Purgatory

Danny Ong   10 April 2003

I’ve been reading a booklet called The Amazing Secret of the Souls in Purgatory – An interview with Maria Simma by Sister Emmanuel of Medjugorje.

It is a very interesting story about purgatory.

Where is Purgatory? Well, it is a place where souls choose to go to cleanse themselves of their impurity before they face God. God is so pure and perfect that sinners are unable to see Him.

During my near-death experience, I knew I was in the presence of God. But, I could not see Him. I was surrounded by such brightness that I could see nothing but light. During that time, the things that I did and said and the things that I didn’t do or say flashed across me. Well, that’s the best description I can give. Then, I was given a few choices; reject God (and you know where that leads to), redeem myself by going to Purgatory (at that time, I didn’t know what Purgatory was) or to redeem myself on earth by doing His Will.

Earlier, I said souls chose to go to Purgatory to cleanse themselves. Remember, God does not send anyone to Purgatory. The soul decides to go to cleanse itself.

So, how is Purgatory like? According to Maria Simma who was visited by souls in Purgatory asking for her help, Purgatory is a place of suffering. While on earth, when we suffer, we can still grow in love  and we can gain merits. But, the suffering of souls in Purgatory only serve as purification. They do not gain merits.

The souls in Purgatory rely completely on those who are living for their deliverance.

What can we do for the souls in Purgatory?

1. Offer mass for them.

2. Offer our sufferings, penance, etc. for their deliverance.

3. Pray for them.

4. Obtain indulgences on their behalf.

Mass is celebrated in memory of Jesus Christ, the only Son of God who suffered and died for all of us so that our sins may be forgiven. Therefore, Mass is also very helpful in delivering the souls in Purgatory.

When we are ill or fasting or doing any other penance, offer up our sacrifices for the souls in Purgatory.

Offering prayers and obtaining indulgences for the souls in Purgatory also helps their deliverance. The Rosary (all fifteen mysteries) delivers many souls from Purgatory every year. The Blessed Virgin Mary visits the souls in Purgatory. Those souls refer to Her as Mother of Mercy as she is the one who delivers them from Purgatory.

There are two types of indulgences: plenary indulgences and partial indulgences.

There are a few requirements to obtain plenary indulgences:

1. Perform the work which the indulgence is attached;

2. Perform a sacramental confession;

3. Take part in Eucharistic Communion and

4. Pray for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.

Of course, we must also be in a state of grace.

Plenary indulgences can be obtained during the following occasions:

1. adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for at least one half-hour;

2. recitation of the entire Rosary in church, as a family or in a community;

3. making the Stations of the Cross;

4. reading the Holy Scripture for at least one half-hour daily;

5. a church visit between noon of 1 November (all Saints Day) and midnight of 2 November (all Souls Day) for the intentions of the deceased;

6. visiting a cemetery, for the intention of the deceased;

7. taking part in the First Holy Communion ceremony or the first Mass of a priest, or the anniversary of 25, 50 or 60 years of priesthood;

8. renewing one’s baptismal promises during the Easter Vigil;

9. adoration of the Cross during Good Friday liturgy;

10. papal benediction, even when received listening to the radio or watching on television.

Going for confession regularly can also obtain plenary indulgence but only one plenary indulgence is permitted each day.

Partial indulgences can be obtained through acts of faith, hope and love in our everyday lives. Partial indulgences can also be obtained through acts of charity to our neighbour, voluntary fasting and spontaneous prayers or thoughts to God, Blessed Mother or the Holy Family.

Why don’t we keep the indulgences for ourselves rather than offer them for the souls in Purgatory? Remember, it is more blessed to give than to receive. Besides, the souls in Purgatory need all the help we can give them. Isn’t it an act of selfless love to offer the indulgences for the souls in Purgatory?

At the end of the day, the more we give, the more we receive. Maria Simma related a story about a woman who had helped deliver many souls from Purgatory. As she was dying, the demon and its infernal troops attacked her. Then, a group of people of great beauty who were unknown to her came to her aid and the demon took flight. She asked them who they were and they replied: “we are inhabitants of Heaven, whom your help has led to Beautitude. And we in turn come in gratitude to help you cross the threshold of eternity and rescue you from this place of anguish to bring you into the joy of the Holy City.”