

God is merciful and holy. He forgives sin, but the soul must be made clean for the vision of God.

Purgatory teaches both mercy and holiness.

Only souls who die in God's grace go to purgatory. A soul dying in unrepented mortal sin does not go there.

This matters. Purgatory should not make anyone careless about mortal sin. It is not a refuge for rebellion.

The soul must live and die in grace.

The purification of purgatory removes remaining attachments, venial sins, and temporal punishment due to forgiven sin.

This purification is painful because the soul longs for God and sees more clearly the disorder sin has caused.

Yet it is full of hope because every soul in purgatory will enter heaven.

The Church prays for the faithful departed. Masses, prayers, indulgences, alms, sacrifices, the Rosary, and acts of penance may be offered for them.

This practice is charitable. The dead can no longer merit for themselves, but the living can help them by the mercy of God.

Remembering the dead is a work of love.

The holy souls in purgatory are our brothers and sisters in Christ. They are safe from damnation, but they suffer purification.

The faithful should not forget them. Families should pray for deceased parents, children, relatives, friends, priests, benefactors, and forgotten souls.

Charity reaches beyond death.

The soul must learn that nothing unclean enters heaven.

The soul must learn that purgatory is for those who die in grace.

The soul must learn to pray for the faithful departed.

The soul must learn to offer Masses, prayers, and sacrifices for the dead.

The soul must learn to seek purification now through repentance and penance.

Purgatory is the purification of souls who die in grace but are not yet perfectly purified, so that they may enter heaven.

A beginner should ask: Do I pray for the dead? Do I offer sacrifices for the holy souls? Do I seek purification now? Do I presume on purgatory while neglecting repentance?

Purgatory shows the mercy and holiness of God. He will have His children clean, and charity helps them on the way to heaven.

See also Eternal Rest and De Profundis.