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Inside Purgatory: What History, Theology and the Mystics Tell Us about Purgatory
The follow-up book to the popular, ?Inside Heaven and Hell, ? comes the equivalent of a guided tour of God's holy penitential world where human spirits are purified and thereby prepared for entry into Paradise. Dr. Petrisko directs onto his subject many a spotlight coming from various authorities down the Christian centuries ? popes, theologians, saints, mystics, visionaries and the Blessed Mother. Together their insights and testimonies present a rounded picture of that mysterious realm of purgatorial pain and prayer, which can be likened to Heaven's vestibule lying beyond this world. Readers will find an abundance of information about Purgatory, while at the same time plenty of inspiration and encouragement to become more Purgatory minded; that is, generous in offering spiritual succour and support to the Holy Souls.
108 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2000
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September 23, 2024
A SUMMARY OF TRADITIONAL TEACHINGS AND PRIVATE REVELATIONS ABOUT THIS DOCTRINE
Thomas W. Petrisko has written many other books such as 'Inside Heaven and Hell: What History, Theology and the Mystics tell us about the Afterlife,' 'The Miracle of the Illumination of All Consciences,' 'The Fatima Prophecies: At the Doorstep of the World,' 'Call of the Ages,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 2000 book, "Today there is little mention of Purgatory, even among Catholics. It is, however, a teaching handed down from the Apostles and found in Sacred Scripture... purgatory is said to be a necessary part of the justice of God... Many saints have witnessed and written about this transitory state. It is, in many ways, a frightening place, yet unlike Hell, it contains peace and hope.
"In Purgatory as in Hell there is a double pain---the pain of loss and the pain of the senses... the Doctors of the Church believe this world of suffering is primarily in a foggy, misty place of darkness... The lowest levels are said to hold great suffering... May all who read this little book come to know the truth about Purgatory, how each of us face the possibility of going there if not purified of the stain of our sins before death, and how the countless souls there are waiting for our help to get them to Heaven."
He begins by explaining, "Simply defined, Purgatory is a place of purification, a transitory region designated for souls who die in a state of grace but who aren't pure enough to enter Heaven." (Pg. 7) He points out Mt. 12:32, Mt. 5:25-26, 2 Tim 1:18, and 1 Cor 3;13-15 as biblical support for the doctrine, and adds, "While some may argue that these Scriptural passages do not directly address the question of Purgatory, there is considerable evidence that the early Church did not suffer from such a dilemma. Moreover, Tradition is clearly on the side of belief in a purification after death and that the custom of praying for the dead was a universal practice of the faithful from the very beginning." (Pg. 15-16)
He states, "These souls are not pure enough because the consequences of forgiven mortal and venial sins remain on their soul. Although this 'residue' adheres to the soul like rust on iron, it is less obvious on a soul in grace... this 'rust' is easy to retain since even the slightest imperfection, the slightest degree of self-love is contrary to the pure love of God. At death, any degree or pride or desire for happiness from this world is a weight upon a soul that needs to be lifted.
"We need to remember, though, that a soul does not have to be exceptionally evil to need Purgatory. In life, souls have every opportunity to repent, but once life is over, no further repentance can occur. Purgatory is not a place of repentance, but for purification." (Pg. 23) He adds, "Most importantly, the souls have no fear since they know they have been preserved from damnation." (Pg. 24)
He advises, "the souls in Purgatory experience a pain of the senses, although they no longer have a body. Besides the pain of sorrow, chagrin, and shame of conscience, which most theologians admit all souls in Purgatory suffer, there is the almost universal recognition of pain associated with the purifying fire of Purgatory. This fire is different from the fire of Hell, but is a real fire and must be classified as a sensory experience for the souls." (Pg. 27)
He concludes, "the Church declares that the souls in Purgatory can do nothing for themselves. They can no longer gain merit or sin, receive the Sacraments, or profit from indulgences. While prayers from the Church militant are acceptable, they are abandoned to their own fate and must hope in God and their fellow members of the Mystical Body of Christ to hasten their entrance into Heaven." (Pg. 71)
He adds, "the Sacrifice of the Mass has always been considered the most powerful and effective means of aiding and releasing souls in Purgatory... no more profitable act can be immediately instituted on behalf of the departed soul... Human acts, even prayers and almsgiving, are not as efficacious as a Mass offered by the great High priest, Jesus Christ Himself, to the Holy Trinity... Because the Sacrifice is perfect, theologians tell us that it is the most efficient and speedy way in releasing souls from Purgatory." (Pg. 72)
For conservative/traditional Catholics, this summary of teaching will be appreciated.
Thomas W. Petrisko has written many other books such as 'Inside Heaven and Hell: What History, Theology and the Mystics tell us about the Afterlife,' 'The Miracle of the Illumination of All Consciences,' 'The Fatima Prophecies: At the Doorstep of the World,' 'Call of the Ages,' etc.
He wrote in the Introduction to this 2000 book, "Today there is little mention of Purgatory, even among Catholics. It is, however, a teaching handed down from the Apostles and found in Sacred Scripture... purgatory is said to be a necessary part of the justice of God... Many saints have witnessed and written about this transitory state. It is, in many ways, a frightening place, yet unlike Hell, it contains peace and hope.
"In Purgatory as in Hell there is a double pain---the pain of loss and the pain of the senses... the Doctors of the Church believe this world of suffering is primarily in a foggy, misty place of darkness... The lowest levels are said to hold great suffering... May all who read this little book come to know the truth about Purgatory, how each of us face the possibility of going there if not purified of the stain of our sins before death, and how the countless souls there are waiting for our help to get them to Heaven."
He begins by explaining, "Simply defined, Purgatory is a place of purification, a transitory region designated for souls who die in a state of grace but who aren't pure enough to enter Heaven." (Pg. 7) He points out Mt. 12:32, Mt. 5:25-26, 2 Tim 1:18, and 1 Cor 3;13-15 as biblical support for the doctrine, and adds, "While some may argue that these Scriptural passages do not directly address the question of Purgatory, there is considerable evidence that the early Church did not suffer from such a dilemma. Moreover, Tradition is clearly on the side of belief in a purification after death and that the custom of praying for the dead was a universal practice of the faithful from the very beginning." (Pg. 15-16)
He states, "These souls are not pure enough because the consequences of forgiven mortal and venial sins remain on their soul. Although this 'residue' adheres to the soul like rust on iron, it is less obvious on a soul in grace... this 'rust' is easy to retain since even the slightest imperfection, the slightest degree of self-love is contrary to the pure love of God. At death, any degree or pride or desire for happiness from this world is a weight upon a soul that needs to be lifted.
"We need to remember, though, that a soul does not have to be exceptionally evil to need Purgatory. In life, souls have every opportunity to repent, but once life is over, no further repentance can occur. Purgatory is not a place of repentance, but for purification." (Pg. 23) He adds, "Most importantly, the souls have no fear since they know they have been preserved from damnation." (Pg. 24)
He advises, "the souls in Purgatory experience a pain of the senses, although they no longer have a body. Besides the pain of sorrow, chagrin, and shame of conscience, which most theologians admit all souls in Purgatory suffer, there is the almost universal recognition of pain associated with the purifying fire of Purgatory. This fire is different from the fire of Hell, but is a real fire and must be classified as a sensory experience for the souls." (Pg. 27)
He concludes, "the Church declares that the souls in Purgatory can do nothing for themselves. They can no longer gain merit or sin, receive the Sacraments, or profit from indulgences. While prayers from the Church militant are acceptable, they are abandoned to their own fate and must hope in God and their fellow members of the Mystical Body of Christ to hasten their entrance into Heaven." (Pg. 71)
He adds, "the Sacrifice of the Mass has always been considered the most powerful and effective means of aiding and releasing souls in Purgatory... no more profitable act can be immediately instituted on behalf of the departed soul... Human acts, even prayers and almsgiving, are not as efficacious as a Mass offered by the great High priest, Jesus Christ Himself, to the Holy Trinity... Because the Sacrifice is perfect, theologians tell us that it is the most efficient and speedy way in releasing souls from Purgatory." (Pg. 72)
For conservative/traditional Catholics, this summary of teaching will be appreciated.
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