I always feel a certain deep sadness when I pass a Protestant funeral. I think of the poor soul and pray for them but am saddened to think that my poor prayers might be the only ones ever said for the poor soul. The Catholic Doctrine on Purgatory has always seemed so logical and right to me, mirroring in death so much of what we see in life, that actions have consequences. If we are at school and do not do our homework we get corrected, if we run a red light we get fined, if we do not turn up for work we do not get paid...it just seems so right this process should continue into the next life... There was one religion whose accounts remind me a lot of the Catholic Teachings on Purgatory and that is Tibetan Buddhism. THey hold that the spirit on the point of death it very important for the soul to remian detached from illusions such as say, attachments to wealth and so on. Whent the soul dies it enters what I think they call the Bardic Realm a place which if the soul has not risen to Enlightenment can ensanre and pull them down. This reminds me a lot of Purgatory, a kind of gray decepetive place. Interestingly others are encouraged to pray for the soul of the deceased. http://www.buddhanet.net/deathtib.htm I read a lovely piece by St Francis De Sales (a Doctor of the Church) yesterday which I found consoling: http://www.goodcatholicbooks.org/francis/catholic-controversy/purgatory.html Basically what St Francis said was that just as the pains may increase after death so the joys will increase to. So if you like the spiritual life of the soul that has passed through death is much, much more intense than in life. That we are no longer living by Faith but have entered Eternal Reality. https://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2HEAVN.HTM Purgatory Is Necessary Purification Before we enter into full communion with God, every trace of sin within us must be eliminated and every imperfection in our soul must be corrected At the General Audience of Wednesday, 4 August 1999, following his catecheses on heaven and hell, the Holy Father reflected on Purgatory. He explained that physical integrity is necessary to enter into perfect communion with God therefore "the term purgatory does not indicate a place, but a condition of existence", where Christ "removes ... the remnants of imperfection". 1. As we have seen in the previous two catecheses, on the basis of the definitive option for or against God, the human being finds he faces one of these alternatives: either to live with the Lord in eternal beatitude, or to remain far from his presence. For those who find themselves in a condition of being open to God, but still imperfectly, the journey towards full beatitude requires a purification, which the faith of the Church illustrates in the doctrine of "Purgatory" (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 1030-1032). To share in divine life we must be totally purified 2. In Sacred Scripture, we can grasp certain elements that help us to understand the meaning of this doctrine, even if it is not formally described. They express the belief that we cannot approach God without undergoing some kind of purification. According to Old Testament religious law, what is destined for God must be perfect. As a result, physical integrity is also specifically required for the realities which come into contact with God at the sacrificial level such as, for example, sacrificial animals (cf. Lv 22: 22) or at the institutional level, as in the case of priests or ministers of worship (cf. Lv 21: 17-23). Total dedication to the God of the Covenant, along the lines of the great teachings found in Deuteronomy (cf. 6: 5), and which must correspond to this physical integrity, is required of individuals and society as a whole (cf. 1 Kgs 8: 61). It is a matter of loving God with all one's being, with purity of heart and the witness of deeds (cf. ibid., 10: 12f.) The need for integrity obviously becomes necessary after death, for entering into perfect and complete communion with God. Those who do not possess this integrity must undergo purification. This is suggested by a text of St Paul. The Apostle speaks of the value of each person's work which will be revealed on the day of judgement and says: "If the work which any man has built on the foundation [which is Christ] survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire" (1 Cor 3: 14-15).
3. At times, to reach a state of perfect integrity a person's intercession or mediation is needed. For example, Moses obtains pardon for the people with a prayer in which he recalls the saving work done by God in the past, and prays for God's fidelity to the oath made to his ancestors (cf. Ex 32: 30, 11-13). The figure of the Servant of the Lord, outlined in the Book of Isaiah, is also portrayed by his role of intercession and expiation for many; at the end of his suffering he "will see the light" and "will justify many", bearing their iniquities (cf. Is 52: 13-53, 12, especially vv. 53: 11). Psalm 51 can be considered, according to the perspective of the Old Testament, as a synthesis of the process of reintegration: the sinner confesses and recognizes his guilt (v. 3), asking insistently to be purified or "cleansed" (vv. 2, 9, 10, 17) so as to proclaim the divine praise (v. 15). Purgatory is not a place but a condition of existence 4. In the New Testament Christ is presented as the intercessor who assumes the functions of high priest on the day of expiation (cf. Heb 5: 7; 7: 25). But in him the priesthood is presented in a new and definitive form. He enters the heavenly shrine once and for all, to intercede with God on our behalf (cf. Heb 9: 23-26, especially, v. 24). He is both priest and "victim of expiation" for the sins of the whole world (cf. 1 Jn 2: 2). Jesus, as the great intercessor who atones for us, will fully reveal himself at the end of our life when he will express himself with the offer of mercy, but also with the inevitable judgement for those who refuse the Father's love and forgiveness. This offer of mercy does not exclude the duty to present ourselves to God, pure and whole, rich in that love which Paul calls a "[bond] of perfect harmony" (Col 3: 14). 5. In following the Gospel exhortation to be perfect like the heavenly Father (cf. Mt 5: 48) during our earthly life, we are called to grow in love, to be sound and flawless before God the Father "at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints" (1 Thes 3: 12f.). Moreover, we are invited to "cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit" (2 Cor 7: 1; cf. 1 Jn 3: 3), because the encounter with God requires absolute purity. Every trace of attachment to evil must be eliminated, every imperfection of the soul corrected. Purification must be complete, and indeed this is precisely what is meant by the Church's teaching on purgatory. The term does not indicate a place, but a condition of existence. Those who, after death, exist in a state of purification, are already in the love of Christ who removes from them the remnants of imperfection (cf. Ecumenical Council of Florence, Decretum pro Graecis: DS 1304; Ecumenical Council of Trent, Decretum de iustificatione: DS 1580; Decretum de purgatorio: DS 1820). It is necessary to explain that the state of purification is not a prolungation of the earthly condition, almost as if after death one were given another possibility to change one's destiny. The Church's teaching in this regard is unequivocal and was reaffirmed by the Second Vatican Council which teaches: "Since we know neither the day nor the hour, we should follow the advice of the Lord and watch constantly so that, when the single course of our earthly life is completed (cf. Heb 9: 27), we may merit to enter with him into the marriage feast and be numbered among the blessed, and not, like the wicked and slothful servants, be ordered to depart into the eternal fire, into the outer darkness where "men will weep and gnash their teeth' (Mt 22: 13 and 25: 30)" (Lumen gentium, n. 48). 6. One last important aspect which the Church's tradition has always pointed out should be reproposed today: the dimension of "communio". Those, in fact, who find themselves in the state of purification are united both with the blessed who already enjoy the fullness of eternal life, and with us on this earth on our way towards the Father's house (cf. CCC, n. 1032). Just as in their earthly life believers are united in the one Mystical Body, so after death those who live in a state of purification experience the same ecclesial solidarity which works through prayer, prayers for suffrage and love for their other brothers and sisters in the faith. Purification is lived in the essential bond created between those who live in this world and those who enjoy eternal beatitude. To the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors the Holy Father said: I am pleased to greet the English-speaking visitors and pilgrims present at today's Audience, especially those from England, Ireland, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan and the United States. Upon all of you I invoke the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Happy summer holidays to you all! Taken from: L'Osservatore Romano Weekly Edition in English Heaven: 28 July 1999, 7 Hell: 4 August 1999, 7 Purgatory: 11/18 August, 7
It seems to me that in this life it is very,very difficult for us to understand the next life ; something like Purgatory. For we are bound to express things in terms of what we do know and which are so inadequate for describing what we do not. But it has always seemed to me that the Dark Night of the Soul is in fact a kind of Purgatory on Earth . The Sufferings in Purgatory are more terrible than the sufferings on Earth, but the Joys of Purgatory are incomparable too. I think there are two great mistakes we cna make, the first is not to believe in Purgatory and so disregard it. Or on the other hand to fear it so much that it occludes are trust and hope in the Marcy of God. I think if our belief in the Purgatory leads us to certain reverent fear and awe of the Lord and to deeper prayer for the Holy Souls it is doing what it should do.
http://www.medjugorje.com/medjugorje/heaven-purgatory-hell/612-description-of-purgatory.html Vicka says it is a joy to suffer for these souls in Purgatory. “Purgatory is an endless space of ashy color. It was quite dark. I could feel people strangling and suffering there. The Blessed Mother told us we should be praying for souls stranded in Purgatory. She said only our prayers and sacrifices can release them from that place…The people there are helpless. They are really suffering. We can be like Jesus a little bit if we just do some voluntary penance for the souls on Purgatory, especially for the ones who are abandoned by their families on earth…I am aware of their suffering. I know some of their torment. I know how desperately they need our prayers. They are so lonely that it is almost sickening to remember those moments I was there. It is really a great joy to do penance for the poor souls because I know how much it helps them…And many of our family members who have died desperately need our prayers. The Blessed Mother says we must pray courageously for them so that they might go to Heaven. They are powerless to help themselves.”3 Mirjana’s description of Purgatory: “There are several levels in Purgatory. The more you pray on earth, the higher your level in Purgatory will be…The lowest level is the closest to hell, where the suffering is the most intense. The highest level is closest to Heaven, and there the suffering is the least. What level you are on depends on the state of purity of your soul. The lower the level the people are on in Purgatory, the less they are able to pray and the more they suffer. The higher the level a person is in Purgatory, the easier it is for him to pray, the more he enjoys praying and the less he suffers…The Blessed Mother has asked us to pray for the souls in Purgatory. They are helpless to pray for themselves. Through prayer, we on earth can do much to help them. The Blessed Mother told me that when souls leave Purgatory and go to Heaven most go on Christmas Day.”4 “Many people were there. They were suffering immensely…They were normal people, all kinds. There was much physical suffering…I could see the people shivering, thrashing, and writhing in pain…I saw this place for a short time…The Blessed Mother was with me (during the vision). She explained to me that She wanted me to see Purgatory. She said so many people on earth today do not even know about Purgatory…I could not hear them. I only saw them. The Blessed Mother said so many people who die are quite abandoned by their loved ones. They cannot help themselves in Purgatory. They are totally dependent on the prayers and sacrifices of the generous people on earth who remember them. Our Blessed Mother hopes Her own children will help the souls in Purgatory by prayer and fasting and various penance for the poor souls to make restitution for them…Those who have died no longer have free will as they had on earth. They no longer have a body. It is no longer possible for them to make up for the things that they did when they had their body that hurt and harmed themselves and others. On July 24, 1982, the Blessed Mother said:‘We go to Heaven in full conscious of the separation of the body and soul. It is false to teach people that we are reborn many times and that we pass to different bodies. One is born only once. The body, drawn from the earth, decomposes after death. It never comes back to life again. Man receives a transfigured body. Whoever has done very much evil during his life can go straight to Heaven if he confesses, is truly sorry for what he has done, and receives Communion at the end of his life.’ Our Lady said that the souls in Purgatory can see their loved ones during those moments when we pray for them by name.”5 Ivanka was asked why did the Blessed Mother show her Heaven and Purgatory: Ivanka: “She wants to remind Her children of the results of their choices here on earth.”6 Marija, through several interviews, describes Purgatory: “Purgatory is a large place.. It is foggy. It is ash gray. It is misty. You cannot see people there. It is as if they are immersed in deep clouds. You can feel that the people in the mist are traveling, hitting each other. They can pray for us but not for themselves. They are desperately in need of our prayers. The Blessed Mother asks us to pray for the poor souls in Purgatory, because during their life here, one moment they thought there was no God, then they recognized Him, then they went to Purgatory where they saw there is a God, and now they need our prayers. With our prayers we can send them to Heaven. The biggest suffering that souls in Purgatory have is that they see there is a God, but they did not accept Him here on earth. Now they long so much to come close to God. Now they suffer so intensely, because they recognize how much they have hurt God, how many chances they had on earth, and how many times they disregarded God.”7 Ivan speaks very little about his experiences in seeing Heaven, hell, and Purgatory. When asked about Purgatory, he shared the following: “The Blessed Mother told me that those who go to Purgatory are those who prayed and believed only occasionally – that they were filled with doubt, that they were not certain that God exists. They did not know how to pray while on earth, or if they did know how, they did not pray…Souls in Purgatory suffer. If no one prays for them, they suffer even more.”8
This is such a good and valuable thread.May i respectfully suggest you pin it Padraig, at least for the month of November.
I found this out last year when visiting a Shrine. Plenary Indulgences for the Holy Souls: Nov 1-8 Posted on October 31, 2012 A partial indulgence can be obtained by devoutly visiting a cemetery and praying for the departed, even if the prayer is only mental. One can gain a plenary indulgence visiting a cemetery each day between November 1 and November 8. These indulgences are applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory. A plenary indulgence, again applicable only the Souls in Purgatory, is also granted when the faithful piously visit a church or a public oratory on November 2. In visiting the church or oratory, it is required, that one Our Father and the Creed be recited. To be able to gain an indulgence, one must have the intention to gain them for a holy soul (in other words say this), and perform the works at the time and in the manner prescribed. more.... https://timothyandtitus.wordpress.com/2012/10/31/plenary-indulgences-for-the-holy-souls-nov-1-8/
Good article I just read...Gregorian Mass for a soul in Purgatory... https://timothyandtitus.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/where-can-i-get-gregorian-masses-said/ So what are you doing for our dear deceased loved ones? Who do you miss the most? Who do you wish you could have done more for in their life? Who hurt you? Who helped you the most spiritually or temporally? Have a Mass offered for them now! The Council of Trent tells us, “The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Perpetual Sacrifice, is the greatest of all suffrages for the Holy Souls.” A great avenue to have Masses offered is through the Franciscan Missions. By offering your Masses through the Franciscan Missions you are providing bread and wine for the Eucharist for a priest in mission countries. These offerings also help with liturgical expenses, books for seminarians, and ministries of the Church. These priests depend on your Masses as their lifeline. Can we help them? Can we help Christ continue His mission on and beyond this earth? And when we do help we are also being merciful to ourselves! Many parish Mass Intention Books are filled years ahead. We have an opportunity to help our deceased loved ones and our missionaries spread the Gospel and bring the Eucharist to God’s beloved poor. And what a marvelous time to do this spiritual work of mercy! The Eucharist is the source and summit of all Christian life. Let us be missionaries of the Eucharist for the Holy Souls languishing in Purgatory. What are Gregorian Masses? The name is derived from Pope St. Gregory the Great who was the first to popularize this pious practice. St. Gregory relates in his Dialogues how, when he had finished the series of thirty Masses for a departed Monk, the monk appeared to tell him he had thus gained entry into glory on completion of the Gregorian Masses. The hallowed tradition has been declared “a pious and reasonable belief of the faithful” on the authority of the Sacred Roman Congregation on Indulgences. The Gregorian Masses are offered for ONE DECEASED SOUL … not a couple or family. PUT THEM IN YOUR WILLS! And remember to have Masses offered for yourselves, special occasions, during the Holidays. It is a refreshing surprise to give someone the gift of prayer! St. Anselm tells us that those we hear or have offered during life are more profitable than those offered for us after death. In this way we shall not be at the mercy of those who remain behind. There is much truth in the proverb which says: “A candle placed before us gives more light than ten candles placed behind us.” Only by the means of the Mass can we nourish the hope of being received into Heaven immediately after death, without having to pass through the cleansing flames of Purgatory. Gregorian Masses and Masses for the Living FOR MASSES AND GREGORIAN MASSES OFFERED BY THE PIOUS UNION OF ST. JOSEPH VISIT:www.SpiritualTreasury.com Marian Helpers also provides Gregorian Mass and Individual Mass, http://www.marian.org/mass/ Capuchins Missions http://www.seraphicmass.org/ Ive used the Marians and Seraphic Mass Associations in the last year for my mom and dad. 10 dollars US per Mass
Sheol The Old Testament speaks of the abode of the dead, or Sheol. The Jews believed that the soul of the deceased stayed near the body for three days before moving on. Perhaps for that reason, Jesus waited until the 4th day before raising Lazarus to show the Jews that he was truly dead and he is the Resurrection even as he said. We also see the Maccabees making atonement for the dead (II Macc 12:46). After Jesus died on the Cross he, "went to preach to the spirits in prison" (I Peter 3:19) on Holy Saturday and then opened the gates of heaven for all those in the Bosom of Abraham (Lk 16) who awaited their salvation. The Fathers, one from the West and one from the East "To sum up, since that 'prison' which the Gospel indicates we understand to mean the place of the departed, and the 'last penny' we interpret to mean even a small fault which must be expiated there before the resurrection, no one shall doubt that the soul will pay something in the place of the departed spirits before the fullness of the resurrection in the flesh" (Tertullian -On the Soul, 58; A.D.208.) "This purification does not concern those who have arrived at a perfect love of God, but those who have not reached complete perfection, and whose virtues are mixed in with sins. These latter will appear before the tribunal of judgment, and, following an examination of their good and evil actions, they will be tried as by fire; their bad works will be expiated by a just fear and pain" (St Maximos the Confessor - Questions and Doubts on The Church, the Liturgy, and the Soul of Man, question 10; A.D. 649). Purgatorium - Final Theosis The Church has always taught of a state of purgation after death, although the term in Latin purgatorium did not exist until the 12th century. For this reason, the Church in the East did not accept the Latin term and preferred their prior term of Final Theosis. As Padraig spoke about the Dark Night of the Soul earlier as a sort of purgation even now on earth, so is theosis (becoming God-like in purification and growth in holiness). This process continues after death unless one is a saint already or in a Final Theosis after death. In fact, St John of the Cross speaks of the purgative, illuminative and unitive ways but these terms were in the East long before the saint spoke of them but he did speak of them in a great way and is a Doctor of the Church. Some in the Eastern Church (Catholic and Orthodox) refer to this journey of purification as toll houses. St. Seraphim of Sarov states that, “Two nuns, both former abbesses, were dying. The Lord revealed to me their lot beyond the grave; how their souls were led past the aerial toll-houses; how at the toll-houses they were tortured and then judged. For three days, I, the poor one, prayed, appealing to the Mother of God. The Lord in his graciousness, by the prayers of the Mother of God, has mercy upon them. They passed through the aerial toll-houses and received forgiveness from the merciful God” As St JP2 taught, Purgatory is a state of existence or a state of the soul so it is not the final ending place of anyone. It is a place of purification where the souls already saved and assured of Heaven are purified before entering into God's presence as nothing imperfect enters Heaven. For this reason, our dear Lord says, "Be Perfect . . . " (Matt 5:48). Purgatory seems to me to be very joyous even if one must suffer for ones sins and attachments for a little while because after that one is with the Lord for eternity.
Hi Jerry There is no link per se. Other than the quotes from the two church fathers, the rest is from my study over the years. The Philokalia is a good staring point but it is many volumes . I am happy to share anything if I know it
Last night, among others, we prayed in the rosary group for the soul of a young woman who died suddenly in a light air craft crash 10 years ago. She had been Christened into the Catholic Church after birth and had been Confirmed after making her First Communion as far as I understood. Like so many other young ones she had let the practice of her faith go. She was killed by a branch coming through the cockpit on crashing and hitting her head. She saved the life of her student by putting herself over her body before impact as a shield. She had not led a wild or dissolute life but obviously had not received the sacraments. Her friend who told me the story of her death said she had visited her "from a good place". I said I thought her final sacrifice was enough to receive the grace she needed to get into heaven. I quoted "No greater love is this than to lay down your life for another." "In the end we shall be judged on love." "Love covers a multitude of sins."
I am so gald that the Orthodox believe in Purgatory, I always get confused about this: http://www.ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage_print.asp?number=346289&language=en
the second paragraph states there is a level of purgatory where the soul does not profit from prayers said for them. Has anyone else heard of this? I can't imagine it being true.
Here's some other info regarding planary indulgence for those in purgatory from Fr. Z: http://wdtprs.com/blog/2015/10/2-nov-all-souls-plans-indulgences-and-you/ From the Handbook of Indulgences Visiting a Church or an Oratory on All Souls Day A plenary (“full”) indulgence, which is applicable only to the souls in Purgatory is granted to the Christian faithful who devoutly visit a church or an oratory on (November 2nd,) All Souls Day. Will you not, for love, try to gain these indulgences? Make a plan. Requirements for Obtaining a Plenary Indulgence on All Souls Day (2 Nov) Visit a church and pray for souls in Purgatory Say one “Our Father” and the “Apostles Creed” in the visit to the church Say one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary” for the Holy Father’s intentions (that is, the intentions designated by the Holy Father each month) Worthily receive Holy Communion (ideally on the same day if you can get to Mass) Make a sacramental confession within 20 days of All Souls Day For a plenary indulgence be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin (otherwise, the indulgence is partial, not plenary, “full”). You can acquire one plenary indulgence a day. A partial indulgence can be obtained by visiting a cemetery and praying for the departed. You can gain a plenary indulgence visiting a cemetery each day between 1 November and 8 November. These indulgences are applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory. A plenary indulgence, applicable only the Souls in Purgatory, is also granted when you visit a church or a public oratory on 2 November. While visiting the church or oratory say one Our Father and the Apostles Creed. A partial indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, can be obtained when saying the “Eternal rest … Requiem aeternam…” prayer. Do you know this prayer? Requiem aeternam dona ei [pl.eis], Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei [eis]. Requiescat [-ant] in pace Amen.Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. It is customary to add the second half of the “Eternal Rest” prayer after the prayer recited at the conclusion of a meal. Gratias agimus tibi, omnipotens Deus, pro universis beneficiis tuis, qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Fidelium animae, per misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace. Amen. We give Thee thanks, almighty God, for all Thy benefits, Who livest and reignest, world without end. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. My friend Fr. Finigan has a good explanation of being detached from sin and the disposition you need to gain indulgences. HERE Keep in mind that having high standards is a good thing. Shouldn’t we be free from attachment to sin? To what degree is being attached to sin okay? In the final analysis, perhaps we have to admit that gaining plenary indulgences is rarer than we would like. That said, it is not impossible to gain them. I don’t think we have to be a hermit living on top of a tree beating his head with a rock to be free of attachment to sin so as to gain this plenary or “full” indulgence. Also, we do not know the degree to which a “partial” indulgence is “partial”. It could be a lot. That in itself is something which should spur us on! Generally, if someone is motivated to obtain an indulgence, he does so from true piety, desire to please God and to help oneself and others. When it comes to complete detachment from sin, even venial, few of us live in that state all the time. Nevertheless, there are times when we have been moved to sorrow for sin after examination of conscience, perhaps after an encounter with God as mystery in liturgical worship or in the presence of human suffering, that we come to a present horror and shame of sin that moves us to reject sin entirely. That doesn’t mean that we, in some Pelagian sense, have chosen to remain perfect from that point on or that by force of will we can chosen never to sin again. God is helping us with graces at that point, of course. But we do remain frail and weak. But God reads our hearts. Holy Church offers us many opportunities for indulgences. The presupposition is that Holy Church knows we can actually attain them. They can be partial (and we don’t know to what extent that is) and full or plenary. But they can be obtained by the faithful. Holy Church is a good mother. She wouldn’t dangle before our eyes something that is impossible for us to attain. That doesn’t mean that a full indulgence is an easy thing. It does mean that we can do it. In fact, beatifications and canonizations have been more common in the last few decades and in previous centuries. The Church is showing us that it is possible for ordinary people to live a life of heroic virtue. Therefore, keep your eyes fixed on the prize of indulgences. Never think that it is useless to try to get any indulgence, partial or full, just because Perhaps you are not sure you can attain complete detachment from all sin, even venial. Before you perform the indulgenced work, ask God explicitly to take away any affection for sin you might be treasuring. Do this often and, over your lifetime, and you may find it easier and easier. Support your good project with good confessions and good communions. You need those graces. A person does not become expert in worldly pursuits overnight or without effort. Why would not the same apply to spiritual pursuits? It takes time and practice to develop skills and virtues. It takes time to develop habits of the spirit as well. We can do this. And when we fall short, we still have the joy of obtaining the partial indulgence and that’s not nothing.
I have loved reading up on apparitions and visits to Purgatory. But I think one thing would put people off the whole idea is the very severity of the sufferings inflicted. To the modern mind (including may I say myself) it seems very off putting. So can we say these are exaggerations? Imaginative embroiderings and a reflection of the severity of a bygone age? Well in the first place there is a huge consensus from Catholic saints in describing the torments and sufferings of Purgatory that I would be extremely reluctant to argue against it. It would be nice to imagine purgatory as a kind of gray misted hall ay to heaven. Unconfortable, maybe even a little unpleasant, but still some form of a waiting area. But in order to do so we would have to say we were right and countless mystics and saints wrong, which seems more than a little arrogant to me. In addition you know life itself can be very,very harsh . The fact that we may come from a society or culture that is rich enough to mute out many of the discomforts of life does not mean that life is not often very,very harsh and brutal. Look at Syria at the moment for example. I compared Purgatory to the Dark Night of the Soul. However her on Earth we have opt out clauses on many of the pains of the Night. We can go for a drink , take the dogs a walk, watch a Game, go to a show... the souls in Purgatory have no such sensory escape. Their noses are to the grindstone , so to speak. It is rather like one man who of his own free will goes to the dentist as compared to one who is kidnapped and forced to go to the dentist, so to speak. I saw a little of this sensory deprivation..a kind of Purgatory.. in the Cistercian Monastery. There there was no TV no socialising, no drinking, no smoking, no TV, very little talking , abominable food and so on...I used to observe the guys who tried to join. Some of them lasted only 24 hours. I remember one guy who puncutred like a ballon before me. He stopped shaving, seemed unable to sleep, looked very ill and as a miserable as a cat in an ocean swim. In a way that to me is Purgatory, coming face to face with the reality of God after perhaps a life time of trying to avoid or mute this reality. This is, by definition bound to cause intense pain. There is no way of avoiding it.
I don't think teenagers got up to the tricks in 1917 they have done in the last 40 or so years. God help our youth. And God help us.
I would like to share a little purgatorial penance we can all do. I am convinced God created November as a perfect Month for us to get a little foretaste of what purgatory will be like. Here in UK and indeed Ireland, November always seems to be a dark, grey, misty, foggy Month. I have come to believe this is what many describe as one of the levels of Purgatory. We can all rejoice in the purgatorial environment, and praise God for this little taste of penance, for His Glory and relief of poor holy souls. I read somewhere ages ago that it annoys God when we complain about the weather. Like complaining about the rain, or wind or sun when any of these get too uncomfortable. These are little crosses we do not choose, but can joyfully surrender to and make Heavenly Mother proud of us, by our efforts. Complaining about the rain is the most common one I get, so on account o what I read. I now say. Don't complain, God has to wash the dirt and pollution out of the atmosphere to make it nice and healthy for us. I don't mention what I read incase it comes across as rude. But I always get a pleasant reaction to my little invention to avoid complaining. I hope to God this will relieve some poor soul in purgatory or on earth who may need Gods Graces and Blessings.. Just a thought.
I was feeling a little depressed reading about Purgatory and all the sufferings. U sually it is water of a ducks back to me, but this time round it did throw me a little. I was considering to myself if I die wold I , myself have to go to Purgatory? Of course as I reviewed my behaviour over the course of even a single day I relised of course I would be goignt o Purgatory and a very hard one if i didn't mend my ways. It's never easy to face up to our shortcomings and to be honest I could only face a very little part of them . On the other hand I like to think I do good things too, for isntance I spend the first part of the day on the forum and then to mass.... and I think I make people laugh and be happy when they are with me...but there are a heap of bad things..a heap..every day..every single day..sigh. So I sat at the Shrine of Our Lady at Clonard Monastery talking to Our Lady about this hoping she shoudl cheer me up. The first thing she showed me was that one of the main reason I want to avoid Purgatory is to be better than anyone else. I want to go straight through the door to heaven with no stops. I want to better than anyone else. THis made me laugh, for it was quite true. Thoguh I never thought of this before. I think we men tend to be very competitive and this was lurking in the back of mind. I wanted to Corss the line first. Stupid but there you are. The second thing Our Lady was telling me was that there are two Purgatory's , the Purgatory on Earth, our sufferings here and the Purgatory in the next. No one ever avoided Purgatory and she asked me why I would feel proud that I did my Purgatory all in this world, if I could rather than the next? It was all purgatory, her e or there. Penance for sins and cleansing. The next thing she told me was that herself had been through Purgatory. Suffering. Not for their own sins but the sins of others not for their won Salvation (for they had no sin) but for the Redemption of all mankind. She asked me if I would not like to walk where they had walked? Of course there is no answer to that. Of course we too must bear the Cross either in this life or the next. This considerbly cheered me up. But I must admit being forced to regard my own sinfulness over the last while has been very , very hard. To make matters worse I know I have only seen a very small part of it. Back again to throwing myself utterly on the Mercy of God. At least if I have learnt nothing else as we ente r the month of the dead I have learnt this. Better to get my eyes opened a bit now than on my death bed. I understand a little better now why there is a Purgatory. God is very,very Patient.
