The Reality of Purgatory

"All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, para. 1030). This final purification described in the catechism is what Catholics call by the name of purgatory.

In this world we still have a sinful nature, unforgiven sin, attachments to sin, and unfulfilled temporal punishment. But in heaven we cannot have those things. After all, Scripture tells us that nothing unclean shall enter heaven (Rev. 21:27). So this must mean that after our physical death, and before our entrance into heaven, there has to be a change (or purification) that takes place to us that makes us perfectly holy. This change, or purification, is purgatory.

The belief in purgatory is the logical solution to the problem of our present personal sinfulness in this world, and the perfect holiness required to enter heaven. Through purgatory, our souls are made completely pure, and we can then enter into the glorious presence of God in heaven.