Xliv. Of The Intermediary State Of Those Souls Who After Death Are Awaiting The Day Of The Last Resurrection; And Of Pur
XLIV. OF THE INTERMEDIARY STATE OF THOSE SOULS WHO AFTER DEATH ARE AWAITING THE DAY OF THE LAST RESURRECTION; AND OF PURGATORY
(A)
To what end does Jesus Christ, who conquered sin and death by His Blood, lead the human race?
He leads it to that end which is life eternal in the glory of heaven through all eternity.
Are men given this immortal life in heaven immediately by the action of the redeeming power of Jesus Christ?
No; for although Christ's sacred humanity and the power of the sacraments could bring human nature immediately to this life of glory, it is fitting according to the divine wisdom that human nature should run the course of its evolution. Hence all those who have received baptism and participate in the sacraments of Jesus Christ, even after their personal sanctification is accomplished, have to remain in this life subject to its penalties, and to the worst of all, which is death (LXIX. 1).
It is then only at the end of human generations that death will be definitely conquered, and that men who were bought by the Blood of Jesus Christ will be fully compensated by the glory of both their body and soul in heaven?
Yes, only then will they receive their full compensation; and in the meantime they are in an intermediary state.
What is meant by this intermediary state?
By this is meant that they do not receive immediately the recompense of their meritorious life. All will receive either recompense or chastisement, as the case may be, in its fulness on the day of the resurrection, and whatever it be it will endure for all eternity (LXIX. 2).
(B)
What is that intermediate state of those souls that cannot receive the reward of their meritorious life owing to some obstacle?
It is called purgatory (LXXI. 6; Appendix, II.).
What souls are in purgatory?
The souls of the just who die in a state of grace, but who at the moment of death have not given satisfaction to God for the temporal punishment due to sin (ibid.).
Purgatory then is a place of expiation where one must satisfy the justice of God before being admitted to the reward of heaven?
Yes; and there could be nothing more in harmony with the mercy and justice of God (ibid.).
How is the mercy of God shown in the expiation of purgatory?
Because even after their death God gives the just the means of satisfying His justice. God's mercy is also shown by the communion of saints in that He permits the living to offer up in the form of suffrages their own prayers, good works, and penances for the benefit of the souls in purgatory.
(C)
What is the best offering that can be made to God on behalf of the souls in purgatory?
The offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Is it important that he who offers up some good work for the souls in purgatory should do so with the greatest possible fervour?
Yes; for although God without doubt takes into account the worth of what is offered to Him in expiation -- and in the oblation of the sacrifice of the Mass this worth is infinite -- He takes into greater account the fervour of him who offers it; whether he himself offer it up as does the priest, or whether he offer it through the ministry of another, as when the faithful ask the priest to offer up the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in their name and for their intention (LXXI. 9; Third Part, LXXIX. 5).
These offerings to God in expiation, whether offered for the souls in purgatory in general, or for a particular group, or for this or that soul in particular, are they applied by God according to the intention of him who makes the offering?
Yes (LXXI. 6).
Are the indulgences that one gains (such as are applicable to the souls in purgatory) also applied according to the intention of him who offers them?
Yes, all depends upon the intention of him who gains them in conformity to the intention of the Church, who fixes the limits of such offering (LXXI. 6; Code, Canon 930).
As soon as sufficient satisfaction has been offered to God for their past sins, are the souls which were detained in purgatory for this end immediately received into heaven?
Yes, they are received into heaven as soon as the satisfaction for past sin is completed (LXIX. 2; Appendix, II. 6).