La Leçon de catéchisme (Catechism Lesson), 1890, by Jules-Alexis Muenier (1863-1942), oil on canvas, Musée des beaux-arts et d’archéologie de Besançon

Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you, but do so with gentleness and reverence.”

cf. 1 Peter 3:15-16

catechesis

A daily morsel of Catholic education and faith formation.

Purgatory

Existence of …

QUESTION OR COMMON OBJECTION:

Purgatory is not necessary. You’re either saved or not saved.

CATHOLIC ANSWER:

Purgatory is only for the saved. It’s a place or state where those who died in God’s friendship are made perfect so they can enter heaven, of which St. John writes…

Nothing unclean will enter it.”

Revelation 21:27

Other References: Mt 12:32; 1 Pt 3:19-20; 1 Cor 3:15; Lk 12:59; 2 Mac 12:44-46; Heb 12:14; CCC 1030-1032, see also 1033-1041.

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From the Author

It is God’s will that all may come to know him, and may be saved in Jesus Christ: “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 …. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect…” (CCC 1030, 1031). Some of our non-Catholic friends get needlessly hung up on the word, purgatory. Yet the Church could have called it something else. What’s important to understand and reflect on is there is, indeed, scriptural evidence of this doctrine of faith, for we know that nothing unclean will enter heaven (Rev 21:27).

Catholic answers

Jimmy Akin

Dr. Scott Hahn answers question about Purgatory and more…

catechism of the Catholic Church

For information about what the Catholic Church believes, answers to FAQs, and an encompassing resource addressing common objections and misconceptions non-Catholics and Catholics alike may have about the Church and what it teaches, we invite you to visit the online version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

PRAYER

Let us pray.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.