Purgatory does not exist. The idea of Purgatory is only rooted in the idea that the blood of Jesus is INSUFFICIENT to bring you to Heaven. My belief and hope is in Christ, now and after death, not in the prayers of those I leave behind.
Rather it is a participation in the grace the Christ made abundant on the Cross.
Good grief! Catholics believe you are judged and either going to heaven or hell. That’s a done deal. But nothing unclean can enter heaven. Unless you are perfect - and most of us are not - you have the stain of sin on your soul. It is those preparing to enter heaven that must have that stain purged. The souls we are praying for are preparing to enter heaven! They are ALREADY JUDGED! That’s why ‘purgatory’ - (maybe not a PLACE but a STATE), is a place of suffering but also of joy. The souls know they are going to be with the Lord!
I Cor 3:15:
“If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as through the fire.”