Making Expiation?

[DojoGrant]

In a recent response, the "Church suffering" in purgatory was described as "making expiation" for their sins.

What does this mean exactly. The wording, to me, sounds like the poor souls in purgatory or doing something themselves to receive purification, but to my understanding, it is God who purifies and they merely receive it. The two seem to be in conflict. Can you help me to better understand since apparently both are true?

[Adeodatus]

You're right. "Expiation" is an odd word because it's sense in English is now "to atone for". And we believe that Christ atoned for our sins. But there is an older sense of 'expiate' which means 'to cleanse', or in this case 'to be cleansed'.

It reminds me of the other popular expression we use when talking about purgatory, indulgences etc., "to make satisfaction". People hear that and think we mean God sits in heaven looking at the souls in purgatory, saying, 'You ain't getting out till I'm well and truly [i]satisfied[/i]!!!' 'Satisfaction' is from two words: 'satis' (enough) and 'facere' (to do, to make). So it means "to make enough" or "to complete, or perfect". (In fact 'perfect' has similar roots: per + facere = "to be made through (and through)").

Purgatory then is the initiative of God, the action of God's love and mercy in purifying (expiating) and perfecting (making satisfaction) a soul which has not utterly rejected Him but still needs to become pure and complete in order to enjoy God's friendship and the vision of God in heaven. The soul undergoing purgatory does not and cannot do anything for itself. That is why they depend on God's love, and also on our charity in praying for them.