Pray for the Souls in Purgatory
Purgatory is that state of final purification for the souls of the just, being made clean, before they enter into Heavenly bliss ( 2Samuel 12:13-14; 2Macc 12:46; Heb 12:22-23; 1Cor 3:13-15; Rev 21:27; Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1030-1032 ). Think of it as the “mudroom”, or a hot steaming shower, before showing up to the great marriage feast of Christ. Except the water in this case is more like lava. The souls in purgatory likely have some sense of joy or hope, because they know they are bound for Heaven. But first they must undergo temporal punishments and be purged of their imperfections and worldly attachments. And unless you and I are living in perfect holiness at the time of our death, we will need to be purged as well. Mystics who have communicated with these souls reveal that this purification is extremely painful, as through a fire to which nothing on earth can compare (see, for example “ An Unpublished Manuscript on Purgatory ”, or ...