goldenchild17 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 [quote name='StThomasMore' post='935970' date='Apr 4 2006, 10:55 PM']How long do you think you'll spend in purgatory if you make it there?[/quote] I fully expect to make it to Purgatory. The virtue of hope is important I think. But I plan on being there for quite awhile, possibly till the end of the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenchild17 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 [quote name='LouisvilleFan' post='1604477' date='Jul 21 2008, 11:20 AM']Ironically, the only lonely place is Hell. Of course, some people probably love being alone... maybe if they go, their Hell is a big party. I can't tell if this thread is a joke or not. Why are so many Catholics who are otherwise knowledgeable about their faith stuck on this idea that there is time in purgatory? It's never been taught that way by anyone... ever.[/quote] it's a way for people to understand the gravity and length (whether it is actual time or not) of Purgatory. Even pre-Vatican II (not sure how its done now) prayer books and such would attach a certain amount of time out of purgatory if you said a certain prayer (i.e. 300 days etc.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouisvilleFan Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Maybe all you people who think you're going to spend half an eternity in purgatory will have plenty of time for reading the Catechism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenchild17 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 [quote name='lilac_angel' post='1604936' date='Jul 21 2008, 10:08 PM']I thought that myself not long ago at all, but a couple of people on Phatmass said that was a misunderstanding... it's actually time off of earthly/temporal penances, not Purgatory.[/quote] maybe I don't understand the concept perfectly but from what I know, the earthly penances relay into time in Purgatory. If you do not fulfill your penances on earth, then you spend time in Purgatory continuing the cleansing process. Because if you go to Purgatory then you don't have any mortal sins, you are there to cleanse yourself of venial sins and unfulfilled penance on earth. Now, I don't know if there has ever been an authoritative decision either way on whether or not there is actually a concept of time in Purgatory, but I don't think its wrong to think so. Maybe not an exact duplication of time on earth, but I think 300 days in Purgatory relates to less time than 3 years (longer time). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenchild17 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 [quote name='LouisvilleFan' post='1605073' date='Jul 22 2008, 04:18 AM']Maybe all you people who think you're going to spend half an eternity in purgatory will have plenty of time for reading the Catechism. [/quote] really inappropriate joke about to come out... no wait, I can hold it in. barely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouisvilleFan Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 [quote name='goldenchild17' post='1605075' date='Jul 22 2008, 06:28 AM']maybe I don't understand the concept perfectly but from what I know, the earthly penances relay into time in Purgatory. If you do not fulfill your penances on earth, then you spend time in Purgatory continuing the cleansing process. Because if you go to Purgatory then you don't have any mortal sins, you are there to cleanse yourself of venial sins and unfulfilled penance on earth. Now, I don't know if there has ever been an authoritative decision either way on whether or not there is actually a concept of time in Purgatory, but I don't think its wrong to think so. Maybe not an exact duplication of time on earth, but I think 300 days in Purgatory relates to less time than 3 years (longer time).[/quote] Check [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s=&showtopic=50292&view=findpost&p=1604972"]this post[/url] above. Remember, we don't cleanse ourselves; Christ cleanses us. In purgatory, there is nothing we can do for ourselves or others, which is why we pray for the souls there. As for time, I don't think there is a teaching either way on it, simply because we hardly know much about purgatory to begin with. There is definitely nothing like an equivalent scale of time in purgatory versus time on earthy. Don't know where you heard that, but that person really needs to crack open a Catechism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picchick Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 My only hope is to make it to Purgatory. I am shooting for heaven but I am definitely not perfect. But I hope that by shooting for heaven, if I come up short, I will land in Purgatory. My sins are great. It is by God's mercy alone that I spend time in purgatory. I leave up my debt to God who has so graciously forgiven me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenchild17 Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 [quote name='LouisvilleFan' post='1605078' date='Jul 22 2008, 04:58 AM']Check [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?s=&showtopic=50292&view=findpost&p=1604972"]this post[/url] above. Remember, we don't cleanse ourselves; Christ cleanses us. In purgatory, there is nothing we can do for ourselves or others, which is why we pray for the souls there. As for time, I don't think there is a teaching either way on it, simply because we hardly know much about purgatory to begin with. There is definitely nothing like an equivalent scale of time in purgatory versus time on earthy. Don't know where you heard that, but that person really needs to crack open a Catechism. [/quote] Well I have to believe that purging both venial sins and temporal punishment is part of the Purgatorial process. Of course Christ cleanses us, but he uses Purgatory as one means of doing so if we die with only minor sins and earthly penances on our soul. I don't think I said the time was equivalent, only that the concept of longer time vs. shorter time can be similar. And since there is no teaching either way, I don't think its wrong to believe in a concept of time (literal or not). and I have no interest in cracking open a CCC any time soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouisvilleFan Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 [quote name='picchick' post='1605592' date='Jul 22 2008, 11:31 PM']My only hope is to make it to Purgatory. I am shooting for heaven but I am definitely not perfect. But I hope that by shooting for heaven, if I come up short, I will land in Purgatory. My sins are great. It is by God's mercy alone that I spend time in purgatory. I leave up my debt to God who has so graciously forgiven me.[/quote] Although purgatory is filled with hope, it isn't what we are hoping for. The pope's theme was "Christ Our Hope," not "Purgatory Our Hope." Trying to think of an analogy... let's say someone has always dreamed of seeing Paris, for example, but maybe they never had the means to afford a flight and be away from work and responsibilities at home. They know their dream is impossible by their own means. Fortunately, a good friend steps in and offers to buy a plane ticket and a hotel room for a week (complete with that standard view of the Eiffel Tower you always see through the window in movies ), so this person finally gets to go. Would it make any sense for this person to look forward to the plane ride more than Paris itself? Or does it makes sense to hope, "If I can't make it to Paris, I at least hope to get on a plane going there and see the airport!" Airports can be fun (to some people, anyway), but riding in a plane and walking through an airport and buying silly French trinkets at the gift shop are all simply means to the end: experiencing Paris. That's the dream, in spite of everything that holds this person back from realizing it. Likewise, Heaven is our dream, in spite of our sins and complete unworthiness, we mustn't dwell on what holds us back. Focusing on our sins is a form of pride because it's self-centered rather than Christ-centered. We do an examination of conscience and go to Confession not to become better people, but to grow closer to Christ. By effect, we will become "better" people (only in the estimation of others), because we're becoming more fully alive and human. Maybe that helps explain the point I'm trying to get across... I think one of the problems is there isn't much definitive Church teaching on purgatory and not much written about it from a theological or devotional standpoint (not counting private revelations). So many legends and weird ideas have crept into Catholics' minds and I don't see how any of it matches up with the authentic teaching. Maybe one of the priests here can shed some light... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Unless I turn totally from God and commit a bunch of mortal sins and reject repentence, I don't plan on going to hell. I have confessed and received absolution for all of my sins of my past. I try very hard to not sin but, I do and I confess again. I assume I will have to have some purifying going on before I could go to heaven, unless somehow God decides to really transform me into a Saint while I am still here on earth. We are all called to be Saints so that is still an option. We should be focusing on loving our Lord and living as he has commanded us to do and then we don't really have to worry about what shall occur in the afterlife. I think I will be in heaven but, not right away. If one day in the court of the Lord is like a thousand others, will a thousand days in purgatory be only one of God's glorious days? I could be there for a very long time. I must recruit millions to pray for me every day after I die. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selah Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Haha! We'll all be praying for you I plan to meet a soul along the way, should she still be there...perhaps I can comfort her... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autumn Dusk Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 forever. but I probably won't go there becuase god dosn't want me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Selah Posted July 23, 2008 Share Posted July 23, 2008 Of course he does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouisvilleFan Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 [quote name='Deb' post='1605955' date='Jul 23 2008, 12:13 PM']I could be there for a very long time. I must recruit millions to pray for me every day after I die. [/quote] I think you'd be better off praying for souls in purgatory while you are here... then you probably won't need the prayers after you die Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilllabettt Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 (edited) I have no intention of going to Purgatory. Maybe I will respond fully to grace later this afternoon and live a lifetime of heroic sanctity hereafter. Or maybe it will happen the second before I die. God wants me to skip Purgatory, and He often finds a way to get what He wants. Suffering purifies us, but so can love. I think God can make me love Him totally and perfectly. I've asked for this too, and I don't think He'll refuse me unless He absolutely must. I'll try my best and God will make up for what I lack. So if I go to Purgatory, I will be a little suprised. Edited July 28, 2008 by Lilllabettt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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