By Pedro Machuca – Web Gallery of Art: Image Info about artwork, Public Domain, Link
It was at the Council of Florence and Trent that faith in purgatory developed
If we have a certainty about life it is that death will one day come, it is certain; sooner or later we will come across it. What comforts us as Christians is our faith in the resurrection.
Jesus is risen and with him whoever believes in him will be raised. Perhaps, you have already asked yourself, “What will become of my relative or friend who passed away? He was a good man, but he had sins. Is he going to heaven? And if I die, but I’m not “so into God,” what will become of me? ”
Ideally, we should die in God without sin, and may have lived reconciliation with all love and gratitude. At last, if we die in Jesus Christ, in purity and without sin, surely Heaven will be our final destination, for there is the abode of the saints. We must, day after day, live the proclamation of Jesus the Savior to reach the “eternal home” which He gives to His children by Mercy.
Place of purification
It seems impossible, does not it? But many saints succeeded and they were people like us.
In any case, if we die not so holy or with some sins, the Church teaches us about Purgatory, the place of the final purification of the elect, those who died in God, but still need purification to reach the glory of Heaven.
It was at the Council of Florence and Trent that faith in purgatory developed. In the Bible, there are some passages that speak of this fire that purifies (I Cor 3,15; I Pd 1,7). The second book of Maccabees 12,46 speaks of Judas, who offered sacrifices in expiation for the sins of the deceased.
When Purgatory is mentioned, it does not concern those welcomed to Heaven or condemned to hell, it is not yet a place, but a state where purification is possible.
Thus, as in our prayers, prayers, Masses and in our fasts we are purified, those who have died can not do anything for themselves.
If those who have died can not do anything for themselves, what can the living do for those who have already left?
How to Pray for Those Who Have Died
We believe in the communion of saints and in Baptism that unites us to Christ. By means of prayers, sacrifices and, especially, by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist we pray for the deceased, for those who left us.
Finally, brothers, this is our Catholic faith.
Let us confidently live our Christian life in the constant and persevering search for holiness. Let us, with great effort, announce Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and pray for those who have departed, for deceased relatives and friends.
Let us also pray for those who have died forgotten, lost or abandoned, so that they may be purified by the fire of the Lord and come to His Kingdom.
Father Marcio do Prado
Father Márcio do Prado, born in São José dos Campos (SP), is a priest in the Canção Nova Community. Ordained on December 20, 2009, whose priestly motto is “Do it to them” (Mt 7:12), Father Márcio studied Philosophy at the Canção Nova Institute in Cachoeira Paulista; and Theology at the Mater Dei Institute in Palmas (TO). Twitter: @padremarciocn