PURGATORY - MYSTERY OF JUSTICE
HEAVEN OR HELL, ONE OF THE TWO WE MUST CHOOSE BY OUR LIVES.
THIS IS BECAUSE "THE UNJUST" - SUCH EITHER BY TRANSGRESSION OR THROUGH UNSATISFIED JUSTICE - "SHALL NOT POSSESS THE KINGDOM OF GOD"(1 COR. VI.9).
THE INEFABLE MERCY OF GOD, IN CONSIDERATION OF THE MERITS OF JESUS CHRIST, CREATED IN THE NEXT WORLD,
A PLACE OF PURIFICATION FOR THOSE WHO AT THE TIME OF THEIR DEATH,
ARE NOT ENTIRELY PURE.
THIS PLACE IS CALLED PURGATORY AND THE TIME SPENT THERE IS CALLED A PERIOD OF PURGATION.
Between Heaven, "the place of refreshment, light and peace." and Hell the abode of eternal torment, there is, till the day of general judgement, a middle state, called Purgatory, for those Souls that depart this life justified, but still in need of final purification. In this place of punishment and purification, of justice and mercy, dwell the Souls that have venial sins to expiate, or temporal punishment to undergo, or both. The doctrine of the Catholic Church concerning Purgatory is expressed in the following two sentences:
1) There is, in the next World, a temporary place for the atonement of such venial sins, and temporal punishments of sin, as man is found guilty of as he departs from this World.
2) The faithful can, by prayer and good works, especially by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, assist the Souls suffering in Purgatory.
Visits from the Holy Souls in Purgatory –The life of the Austrian Mystic, Maria Simma (1915-2004)
In 1940 came the first visit from a Holy Soul (a departed soul from Purgatory) –Maria was age 25. The holy soul--a man-- appeared to her in a vision one night. He was pacing back and forth in her bedroom at the foot of her bed. Confused, she called out to him and said “Who are you?” but she received no reply. Then she hopped out of bed and tried to grasp him saying “How did you get in here? Go away”, he gave no response and as she reached out to touch him he disappeared. However, as soon as she got back into bed he reappeared, pacing back and forth once again. She wondered how is it that she could readily see this man, but not speak to or touch him. She thought to herself, “Well, so long as he does not come near me” and she remained watching him and after awhile he disappeared and she remained awake pondering the meaning of what happened.
The next day she immediately went to see her parish priest, Fr. Alfons Matt, to tell him all that had happened. After I explained everything to him he said “it could be a poor soul from Purgatory. If such a thing should ever happen again, do not say “Who are you?” but say “What is it that you need from me?”
The next night the man suddenly appeared again, once again pacing back and forth. This time Maria immediately asked “What is it that you need from me?” The man suddenly stopped, turned towards her and replied “Please have three holy Masses said for my intentions and then I will be delivered.” And then he immediately disappeared and Maria said “It was then that I knew that he was a poor soul.” The next day she once again told her parish priest, Fr. Alfons Matt, what had happened and the three requested masses were said. The good priest also told her to always seek to do whatever she can to help the souls that might come to her.
Soon more souls from purgatory would come asking for her prayers and sacrifices, and thus began a lifetime apostolate for the holy souls. Over the next few years, only 2 or 3 poor souls came to her each year, but as time went on, more and more were coming to her seeking her assistance through prayers and sacrifices.
From the onset however it must be noted that Maria never sought visits from the souls in purgatory—she never called upon them or “channeled” them in any way. They always came to her without any seeking on her part. In fact the holy souls have told her that it is God in His great mercy who gives them permission to come to her to obtain sacrifices and prayers that their time in purgatory might be lessened.
In fact, during an interview by Sr. Emmanuel she was asked the following:
-What is the difference between what you are living with the souls of the departed, and the practices of spiritism (by mediums/psychics etc):?
"We are not supposed to summon up the souls - I don't try to get them to come. In spiritism, people try to call them forth. This distinction is quite clear, and we must take it very seriously. If people were only to believe one thing I have said, I would like it to be this: those who engage in spiritism (calling forth the dead, moving tables and other practices of that kind) think that they are summoning up the souls of the dead. In reality, if there is some response to their call, it is always and without exception Satan and his angels who are answering. People who practice spiritism (diviners, witches, mediums, etc.) are doing something very dangerous for themselves and for those who come to them for advice. They are up to their necks in lies. It is forbidden, strictly forbidden, to call up the dead. As for me, I have never done so, l do not do so, and I never will do so."
Some important things that the holy souls have taught her over the years:
The holy souls have repeatedly told her that the greatest help for them that they can obtain from those here on earth is the offering of holy Mass. Next to the Mass, the holy Rosary and the Stations of the Cross are very beneficial to them. Any sacrifice we make--even the smallest ones-- offered specifically for them have a great value in the eyes of God, and greatly lessen their sufferings and time in purgatory. The poor souls have told her that even the smallest prayer or sacrifice is like giving a cool glass of water to a parched sojourner travelling in the driest desert.
They normally appear to her in their normal clothes, that is, the ones that they most often wore during their lifetime, and they often have the appearance of one earnestly begging and desiring help. Sometimes they appear somewhat distraught but this presumably is to elicit compassion on the part of Maria. They normally appear to her looking as they did in the prime of their life, however children and teenagers always appear as they did right before their deaths. And while there are indeed some children in purgatory, their Purgatory is normally not very long or painful, since during their lifetimes they often could not have committed any grave sin since they did not attain much understanding or discernment, and are therefore not accountable to the extent that an adult is.
The holy souls have also told her that there are many, many degrees in purgatory, and that the lower parts of purgatory are the most difficult and the most purifying, and this is where those with grave (severe) sins go--that is, grave sins that have not been forgiven in the sacrament of Confession. As each soul makes reparation for his/her sins that they have committed against God and there fellow man, they are slowly purified and therefore they slowly make progress to the higher levels of purgatory. The souls that appear to Maria are almost always souls that are residing in the higher levels of purgatory. Essentially, the more repentant and sorrowful one is for the sins committed against God and neighbor during ones lifetime, the quicker one progresses from the lower to the higher degrees of purgatory.
The greatest complaint from the souls in Purgatory- Abandonment by their loved ones
According to Maria, the greatest "complaint" of the souls in Purgatory is how they are almost completely forgotton by their family and loved ones--that rightly complain that they receive no spiritual help from those they themselves helped so much during life! How few prayers are ever offered up for them--even at their funerals! Yet prayer is precisely what they need the most! All the beautiful memorials, celebrations, tattoo's etc done and given in their honor, while they may be good intentioned, in reality do nothing for them and in no way help to relieve them of their suffering/purification.
Existence of Purgatory
The Church from the time of the apostles has believed in a state of purgation (cleansing), and that after death where the dead could not help themselves yet could be helped by prayers of those on earth. the Old Testament and Jewish tradition of the century before Christ held that it was "a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins." (2 Macabees, 12,46).
Reason demands belief in the existence of purgatory. If a man dies with some slight stain on his soul, a sin of impatience, or an idle word, is he fit to enter heaven? God's sanctity forbids it: "There shall not enter into it anything defiled." (Apoc. 21:27). But must such a soul be consigned to hell? God's mercy and justice forbid it.
Therefore reason concludes the existence of a middle and temporay state of expiation, where the souls is cleansed from all the stain of sin before it can be admitted into the perfect holiness and bliss of heaven. "Amen, I say to thee, thou will not come out from it until thou hast paid the last penny" (Matt. 5:26).
New Testament passages supporting purgatory : Matt:25-26; 12:32-36, Luke 12:58-59.
What we can do
1. In every prayer you say, every Mass you hear, every Communion you receive, every good work you perform have the express intention of imploring God to grant you a holy and happy death and no purgatory.
2. Always wish to do God's will. When you do or seek anything that is not God's will you are sure to suffer.
Say, therefore, fervently each time you recite the Our Father: thy will be done.
3. Accept all sufferings, sorrows, pains and disapointments in life, be they great or small as coming from God. Bear them calmly and patiently for love of Him and in penance for your sins. Offer your sacrifices for the Holy Souls.
4. Christ's life and actions are so many lessons for us to imitate.
The greatest act in his life was His Passion. As He had a Passion so each one of us has a Passion. Our Passion consists in the sufferings and labours of every day. Therefore let us do our work, accept its disappointments and hardships and bear our pains in union with the Passion of Christ.
5. Forgive all injuries and offences for in proportion as we forgive others God forgives us.
6. Avoid mortal sins, deliberate venial sins and break off bad habits. Above all avoid sins against charity and chastity in thought, word and deed for these sins are the reason why many souls are detained in Purgatory for long years.
7. If afraid of doing much do many little things, acts of kindness and charity, give alms, cultivate regularity, method, punctuality in the performance of duty; don't grumble or complain when things are not as you please; don't censure and complain of others; never refuse to do a favour to others when it is possible.
These and such little acts are a splendid penance.
8. Do all in your power for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Pray for them constantly, get others to do so, offer Masses for the Holy Souls , say the Rosary, do the Way of the Cross, assist in Mass. Do all this for their intentions the Holy Souls will repay you most generously.
9. There is no more powerful way of obtaining from God a most holy and happy death by weekly confession, daily Mass and daily Communion.
10. A daily visit to the blessed Sacrament - it need only be three or four minutes - is an easy way of obtaining the same grace. Kneeling in the presence of Jesus with eyes fixed on the Tabernacle, sure that He is looking at us, let us for a few minutes repeat some little prayer like these: My Jesus mercy. My Jesus have pity on me a sinner. My Jesus I love you. My Jesus give me a happy death. Anyone and everyone are welcome to stay in the Adoration chapel.
Prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
Prayer to Saint Michael
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
Save a Soul from Hell in Three Seconds
Everytime you pray the prayer below, you will save a person from going to eternal damnation. You can save sixty souls from Hell in time it takes to boil a three-minute egg.
Incredible, but true. Such is the power of the names of Jesus and Mary. Such is the power of love.
Many souls go to Hell because no one prays for them. Here is the prayer:
"Jesus, Mary I love you, save souls, save the consecrated."
After saving them from Hell we can now actively help them to go to Heaven. Here is another means of giving them succour:
Prayer of Saint Gertrude the Great
A Prayer which would release 1,000 souls from Purgatory each time it is said.
Our Lord told St. Gertrude the Great the following prayer would release 1,000 souls from purgatory each time it is said.
"Eternal Father, I offer thee the most Precious Blood of thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the World today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen."
Prayer for Aborted Infants
Dear little infant Jesus, in honor of Thy Holy Birth, and through the Holy Mother, I pray that the innocents who will this day be murdered may find refuge and eternal glory before the throne of our Heavenly Father.
Recite the Apostles Creed.
That all who were born this day may reach everlasting life through Jesus Christ, Mary, Joseph.
One Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.
Holy Water
In the Home
Take an empty bottle to the parish church, fill it with Holy Water and bring it back home for the spiritual and temporal protection of the family. It should not be tucked away in a remote corner but be made available to all.
Holy Water is a sacramental that helps us to be sorry for sin. Because of the blessing attached to it, Holy Church strongly urges its use upon Her children, especially when dangers threaten such as fire, storms, sickness and other calamities. Every home should always have a supply of Holy Water in it.
Disposes Us to Sorrow for Sin
Keep your soul beautifully pure in God's sight by making the Sign of the Cross reverently while saying:
"By this Holy Water and by Thy Precious Blood wash away all my sins, O Lord."
*this doesn't replace confession.
The Holy Souls Long For It
Only in Purgatory can one understand ardently the poor souls long for Holy Water. If we desire to make a host of intercessors for ourselves, let us try to realize now some of their yearnings and never forget them at the Holy Water font.
When sprinkling Holy Water for your departed loved ones, your friends, etc., do not forget the priests, especially those of your own parish, who have served you so faithfully and brought you closer to God, through the sacraments and holy masses, etc. In gratitude, you should give them sprinklings of Holy Water several times daily and have masses offered up for the repose of their souls.
Sprinkle a few drops of Holy Water and pray fervently:
"O God, in your Mercy multiply these drops into as many drops of Holy Water as there are Souls in Purgatory, and allow them not to feel the pains of Purgatory, as long as the moisture of Holy Water is present."
You are encourage to install Holy Water fonts in your Homes and give everyone an opportunity to bless themselves. Whenever the faithful make the Sign of the Cross devoutly with Holy Water and pray "in the Name of the Father..." they gain a partial indulgence.
The Church from the time of the apostles has believed in a state of purgation (cleansing), and that after death where the dead could not help themselves yet could be helped by prayers of those on earth. the Old Testament and Jewish tradition of the century before Christ held that it was "a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins." (2 Macabees, 12,46).
Reason demands belief in the existence of purgatory. If a man dies with some slight stain on his soul, a sin of impatience, or an idle word, is he fit to enter heaven? God's sanctity forbids it: "There shall not enter into it anything defiled." (Apoc. 21:27). But must such a soul be consigned to hell? God's mercy and justice forbid it.
Therefore reason concludes the existence of a middle and temporay state of expiation, where the souls is cleansed from all the stain of sin before it can be admitted into the perfect holiness and bliss of heaven. "Amen, I say to thee, thou will not come out from it until thou hast paid the last penny" (Matt. 5:26).
New Testament passages supporting purgatory : Matt:25-26; 12:32-36, Luke 12:58-59.
What we can do
1. In every prayer you say, every Mass you hear, every Communion you receive, every good work you perform have the express intention of imploring God to grant you a holy and happy death and no purgatory.
2. Always wish to do God's will. When you do or seek anything that is not God's will you are sure to suffer.
Say, therefore, fervently each time you recite the Our Father: thy will be done.
3. Accept all sufferings, sorrows, pains and disapointments in life, be they great or small as coming from God. Bear them calmly and patiently for love of Him and in penance for your sins. Offer your sacrifices for the Holy Souls.
4. Christ's life and actions are so many lessons for us to imitate.
The greatest act in his life was His Passion. As He had a Passion so each one of us has a Passion. Our Passion consists in the sufferings and labours of every day. Therefore let us do our work, accept its disappointments and hardships and bear our pains in union with the Passion of Christ.
5. Forgive all injuries and offences for in proportion as we forgive others God forgives us.
6. Avoid mortal sins, deliberate venial sins and break off bad habits. Above all avoid sins against charity and chastity in thought, word and deed for these sins are the reason why many souls are detained in Purgatory for long years.
7. If afraid of doing much do many little things, acts of kindness and charity, give alms, cultivate regularity, method, punctuality in the performance of duty; don't grumble or complain when things are not as you please; don't censure and complain of others; never refuse to do a favour to others when it is possible.
These and such little acts are a splendid penance.
8. Do all in your power for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Pray for them constantly, get others to do so, offer Masses for the Holy Souls , say the Rosary, do the Way of the Cross, assist in Mass. Do all this for their intentions the Holy Souls will repay you most generously.
9. There is no more powerful way of obtaining from God a most holy and happy death by weekly confession, daily Mass and daily Communion.
10. A daily visit to the blessed Sacrament - it need only be three or four minutes - is an easy way of obtaining the same grace. Kneeling in the presence of Jesus with eyes fixed on the Tabernacle, sure that He is looking at us, let us for a few minutes repeat some little prayer like these: My Jesus mercy. My Jesus have pity on me a sinner. My Jesus I love you. My Jesus give me a happy death. Anyone and everyone are welcome to stay in the Adoration chapel.
Prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
Prayer to Saint Michael
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.
Save a Soul from Hell in Three Seconds
Everytime you pray the prayer below, you will save a person from going to eternal damnation. You can save sixty souls from Hell in time it takes to boil a three-minute egg.
Incredible, but true. Such is the power of the names of Jesus and Mary. Such is the power of love.
Many souls go to Hell because no one prays for them. Here is the prayer:
"Jesus, Mary I love you, save souls, save the consecrated."
After saving them from Hell we can now actively help them to go to Heaven. Here is another means of giving them succour:
Prayer of Saint Gertrude the Great
A Prayer which would release 1,000 souls from Purgatory each time it is said.
Our Lord told St. Gertrude the Great the following prayer would release 1,000 souls from purgatory each time it is said.
"Eternal Father, I offer thee the most Precious Blood of thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the World today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen."
Prayer for Aborted Infants
Dear little infant Jesus, in honor of Thy Holy Birth, and through the Holy Mother, I pray that the innocents who will this day be murdered may find refuge and eternal glory before the throne of our Heavenly Father.
Recite the Apostles Creed.
That all who were born this day may reach everlasting life through Jesus Christ, Mary, Joseph.
One Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.
Holy Water
In the Home
Take an empty bottle to the parish church, fill it with Holy Water and bring it back home for the spiritual and temporal protection of the family. It should not be tucked away in a remote corner but be made available to all.
Holy Water is a sacramental that helps us to be sorry for sin. Because of the blessing attached to it, Holy Church strongly urges its use upon Her children, especially when dangers threaten such as fire, storms, sickness and other calamities. Every home should always have a supply of Holy Water in it.
Disposes Us to Sorrow for Sin
Keep your soul beautifully pure in God's sight by making the Sign of the Cross reverently while saying:
"By this Holy Water and by Thy Precious Blood wash away all my sins, O Lord."
*this doesn't replace confession.
The Holy Souls Long For It
Only in Purgatory can one understand ardently the poor souls long for Holy Water. If we desire to make a host of intercessors for ourselves, let us try to realize now some of their yearnings and never forget them at the Holy Water font.
When sprinkling Holy Water for your departed loved ones, your friends, etc., do not forget the priests, especially those of your own parish, who have served you so faithfully and brought you closer to God, through the sacraments and holy masses, etc. In gratitude, you should give them sprinklings of Holy Water several times daily and have masses offered up for the repose of their souls.
Sprinkle a few drops of Holy Water and pray fervently:
"O God, in your Mercy multiply these drops into as many drops of Holy Water as there are Souls in Purgatory, and allow them not to feel the pains of Purgatory, as long as the moisture of Holy Water is present."
You are encourage to install Holy Water fonts in your Homes and give everyone an opportunity to bless themselves. Whenever the faithful make the Sign of the Cross devoutly with Holy Water and pray "in the Name of the Father..." they gain a partial indulgence.
The Libera Me
Deliver me, O Lord, from eternal death in that awful day:
When the heavens and the earth shall be moved.
When you shall come to judge the world by fire.
Dread and trembling have laid hold on me, and I fear exceedingly because of the judgement and the wrath to come.
When the heavens and the earth shall be shaken.
On that day, that day of wrath of sore distress and all wretchedness, that great and exceeding bitter day,
When You shall come to judge the world by fire,
Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen.
When the heavens and the earth shall be moved.
When you shall come to judge the world by fire.
Dread and trembling have laid hold on me, and I fear exceedingly because of the judgement and the wrath to come.
When the heavens and the earth shall be shaken.
On that day, that day of wrath of sore distress and all wretchedness, that great and exceeding bitter day,
When You shall come to judge the world by fire,
Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen.
Psalm 130 - De Profundis
Out of the depths have I called You, O Lord;
Lord, hear my voice;
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
If You, Lord, were to note what is done amiss,
O Lord, who could stand?
For there is forgiveness with You;
therefore You Shall be feared.
I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for Him;
in His word is my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord,
more than watchmen for the morning.
more than watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, wait for the Lord,
for with the Lord there is mercy;
With him there is plenteous redemption,
and He shall redeem Israel from all their sins.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.
Lord, hear my voice;
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
If You, Lord, were to note what is done amiss,
O Lord, who could stand?
For there is forgiveness with You;
therefore You Shall be feared.
I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for Him;
in His word is my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord,
more than watchmen for the morning.
more than watchmen for the morning.
O Israel, wait for the Lord,
for with the Lord there is mercy;
With him there is plenteous redemption,
and He shall redeem Israel from all their sins.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines purgatory as a “purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven,” which is experienced by those “who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified” (CCC 1030). It notes that “this final purification of the elect . . . is entirely different from the punishment of the damned” (CCC 1031).
The purification is necessary because, as Scripture teaches, nothing unclean will enter the presence of God in heaven (Rev. 21:27) and, while we may die with our mortal sins forgiven, there can still be many impurities in us, specifically venial sins and the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven.
What Happens in Purgatory?
When we die, we undergo what is called the particular, or individual, judgment. Scripture says that “it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Heb. 9:27). We are judged instantly and receive our reward, for good or ill. We know at once what our final destiny will be. At the end of time, when Jesus returns, there will come the general judgment to which the Bible refers, for example, in Matthew 25:31-32: “When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” In this general judgment all our sins will be publicly revealed (Luke 12:2–5).
Augustine said in The City of God that “temporary punishments are suffered by some in this life only, by others after death, by others both now and then; but all of them before that last and strictest judgment” (21:13). It is between the particular and general judgments, then, that the soul is purified of the remaining consequences of sin: “I tell you, you will never get out till you have paid the very last copper” (Luke 12:59).
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