We do not hear much about the “last things” anymore. Death, judgment, heaven, and hell are often passed over. We hear even less about that state that many will experience before heaven, which is called purgatory. This purification after death has been a consistent part of Catholic teaching for hundreds of years. It is found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and other Church documents. But it is not the only way to heaven—not all souls require it.

Process or Place

Purgatory is a state of final purification for those whose love for God is still marred by some imperfection. This process is hinted at in the Scriptures. For instance, Isaiah cries out: “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips.” God then intervenes, and when the angel of the Lord touches Isaiah’s mouth with a hot coal, his wickedness is removed, his sin is purged (Is. 6:5-7).

This needed purification, called purgatory, is often thought of as a fiery place, but this is not necessarily part of Catholic teaching. It is not a place of punishment in the same sense as hell. Indeed, the Church says the experience of purgatory is “entirely different from the punishment of the damned” (CCC, n. 1031).

Pope John Paul II called purgatory “not a place, but a condition of existence.” Of course, it may be thought of as either or both, but our language to describe purgatory is tied to our limited understandings based in the temporal world.

God’s Mercy

God is just, but He is also merciful. When a soul’s purification is complete, it enters the joys of heaven. How this happens and its duration are unknown, or even if it can be measured in time. It is common to speak of “time in purgatory,” but this is also not specified in Church teaching.

Far from being a punishment, purgatory is another aspect of God’s graciousness. This teaching emphasizes the importance of holiness and the purification needed to enter into the fullness of communion with God. Consider how we would suffer if we came into His presence, not entirely in love with Him, not freely detached from our sinfulness. It is a consolation that God never wishes any souls to be lost!

Assurance of Heaven

The purpose of purgatory is to prepare souls for the beatific vision. We call the souls in purgatory “holy” for they are assured eternal life with Christ. Purgatory is to “achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven” (CCC, n. 1030).

And the process of purgatory is not limited to the soul and God. Members of the Church can assist these souls with their prayers and sacrifices. As the Catechism explains, this teaching is based on the practice of prayers for the dead, which are mentioned in Scripture and have been part of the Church’s consistent teaching and practice (CCC, n. 1032).

While we struggle here on earth to do good and be more closely united to Jesus, we trust that God continues to desire us—and to give us every advantage of entering eternal life. If the state of our soul requires it, purgatory is part of God’s plan for our salvation. Because, He wills that none shall perish, but that all shall come to repentance and eternal life (2 Pt. 3:9). ✣

Father David Endres is professor of Church history and historical theology at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary & School of Theology.

This article appeared in the November 2025 edition of The Catholic Telegraph Magazine. For your complimentary subscription, click here.