November: the month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
In previous columns I’ve written about the particular devotion that’s associated with different months of the church year. We’ve already covered September devoted to Our Lady of Sorrows, and October dedicated to the Rosary. This month of November that we’ve entered into is the month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
First it’s good to have an understanding of what purgatory is and what it’s not. The Catechism of the Catholic Church 1030 states that those 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.” This process of purification is what’s come to be known as purgatory. From the above definition it’s important to note that those who enter into purgatory, will not go to hell, they will enter into heaven, but after purification. I heard Bishop Sklba put this dynamic into perspective when he said, “purgatory is a hallway to heaven, not a holding tank on the way to hell.”
To put the above definition from the Catechism into a concrete situation and to explain why we need purification, imagine you just went to Confession and confessed your sins to the best of your ability. Through the merits of Jesus’ death on the cross all of your sins are completely forgiven. Praise God! The moment of absolution is one of the most freeing life moments in life as a Christian. That being said, speaking from personal experience many times following Confession I commit the same sins that I previously confessed. What this speaks to is the reality that although our sins are forgiven, many times there’s an attachment to sin that lingers within us even after our sins are forgiven. This attachment to sin, can’t enter into heaven, because even the slightest bit of attachment to sin can’t dwell in God’s presence. Hebrews 12:14 and Revelation 21:27 are scripture passages that testify to the holiness of heaven.
Knowing that not even the slightest attachment to sin can enter into heaven, can cause us to worry a bit. That’s why I say Praise God for purgatory. Purgatory is an act of God’s mercy, which allows us to be fully cleansed of our attachment to sin, even after we die. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 gives us a glimpse into God’s purifying fire. An analogy may be coming home with mud on your shoes. The first thing you do is wipe the mud off of your shoes and take your shoes off before entering into the house. Purgatory is a purifying fire of God’s love, that cleanses us from our attachments of sin, allows us to enter fully into God’s holy presence.
With Mary, In Mary, Through Mary…For God’s Greater Glory!
Fr. Matthew Widder