Journey In The Catholic Church: What Is Purgatory

So many people will say that there is no such place as Purgatory. If we look at the bible we will see that certain individuals were asking for prayer for someone that had died. I would definitely suggest checking out books on the early church fathers at this link http://rest.ebay.com/epn/v/find/item.rss?keyword=%28catholic+purgatory%2Cearly+church+fathers%29&categoryId1=267&exclCategoryId1=11116&sortOrder=BestMatch&programid=1&campaignid=5337418554&toolid=10039&listingType1=All&lgeo=1&feedType=rss . In fact in Second Maccabees chapter 12 verse 39 to 46 we see Judas Maccabees praying for the dead. " The scripture can be seen below.

Judas Maccabees
1842

³⁹ Next day, they came to find Judas (since the necessity was by now urgent) to have the bodies of the fallen taken up and laid to rest among their relatives in their ancestral tombs.

⁴⁰ But when they found on each of the dead men, under their tunics, objects dedicated to the idols of Jamnia, which the Law prohibits to Jews, it became clear to everyone that this was why these men had lost their lives.

⁴¹ All then blessed the ways of the Lord, the upright judge who brings hidden things to light,

⁴² and gave themselves to prayer, begging that the sin committed might be completely forgiven. Next, the valiant Judas urged the soldiers to keep themselves free from all sin, having seen with their own eyes the effects of the sin of those who had fallen;

⁴³ after this he took a collection from them individually, amounting to nearly two thousand drachmas, and sent it to Jerusalem to have a sacrifice for sin offered, an action altogether fine and noble, prompted by hisbelief in the resurrection.

⁴⁴ For had he not expected the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead,

⁴⁵ whereas if he had in view the splendid recompense reserved for those who make a pious end, the thought was holy and devout. Hence, he had this expiatory sacrifice offered for the dead, so that they might be released from their sin. "

Here is a link to some excellent reading on Purgatory in the Catholic Church http://rest.ebay.com/epn/v1/find/item.rss?keyword=catholic+purgatory&categoryId1=267&exclCategoryId1=11116&sortOrder=BestMatch&programid=1&campaignid=5337418554&toolid=10039&listingType1=All&lgeo=1&feedType=rss . Here is another link to some excellent reading on the subject of Purgatory http://rest.ebay.com/epn/v1/find/item.rss?keyword=purgatory&categoryId1=267&exclCategoryId1=11116&sortOrder=BestMatch&programid=1&campaignid=5337418554&toolid=10039&listingType1=All&lgeo=1&feedType=rss . My only advise is always be aware that if something is written by non-Catholics you may get an incorrect view on the subject. There just seems to be way too much information going around and it always confuses others outside of the Catholic Faith. Now back to the subject.

By Molleno [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Saint Francis Rescuing Souls In Purgatory

Purgatory is a place of purification for those that have passed away. Why do we need this purification you might ask. Well because nothing unclean can enter Heaven. This can actually be seen in scripture. It is found in Revelation chapter 21 verse 27 " ²⁷ Nothing unclean may come into it: no one who does what is loathsome or false, but only those who are listed in the Lamb's book of life."

"This one of the paitnings from "Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry". This shows purified souls in Purgatory showing souls trapped in water, fire, on rocky and grassy land where the are rescued by Angels. Beasts (probably Demons) surround a soul."

I think the best example of purgatory is in the new testament. It is first Corinthians Chapter 3 verses 11 through 15. It basically shows that our sins will be revealed with fire. So what does the fire do, well it purifies us as metal is purified by fire. "

¹¹ For nobody can lay down any other foundation than the one which is there already, namely JesusChrist.

¹² On this foundation, different people may build in gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay or straw

¹³ but each person's handiwork will be shown for what it is. The Day which dawns in fire will make it clear and the fire itself will test the quality of each person's work.

¹⁴ The one whose work stands up to it will be given his wages;

¹⁵ the one whose work is burnt down will suffer the loss of it, though he himself will be saved; he will be saved as someone might expect to be saved from a fire."

By Herzi Pinki (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Here are some links to some excellent articles that can explain things much better than I can. I would ask whoever reads them to read the entire article. Here are the links http://www.catholic.com/blog/tim-staples/is-purgatory-in-the-bible , https://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/HOW2PURG.HTM and http://www.catholic.com/tracts/purgatory

Virgin and Child with Souls in Purgatory
Date circa 1650

Finally I would also ask that you take a look in the Catechism of the Catholic Church for information about Purgatory. Here is a link to the Catholic Catechism online http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/epub/index.cfm?p=20-paragraph21.xhtml%23para1030 . Here is a link to various books on the Catechism of the Catholic church http://rest.ebay.com/epn/v1/find/item.rss?keyword=catholic+catechism&categoryId1=267&exclCategoryId1=11116&sortOrder=BestMatch&programid=1&campaignid=5337418554&toolid=10039&listingType1=All&lgeo=1&feedType=rss . I came across this information on purgatory at catholic answers so check out the link http://www.catholic.com/tracts/purgatory .