Catholics, if we die and don't make it to Heaven but go to Purgatory to suffer until our souls are cleansed ?

Brenda, remember there is no "time" as we know it, in an infinite existence. The amount of purification one needs is the amount one needs. It is not a function of time but purification. The important thing to remember is that there is no "down" button on the purgatory elevator. If you make it that far, you will be in heaven. Peace

Here's another way of looking at Purgatory. An analogy which may help you deal with what we mean by Purgatory is the realization that the "fire" of Purgatory is actually the Love of God. Indeed, properly understood, the "fire" of Purgatory, the "fire" of Hell, and the "fire" of Heaven (for the OT speaks of Heaven as a "fiery" place quite often) is all, in truth, the SAME fire, which is the burning and unquenchable Love of Almighty God. And, depending on the disposition of a soul at the time of death, when everything else except God is stripped away from them, the soul will either be tormented by this "Fire" (i.e., Hell because the soul wants nothing to do with God), or he will be purged of lingering sin by this "Fire" (Purgatory), or he will be able to unite with the "Fire" itself (Heaven), since both the soul and the Fire share a common Nature (2 Peter 1:4)--that is, the soul has already been transformed into an image of Christ (a saint) prior to death. So, all depends on the soul's disposition. Or, look at it this way: If someone is asleep in a dark room, and someone suddenly throws open the curtains to reveal a bright, sunny day, and if the person has had a good night's sleep, and is ready to wake up, he will be able to open his eyes and greet the morning sun with no problem (i.e., Heaven). However, if the person is suffering from a horrible hang-over and has had little or no sleep at all, he will hide his face under the blankets and want nothing to do with the sun (i.e., Hell). However, if he is only a little hung-over, or still a little sleepy, he will be able to open his eyes somewhat—to tentatively look at the sunlight, as he struggles to acclimate to the morning sun (i.e., Purgatory). In essence, this is all Catholicism is saying about the Afterlife, when a Christian finally sees the ultimate Reality, which is God. If they think about it, a Protestant doesn't believe differently at all. God Bless Robin

That one is pretty hard to answers for no one truly knows. I do know that there will be a great war when the Anti-Christ will rise and try to take over. During this time there will many who will leave the Catholic Faith due to fear of being Martyred, Some will be Martyred, and few will survive. The Day of Judgment will take place I believe after the three days of darkness, though that is not the end, from my understanding there will be a time of peace afterwards, and the earth will eventually become like that of the first earth mentioned in Proverbs 8, 26, which would be Paradise on earth again. During the time of Judgment Purgatory will be closed, from there it is heaven or hell. Also from my understanding St. Uriel the Archangel (who protects against anger, anxiety, and evil people) will be telling people to repent, those who do not will be an enemy of Christ and will be executed by him. This information that I have obtains comes from many different Prophecies in which my Aunts were always looking up.

You may want to read about the Three Days of Darkness: http://www.olrl.org/prophecy/daysdark.shtml

Other Prophecies and revelations: http://www.olrl.org/prophecy/

The Prophecies and Revelations of Saint Bridget (Birgitta) of Sweden: http://www.saintbirgitta.com/index.htm

If we are pure enough to go to Heaven we may have to enter a state of purgatory where you will be purified like what you said. Purgatory was mentioned in the Torah but they called it hell where the souls are purified on hot fire just like Gold is purified before we go to Heaven

However all souls will be sent to the almighty God Jesus Christ for judgement not personal where the God Jesus Christ will decide if we go to Heaven or hell. Souls that are in purgatory will go to Heaven

Mistoday gave an excellent answer with excellent references to Purgatory. Mainly Peter 3:14-16. For Catholic Christians God is a person. Being a Catholic Christian is entering into a loving relationship with our creator. It is not like CJ or Chris's view of religion where you have a God that cranks out a gift on schedule when when you say his special prayer.

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.

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 ( 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)".

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 .

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.

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 .

God above, I mean CJ writes as if he is in charge of the spritiuality of the universe and because he thinks it and writes it, it must be true. Speaking of idoltry of ones own mind! Let us pray in love that he becomes alert to the sin a pride he exhibits.

Peter 3:18-20

Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool so as to become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: "He catches the wise in their own ruses," and again: "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain."

This is Peter 3:14-16

"If the work stands that someone built upon the foundation, that person will receive a wage. But if someone's work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"

Purgatory is a refining area on the way to heaven. If I look up and the Lord is there, from what saints describe, and the Bible, it would be the terrible day of the Lord. The saints behold the face of God in heaven and I pray that I am worthy of the words, "Welcome!" and not "Depart!"

Strange you asked this as it was asked on EWTN's question and answer page. And liked most have said once in Purgatory Heaven is there eventual reward no matter what. To the CJ's of the world they believe if you died without forgiveness say for shoplifting your going to Hell. Now to me that is not a loving understanding GOD that would send one for eternity for Shop lifting the same punishment as for a Stalin or Hitlers sins.

I've never thought about that before; it's a great question. My thoughts are that if they died in God's friendship, and even if they died on the day Christ returned, they would still make it to heaven. You're either in God's friendship or you're not.

God bless.

Is there any reason why Purgatory wouldn't be there? I would say I hope I make it to Purgatory because I am definitely not perfect and good enough to make it right to Heaven, to tell you the truth I don't know anyone who is going right to Heaven.

I agree with my Catholic Brethren on this one.

Love,

Kate

There is no difference like you posit. Purgatory is for those who do not deserve Hell and are not ready for Heaven. Why should any time be different ? And who says it is ?