Sunday, Nov. 2, is the Feast of All Souls (Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed). Mass readings: Wisdom 3:1-9; Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6; Romans 5:5-11 or Romans 6:3-9; John 6:37-40.

We pray for the souls of all the faithful departed in purgatory. It makes sense for us to reflect on the doctrine of purgatory and its roots. 

The Catholic teaching of purgatory is one of the teachings of the Church that many people struggle to understand. Non-Catholics have generally rejected this teaching, calling it unbiblical. Actually, it is quite biblical. The teaching makes sense based on what God has said to us about holiness and heaven.

The Catechism says the following on purgation and purgatory:

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 attain the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name “purgatory” to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned (1030-1031).

Not only is there a biblical basis for the teaching on purgatory, but the teaching also makes sense based on the promises contained in Scripture to those who have been called to be saints.

Scripture teaches that heaven is a place of perfect happiness where there is no more sorrow or pain, no more death, and no more tears (Revelation 21:23-24). The saints in heaven are perfectly holy, and we are thus exhorted here on earth to Strive for peace with all men, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). And regarding heaven, Scripture says, You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48).

What happens to those who die in a state of grace and friendship with God but are not yet perfect? Most of us will admit, if we were to die at this very moment, we could not honestly say we have some rough edges to our personality and struggle with certain habitual sins and shortcomings. Likewise, most of us carry within us certain sorrows, regrets or misunderstandings from the past. Despite effort, we may have not been able to fully let go of these things. We cannot take any of this with us to heaven. If we did, it would not be a place of perfect joy and total sinlessness.

Thus, the teaching on purgatory seems quite fitting, based on the promise of Jesus that we would one day be perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect, lacking in nothing. If we die before this process is complete, then something must happen after death to transform us into the glory which we have been promised and to which we have been called. “Purgatory” is this process of completion and transformation.

Obviously, we must be purged of any final imperfections, sins and sorrows before entering heaven. Every tear must be wiped from our eyes (Revelation 21:4), every sorrow left behind, and every wound healed. Only then will we be able to experience heaven. Ideally, this takes place here on earth, as we read in James 1:4: And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Yet many of us know that this process is seldom complete at death. Thus, presuming that we die in a state of grace and friendship with God, Christ will surely complete his work in us (for he is faithful to his promises) by purging us of whatever imperfections, venial sins or sorrowful effects of sins that remain. Further, all punishments due to sin are completed.