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I Believe in Life Everlasting
The Christian who united their own death to that of Jesus views it as a step forward towards Him and an entrance into everlasting life. When the Church for the last time speaks Christ�s words of pardon and absolution over the dying Christian, seals that one for the last time with a strengthening anointing, and gives that person Christ in viaticum as nourishment for the journey, she speaks with gentle assurance:

Go forth, Christian soul, from this world in the name of God the almighty Father, who created you, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who suffered for you, in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out upon you. Go forth, faithful Christian! May you live in peace this day, may your home be with God in Zion, with Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, with Joseph, and with all the Angels and Saints. May you return to your Creator who formed you from the dust of the earth. May Holy Mary, the Angels, and all the Saints come to meet you as you go forth from this life. May you see your Redeemer face to face.
The Particular Judgment
Death puts an end to human life as the time opens to either accepting or rejecting the divine grace manifested in Christ. The New Testament speaks of judgment primarily in its aspect of the final encounter with Christ in his second coming, but also repeatedly affirms that each will be rewarded immediately after death in accordance with his works of faith. The parable of the poor man, Lazarus, and the words of Christ on the Cross to the good thief, as well as other New Testament texts speak of a final destiny of the soul, a destiny of union with God or separation from him.

Each person receives his eternal retribution at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers to his life to Christ. He may enter immediately into the blessedness of heaven, or he may enter the all holy sight of God, only after a further purification in Purgatory, or he may be separated from God for all eternity.
At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love.
Heaven
Those who die in God�s grace and friendship and are perfectly purified, live for ever with God. They will be like God, and they shall see him face to face. This perfect life with the Trinity, this communication of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the Angels and all the Blessed, is called Heaven. Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme definitive happiness. To live in Heaven is to be with Christ. The elect live in Christ, and they retain, or indeed find, their true identity in him. By his death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has opened Heaven for us. The life of the blessed consists in the full and perfect possession of the fruits of the redemption accomplished by Christ. He makes partners in his heavenly glorification those who have believed in him and remained faithful to his will. Heaven is the blessed community of all who are perfectly incorporated into Christ.

The mystery of Blessed communion with God and with all who are in Christ is beyond all understanding and description. Scripture speaks of it in images: life, light, peace, wedding feast, wine of the kingdom, the Father�s house, the heavenly Jerusalem, paradise. �No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.� (Cor.2:9) Because God is pure Spirit, God cannot be seen. We can become aware of his existence by use of our reason but it is only because he has revealed himself to us that we can penetrate into his mystery, through his grace. The Church calls this contemplation of God in his heavenly glory the beatific vision, the sight of God which makes us happy.

The blessed in heaven continue to know their dear ones who are still on earth in their state of trial. Because they are so close to Christ our King they can ask him to shower graces on their loved ones. (Rev. 22:5)

Final Purification in Purgatory
Those who die in God�s love and friendship with the new life of sanctifying grace are saved. Nevertheless, if at the time of their death they still require further purification they enter Purgatory, which is like an anti-room to heaven. The Church gives the name Purgatory to the final purification of the elect. Purgatory is entirely different from the punishment of those who have been condemned. The Church in her councils has taught this doctrine on Purgatory. The Councils expressed the long Tradition of the Church and the teaching of important texts of Scripture where we read of a cleansing fire (Cor. 3:15, 1Pt 1:7).

This teaching on Purgatory is also based on the Church�s teaching that we should pray for the dead. Even in the Old Testament we read, �Therefore Judas Maccabeus made atonement for the dead that, they might be delivered from their sin� (2 (Macc.12:46). From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers for them, above all the Eucharistic Sacrifice. Thus purified, those whom we love may enter quickly into the happiness of union with God. We can also help them through our almsgiving, and our works of penance for them, and any indulgences we may gain on their behalf. St John Chrysostom says: �Let us help and commemorate them. If Job�s sons were purified by their father�s sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.

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