Catechism on Judgement and Purgatory

My Dear Parishioners,

Here we are in the first weekend of November. Just think, our children and grandchildren are already halfway through their Fall semesters. Moreover, the football season is already half over, Go Birds! Many of the Fall sports that our children and grandchildren play are also half over. Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away, and then, of course the countdown to Christmas will begin.

In last weekend’s bulletin, I asked you to reflect on the “end.” I also hope that you joined in praying the Litany of the Saints in preparation for our celebration of All Saints Day.

Monday, November 2, we continue our remembrance of the Faithfully Departed with our observance of the Commemoration of the Faithfully Departed. Masses on All Souls Day are 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

In this bulletin, I have included instructions from the Catechism on Judgement and Purgatory. I have also included a Litany for the Souls in Purgatory. Like us, they are a part of the Communion of Saints. They are being purified and prepared for Heaven. They include many of our own personal family and friends. They include many others we have never personally met.

Let us continue to lay siege to Heaven on behalf of the Souls suffering in Purgatory. Since they are our family and friends by order of Grace, the prayers and sacrifices we make on their behalf will be richly rewarded.

May St. Joseph and all of God’s Holy Angels and Saints pray for us!

Fr. Michael J. Pawelko, Pastor

Catechism of the Catholic Church

I. THE PARTICULAR JUDGMENT

1021 Death puts an end to human life as the time open 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 and 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 which can be different for some and for others: Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this, the judgment, so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await Him (Hebrews 9: 27-28).

1022 Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers his life to Christ: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven—through a purification or immediately—or immediate and everlasting damnation. At the evening of life, we shall be judged on our love. — St John of the Cross

III. THE FINAL PURIFICATION, OR PURGATORY

1030 All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire. As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come. — St. Gregory the Great

1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: “Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin. 2 Maccabees: 12:46.” From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead: 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. — St. John Chrysostom