All Souls Day-How to Get Out of Purgatory

Today is All Souls day.  It is a day for us to remember those who have gone before us, especially those still in purgatory being purified prior to being allowed to go to heaven.

As a Catholic we believe that all souls live on forever.  After the earthly life has ended all soils go to one of 3 places. 

The first is Heaven. This is where we will be reunited with God-Our Creator, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and all the Saints. This is a return to paradise for those whose souls are ready to receive the joy of Heaven.

The second option for souls is Hell. This is for those souls who do not merit ever being together with God. They live in eternal damnation apart from God.

The third option for deposition of a soul is purgatory.  I think this more of a Catholic specific belief but it is basically a place for those souls to be purified prior to entrance to heaven.  The Catechism of the Church says “All who die in God's grace and friendship l, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed ensured of eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.”

It would be interesting if getting out of Purgatory was as simple as getting out of jail in Monopoly, rolling doubles or getting a card from the chance pile, but it's not. It's our job on earth to help the souls waiting for entrance to heaven.

And that's what we should be remembering on All Souls Day.  Pray for and ask for indulgences for those undergoing the purification in Purgatory.  That they may go on to the joy of heaven.  And when they do they will remember us who have prayed for them so when we undergo the test they will be on our side defending us.  It's like we will have our own heavenly character witnesses waiting for us when St. Peter asks us if we are ready to go through the Pearly Gates.

So today I pray for all the soils in Purgatory, that they will be undergo a quick purification and proceed onto to not of eternal life in heaven.  Especially for the souls of those who have made a personal mark on my life with Jesus. 

Dad. Grandma. Frank Thornton. Captain Pavis. Herb and Mary Dean. Dr. Pezanoski. And Anyone I've forgotten.