On Purgatory

Purgatory and Prayer for the Deceased

November has long been associated with Masses and prayers offered in suffrage for the deceased—not only our loved ones but also those who are forgotten. Such prayers are encouraged based on our belief in Purgatory. When we profess our faith in the “communion of saints” we are saying that the whole Church is united—the Church on earth (the Pilgrim or Militant Church); the Saints in heaven (the Church Triumphant); and the Souls in Purgatory (the Church Suffering) The Church in heaven and on earth we can easily understand, but what is Purgatory?

Purgatory is a temporary state of purification for those who die in the state of grace but whose will is not fully united with God’s will, which is to say, that Christ is not yet perfected in them. It is a process cleansing from all stain of sin, the healing of all wounds, and of purification of all that is not Christ. This is required since Rev. 21:27 affirms that nothing unclean or imperfect may enter heaven.

While the term Purgatory is not found in the Bible, the same could be said of the term “Trinity” but we believe them. The roots of the doctrines are there implicitly.

In the Old Testament the Israelites believed that the dead are to be judged according to their deeds, that they are in need of God’s mercy, and that one ought to pray that they obtain that mercy. This is seen in the action of Judas Maccabees who took up a collection to have sacrifices offered in the Temple so that the sins of soldiers who died wearing pagan might be forgiven. (2 Mac 12: 39-45) This act was deemed “excellent and noble” and a “holy and pious thought.” This implies that sins are forgiven and that some form of expiation exists after death.

In the New Testament are indirect statements that point to purgatory. In addition to Rev. 21:27, in Mt. 22:1-14, the Lord’s parable of the wedding feast speaks of how a guest to the feast (heaven) improperly attired could not be admitted. In Mt 12: 32, Jesus speaks of sins being forgiven in the “age to come.”

Pope Benedict XVI said that “praying for one’s departed loved ones is a far too immediate urge to be suppressed…a most beautiful manifestation of solidarity, love, and assistance, reaching beyond the barrier of death. The happiness or unhappiness of a person dear to me, who has now crossed to the other shore, depends in part on whether I remember or forget him, he does not stop needing my love.” Let this month be a time to extend our love to those who have died.