Dear Parishioners,

As Catholics, we believe that there is an afterlife. We hope to someday go to Heaven and be happy with God forever. However, we recognize that any sin on our souls creates a barrier between us and God. When we sin, we are rejecting God’s plans for us and wound our relationship with the Almighty. It is not that God gives up on us. But, He respects the choices we have made in this life.

The Church also teaches that it is only mortal sin that can break this relationship with God. A mortal sin is a major sin (e.g., breaking one of the Ten Commandments) which one does with full knowledge and with the intention of committing that sin. If someone dies with a mortal sin on their soul, they are choosing to be eternally separated from God in Hell. If you think you have committed a mortal sin, then I urge you to please go to confession! God’s forgiveness can be granted to ANYONE who asks.

Since we cannot assume to know the state of someone’s soul, the Church presumes that when someone dies they are in Purgatory instead because we cannot do anything for a soul in Heaven or Hell. However, we can pray for a soul in Purgatory because we are praying that they may be forgiven and healed from their sins and that they can enter the glory of God in Heaven. They need these prayers because they are unable to pray for themselves. So, praying for them is a great act of charity since they cannot do anything to help us in return.

A soul in Purgatory knows that they will someday be in Heaven. It is where a soul that has not committed a mortal sin but has not perfected itself in this life waits to be healed. A hospital is also a place of healing. But, you would not want to be there unless you are sick. Healing can be a painful process and that is why souls in Purgatory are often portrayed as being in a state of agony. Though, on the upside, this agony is temporary. As Catholics, we should take advantage of the healing power of the sacraments in order to overcome our own faults so that we can avoid Purgatory. But, it is still infinitely better than breaking one’s relationship with God in mortal sin.

God bless!

Fr. Carter