1. What is Purgatory?
Purgatory is a place of temporary punishment in the next world, Hell, on the other hand, is a place of ETERNAL or everlasting punishment.
2. What does the word “Purgatory” mean?
The word “Purgatory” means “cleansing”, and Purgatory is a place where the soul is cleansed of sin.
3. Who goes to Purgatory?
People who die with grace in their souls but
1) who die with venial sin, or
2) who have not completed the punishment still due to their sins.
4. What is meant by the “punishment still due to sin”?
This means that, even though God forgives all the sins of a person who is really sorry, still He often demands that the person be punished either in this life or in the next.
For example, a boy breaks his mother’s cookie jar. Because he is sorry for it, his mother forgives him. But in order to discourage him from doing it again, she will make him pay for it out of his allowance. So, also God is a wise Father. He will forgive us our sins, but He will make us pay for the sins by punishing us in this life or in the next.
5. How do I know that there is a Purgatory?
I know there is a Purgatory
1) from the Bible: “It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from sins” (2nd Machabees 12:46).
2) from Tradition and the constant teaching and practice of the Catholic Church.
6. How does common sense tell me that there is a Purgatory?
I know that only people who die with mortal sins go to hell and that, on the other hand, no one can go into heaven with the smallest sin on his soul. So, there must be a place in the next world where small sins can be taken off the soul.
7. What are the Punishments in Purgatory?
The Punishments in Purgatory are:
1) Not being allowed to see God face to face until the time of punishment is done, and
2) other serious punishments.
“The fire of Purgatory,” says St. Augustine, “is more terrible than all that man can suffer in this life.”
8. How long will a soul have to suffer in Purgatory?
The length of time a soul spends in Purgatory depends on the number and seriousness of the sins to be atoned for.
” Amen I say to thee, thou wilt not come out from it until thou hast paid the last penny” (Matthew 5:26).
9. After a soul leaves Purgatory, where does it go?
It goes to heaven to see God and enjoy Him forever.
10. How can I shorten a person’s time in Purgatory?
I can shorten his time in Purgatory by having Masses said for him, by praying for him and doing good works for him.
“Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because the hand of the Lord has touched me” (Job 19:21).
11. Does the Bible say anything about offering sacrifices for the dead?
Yes, we read that Judas Machabeus “sent twelve thousand drachmas of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead” (2nd Machabees 12:43).
12. What is All Souls’ Day?
All Souls’ Day is the day set aside by the Church for special prayers and Masses for all the Souls suffering in Purgatory. It is celebrated every year on November 2.
13. What should I do to avoid Purgatory?
I should guard against the smallest faults and do penance for the sins already forgiven.
“Be not without fear about sin forgiven” (Ecclesiasticus 5:5).