Purgatory - Must we believe it!

Filia Mariae · Jul 31, 2003

Good Lord- are we going to spread the Yanks and Hicks war all over the Internet?!?!

Benedicta00 · Jul 31, 2003

No. I can't in good conscious beat them twice.

Skripper · Jul 31, 2003

Shelb5 said:
No. I can't in good conscious beat them twice.

I'm sorry, I can't resist. I'm a weakling.

I'm a weakling's weakling . . . it's "conscience". You can't in good conscience beat us twice.

Benedicta00 · Jul 31, 2003

Yes I can...

artnalex · Jul 31, 2003

Now, now. Let's not derail this thread guys/gals.

MariaRegina · Jul 31, 2003

Hi Art,

Do you have any ideas of a fast-track way to heaven and a sure way to beat purgatory in the afterlife?

(I'm asking this tongue and cheek - but some may want to know!)

Lovingly in Christ,
Elizabeth

artnalex · Jul 31, 2003

And Michelle, I understand why you wrote "insure", as I obviously made a typo, which I have now corrected. [I can't believe I am being mocked by the world's worst speller, herself.]

Benedicta00 · Jul 31, 2003

chanterhanson said:
Hi Art,

Do you have any ideas of a fast-track way to heaven and a sure way to beat purgatory in the afterlife?

(I'm asking this tongue and cheek - but some may want to know!)

Lovingly in Christ,
Elizabeth

St Theresa's little way.

St-Irénée · Aug 26, 2003

I was visiting www.askmoses.com (which fields questions about Judaism) and I found this about "purgatory" in Jewish theology:

In order to restore the level of purity the soul had possessed before entering the physical world, it must undergo a degree of refinement commensurate to the degree which the body may have indulged itself. If a person sinned in this lifetime, as most of us do, then, to continue the radio analogy, we have serious interference. This means there is even more cleaning to be done. This cleaning process hurts, but is a spiritual and mental process designed not for retribution, but to allow one to truly enjoy his/her reward in Gan Eden. This cleaning process is called “Gehinom,” or, in the vernacular, “Hell.”

Rising_Suns · Aug 28, 2003

Do you have any ideas of a fast-track way to heaven and a sure way to beat purgatory in the afterlife?

Stop sinning.

MariaRegina · Aug 28, 2003

Rising_Suns said:
Stop sinning.

Yes, only the Saints can enter heaven; only those purified and wearing the white wedding garment.

We must be purified and illuminated either on this earth or in the afterlife. There is no escaping the consuming fire of God.

St. Dominic of Guzman and St. Seraphim of Sarov both glowed with the Divine Light because they had reached theosis.

We are all called to be saints. Sadly few make the effort and cooperate with the graces God gives us.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and save us.

A fellow struggling sinner,
Elizabeth

Rising_Suns · Aug 28, 2003

hey speaking of which,
do you know of any good books by Saints on how to reach that point that warrants the title of Sainthood?

MariaRegina · Aug 28, 2003

Re: Becoming a saint

t's really not a matter of reading a good book. It's walking the walk by loving our neighbor and seeing Christ in all we meet. The best book we can read is the New Testament. The next best is the Didache: The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (see the Ancient Way forum for that thread). If we really follow that simple way described in the Didache, we would become saints. My aunt, may her memory be eternal, used to focus on the red letters (words of Christ) from the New Testament. She was a very good Christian.

Hope this helps,

Elizabeth

Rising_Suns · Aug 28, 2003

Chanter,
yes, this book would definately be secondary reading material next to the bible of course. I am curious to get into the mind of a Saint though. I suppose that will have till I become a Franciscan.

Skripper · Aug 29, 2003

Rising_Suns said:
hey speaking of which,
do you know of any good books by Saints on how to reach that point that warrants the title of Sainthood?

As Elizabeth points out, it's "walking the walk" . . . but. Good books can help us do that. And of course the Bible is the best. The Didache has also been recommended. Another one that is excellent is The Imitation of Christ. It's a Christian classic written in the 15th century. I can't recommend it highly enough. Here's an online version: The Imitation of Christ

Benedicta00 · Aug 29, 2003

Rising_Suns said:
hey speaking of which,
do you know of any good books by Saints on how to reach that point that warrants the title of Sainthood?

The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of Saint Therese of Lisieux

An Inspiring Spiritual Autobiography!!!

The autobiography of St. ThÃ©rÃ¨se of Lisieux is a wonderful and inspiring story of a souls journey in attaining sanctity. Filled with hope, love, and joy, the book describes her mystical journey toward holiness and union with God and can be more likened to a spiritual autobiography rather than one of purely historical dates and facts. In describing her faith journey, St. ThÃ©rÃ¨se writes in a simple yet poetically charming style. From the portrayal of her earliest childhood memories up until the time she entered the cloistered life at Carmel, St. ThÃ©rÃ¨se speaks from her heart. In conveying the events of her early years, she describes her early faith journey through relating stories of her struggles and growth, in learning about her Catholic faith, as well as progression in grace and virtue. It is through these stories that St. ThÃ©rÃ¨se imparts to the reader her character; a singleness of mind, heart, and soul toward devoting her life to following Jesus. The revelations and knowledge that her book imparts for souls journeying toward sanctity are immeasurable; from her "Little Way" of spiritual childhood to her unpretentious words for spiritual directors. It is clear that St. ThÃ©rÃ¨se had great aspirations; one in particular was that she spend her "heaven" doing good upon earth. Her autobiography and the "Little Way" of spiritual childhood is just one of the many bouquets of roses she is "showering" down from Heaven upon all.

Rising_Suns · Aug 29, 2003

Thank you brothers and sisters for the suggestions. Many blessings to you all.

MariaRegina · Aug 30, 2003

Dear Rising Sun:

There are several books written from both the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox perspective. These are the sermons of the early Church Fathers. Since most of these devout men are canonized saints, you would be getting a saint's perspective. (The early Church Fathers, Origen and Tertullian, were condemned as heretics. Their later writings got them into trouble.)

I saw some recent books offered by Catholic and Orthodox publishers which were compilations of Sunday sermons written by such great saints as St. John Chrysostom, St. Basil, etc. These books are great when you are sick and unable to attend the Sunday Liturgy, or whenever you wish to make a private retreat.

Perhaps some of our readers are familiar with these books. Does anyone have a copy? Could you share the title and publisher?

Your sister in Christ,
Elizabeth

Photini · Aug 30, 2003

Rising_Suns said:
hey speaking of which,
do you know of any good books by Saints on how to reach that point that warrants the title of Sainthood?

It's good to read about the actual lives of the saints. We can probably learn more this way, and be inspired by their way of life, than by a "how to" book.

Rising_Suns · Sep 3, 2003

here's some more scripture for purgatory:

"If anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood hay, or straw, the work of each will come to light, for the day will disclose it. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one's work. If the work stands that someone built upon the foundation, that person will receive a wage. But if someone's work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire."--1 cor 2:12

Purgatory - Must we believe it!

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