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Gloria Polo died after being terribly burned by a lightning bolt on May 5, 1995 in Bogotá, Colombia; she was judged, and then came back to life. … There is already translated into English a short testimony that Gloria Polo gave to Radio Maria in Colombia. The following testimony, instead, was given on May 5, 2005 in Caracas, Venezuela. It is much more complete and so one is able to enter into and to understand better this special experience of Gloria Polo, which I believe is a true gift from God for so many people today who, like Gloria Polo...

The Month of November: Thoughts on the "Last Things" The Month of November: Thoughts on the "Last Things" The Catholic Church dedicates each month of the year to a particular devotion or consideration. Traditionally, the month of November is dedicated to praying for the deceased that are undergoing the final purification, or Purgatory. One of the oldest and most essential doctrinal teachings of the Church concerns what we have called ‘the last things’: judgment, heaven, hell, and purgatory. I always try to emphasize these essential and mandatory doctrinal teaching during this month of November. They are always relevant, but...

As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger once said so well, one major difference between Protestants and Catholics is that Catholics pray for the dead: "My view is that if Purgatory did not exist, we should have to invent it." Why? "Because few things are as immediate, as human and as widespread—at all times and in all cultures—as prayer for one"s own departed dear ones." Calvin, the Reformer of Geneva, had a woman whipped because she was discovered praying at the grave of herson and hence was guilty, according to Calvin, of superstition". "In theory, the Reformation refuses to accept Purgatory, and...

November 2, 2009                                        The Commemoration of                                         All the Faithful Departed                                         (All Souls)                                                        (The following readings are selected                                                             from the options for this day.)             Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Wis 3:1-9 The souls of the just are in the hand of God,and no torment shall touch them.They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;and...

My baby-hood crush on John Kennedy, and my little-girl admiration for Robert Kennedy had kept Ted Kennedy on my periphery. I use this photo because it is the flashing image I always get when I think of Ted, because it was my first real notice of him. I remember being 11 years old and watching Kennedy make a statement on television after the death of Mary Jo Kopechne. What seems vivid in my memory is something I am no longer sure of: was he wearing a neckbrace during that speech? Perhaps that was another time, or my memory is fouled...

God created man that he might possess his Creator forever in the beatific vision. Those who die in the state of enmity toward God are deprived of this happiness. Between these extremes are people who are neither estranged from God nor wholly dedicated to Him when they die. What will be their lot after death? The response of faith is that nothing defiled can enter heaven (Rev 21:27), and therefore anyone less than perfect must first be cleansed before he can be admitted to the vision of God. If this doctrine of Catholicism is less strenuously opposed than the...

The Heroic ActThe Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a hero as "a mythological or legendary figure of great strength or ability; or a man admired for his achievements and qualities." A hero goes above and beyond the call of duty to help others. It is someone who has made a sacrifice for the benefit of those who could not help themselves.There are heroes in the Catholic Church. They are the canonized saints. It is true, that all people who enter Heaven are saints, but the canonized saints have done something that is extraordinary and have been made role models for future generations...

Father Paul-Joseph Buguet was born on March 25, 1843, in Bellavilliers, Orne, France. His impoverished parents could barely support the two boys God graced them with. However, Father Paul entered the seminary in the city of Sees and devoted himself to God the Church and souls. He felt mortification, humility, and cultivation of the inner spirit were the three things  necessary to become a holy priest. Who could disagree!He was ordained on May 26, 1866. Ten years later, on the evening of November 1, 1876, his brother, Auguste Buguet, was ringing the bells at the Church of Our Lady of Mortagne-au-Perche, in Normandy when,...

Praying for the Dead II Maccabees 12:43-46: "And making a gathering, he [Judas] sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection, (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may...

By no means will any of us enter heaven, or even want to enter there, unless our characters are in perfect shape, and our deficits are paid up in full. Purgatory is the service shop where repair work is done, and where books are balanced. The Poor Souls must wait for entrance into heaven, but they sense God's assistance while they make their final preparation. They already know what he will say finally: "Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joys of the Lord." They understand and accept God's kindness as well as his concern that justice be...

As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger once said so well, one major difference between Protestants and Catholics is that Catholics pray for the dead: "My view is that if Purgatory did not exist, we should have to invent it." Why? "Because few things are as immediate, as human and as widespread—at all times and in all cultures—as prayer for one"s own departed dear ones." Calvin, the Reformer of Geneva, had a woman whipped because she was discovered praying at the grave of herson and hence was guilty, according to Calvin, of superstition". "In theory, the Reformation refuses to accept Purgatory, and consequently...

According to the Handbook for Today's Catholic, page 47, "If you die in the love of God but possess any stains of sin, such stains are cleansed away in a purifying process called purgatory. These stains of sin are primarily the temporal punishment due to venial or mortal sins already forgiven but for which sufficient penance was not done during your lifetime."The Catholic Catechism, paragraph 1030, says that purgatory is for "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...

 Catholic Purgatory: What Does It Mean? For the Catholic Purgatory is a period of purification after death. When we die, our souls are judged immediately by Christ in what's called the "Particular Judgment": Each man receives his eternal retribution in his immortal soul at the very moment of his death, in a particular judgment that refers his life to Christ: either entrance into the blessedness of heaven — through a purification or immediately, — or immediate and everlasting damnation. (Catechism, 1022) Purgatory is this period of purification before heaven. It's not always well understood by today's Catholics but Purgatory is...

From the time of our birth, God has graced us with a faithful companion, appointed guardian and guide: our dear guardian angel.  Angels are spiritual beings who are constantly in God’s Presence, singing praises to Our Creator.  Angels serve as Divine messengers, bringing God’s Will and Word to all humanity. Although we are unable to see them they are there ready to protect and watch over us at God’s command. The Doctors of the Church teach that the guardianship of the holy angels over men only terminates at the souls’ entrance into Heaven. Some mystics have asserted that it extends to...

St. Margaret of Cortona was a great sinner in her youth. She lost her mother when quite young, and so was mostly left to herself. Her beauty and  lively temperament soon led her into a sinful life which lasted for a considerable time.  She was swept off her feet by a handsome young lord. They lived together for many years but the young lord would never consent to marriage. They had a son together.   One day the Lord went off to inspect his estate and was assassinated.Margaret left Montepulciano for her father’s home in Cortona.  Her father and stepmother would not welcome her or...

Many times converts to Catholicism will say they never really understood the Bible until they began to read it with Catholic eyes. Passages they read many times began to take on new meaning. Doctrines, which seemed to be invisible, become readily apparent. Such is the doctrine of Purgatory. Many Protestants reject the theology of Purgatory because they do not find it in the New Testament. Like the doctrine of the Trinity, the doctrine of Purgatory is there, but the pieces of the puzzle have to be put together in order to clearly see the complete picture.The theology of Purgatory begins,...

St.  Catherine of Genoa, mystic and laywoman, is also  known as  the "Apostle of Purgatory" and the most authoritative saint on this subject.  Her Treatise on Purgatory explores the attitude on the souls in purgatory, what they suffer, why they willingly choose to go to there, the consolations of those souls, and how, by expiating our sins in this life, we can shorten or avoid pain after. St. Catherine said that he who purifies from faults in this present life satisfies with a penny a debt of a thousand ducats or (more than $1,000) -- and he who waits until the...

"What is life compared to that day which will have no evening for the elect, or to that night which will have no dawning for the damned? On earth, people attach themselves to everything and everyone except to Him, who alone ought to have our love and to whom we refuse it. Jesus in the Tabernacle waits for souls to love Him and He finds none. Hardly one soul in a thousand loves Him as it should. Love Him and make up to Him for this guilty indifference which exists all over this world." * * * * * *...

It says Mass cards with printed signatures are being sold in some shops, with Catholics believing the cost is the offering for the Mass. Instead, it is claimed most of the money goes to the shop and distributor, with very little going to the church. Bishop O'Reilly from Longford said it was a massive industry and the lack of accountability undermined public confidence in missionary work. He said missionary orders were concerned people were buying these Mass cards thinking the money was going to support charity work in the third world. In the past, people bought an unsigned card and...

IOne of the great strengths of the Latin theological tradition has been the development and articulation of a Christian social and personal morality. Catholic theologians and philosophers have reflected deeply on divine law, justice, and the common good and have integrated this reflection into the spiritual life and practice of the Church. But this development has come at a price: God has been portrayed principally as Law-giver, soteriology interpreted through juridical categories, sin reduced to violation of commandment and preaching to moral exhortation. Consequently, Catholic spiritual life has often taken on an unhealthy legalistic cast.Consider how the doctrine of Purgatory...

Pope Benedict XVI is offering relief from purgatory to Roman Catholics who travel to Lourdes over the next year, the Vatican said yesterday. Pilgrims to the shrine in south-west France will receive "plenary indulgences" from the Pontiff, which the Church says reduce the time spent being "washed" of sin after death. The indulgences will be available from this weekend until Dec 8, 2008. The Church teaches that people who do not go directly to heaven must spend time in purgatory, where they can be purified of residual sin. It is the latest initiative to get more pilgrims to the shrine,...

November 2, 2007                     The Commemoration of All                         the Faithful Departed                            (All Souls) Psalm: Friday 39       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Wis 3:1-9 The souls of the just are in the hand of God,and no torment shall touch them.They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;and their passing away was thought an afflictionand their going forth from us, utter destruction.But they are in peace.For if before men, indeed, they be punished,yet is their hope full of immortality;chastised a...

Lesson 12: Purgatory "And the day following Judas [Machabeus] came with his company, to take away the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen, in the sepulchres of their fathers.  And they found under the coats of the slain some of the donaries of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbiddeth to the Jews:  So that all plainly saw, that for this cause they were slain.  Then they all blessed the just judgment of the Lord, who had discovered the things that were hidden.  And so betaking themselves to prayers, they besought Him,...

The Early Church Fathers believed in purgatory and prayers for the dead. Clement of AlexandriaThe believer through discipline divests himself of his passions and passes to the mansion which is better than the former one, passes to the greatest torment, taking with him the characteristic of repentance for the faults he may have committed after baptism. He is tortured then still more, not yet attaining what he sees others have acquired. The greatest torments are assigned to the believer, for God's righteousness is good, and His goodness righteous, and though these punishments cease in the course of the expiation and...

On the Question of the "Toll-Houses" "We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ." —I Cor. 4:10 Introduction. A number of poor scholars and pseudo-scholars alike have, over the past several decades, made a case against the Orthodox Church's teaching on life after death, and especially the "toll house" image used by some Fathers and in many of our worship services. Misrepresenting the Fathers, ignoring liturgical and theological evidence, and overstating their case, some of these critics have made of various theologoumena, unfortunately, matters of intense debate. Likewise misusing philosophy, misrepresenting the Patristic use of classical...

St. Mark of Ephesus and the False Union of Florence Part III of His Life by Archimandrite Amvrossy Pogodin VI. THE CONCLUSION OF THE UNION TO THE OTHER afflictions which the Orthodox delegation suffered in Florence was added the death of the Patriarch of Constantinople. The Patriarch was found dead in his room. On the table lay (supposedly) his testament, Extrema Sententia, consisting in all of some lines in which he declared that he accepted everything that the Church of Rome confesses. And then: "In like manner I acknowledge the Holy Father of Fathers, the Supreme Pontiff and Vicar of...

Have you done some bad things, but not bad enough to get you sent to Hell when you die? If so, some believe you'll have to serve time in Purgatory paying for your sins before being allowed into Heaven. But don't worry, you can make your period of torment and hard labor in the steaming hot netherworld as painless as possible, by following some tips from a leading theologian. "Purgatory is inherently unpleasant, but it doesn't have to be a nightmare," says Atlanta-based Bible scholar Dr. Jared Ruftan, author of the upcoming book, So You're Going to Purgatory. "How bad...

Many want to know about Gregorian Masses -- especially for deceased loved ones -- so let us begin at the beginning:Gregorian Masses date back to the end of the sixth century, when they were instituted by Pope St. Gregory the Great, a doctor of the Church. It is why these Masses take their name from him.He established them when he was Abbot of St. Andrew's Benedictine Abbey of Monte Celio in Rome -- and a rather strict one, I might add.  In one of his most notable works -- called Dialogues -- Pope Gregory spoke of a monk named Justus. "See...

Howard Storm, a former atheist whose brush with death turned him into a Protestant minister, says that he now believes in purgatory. "It only makes sense," he says, "but I have trouble discussing this with my fellow ministers." Featured here a couple months ago and also on MSNBC during Easter Week -- where he told his incredible story to a national audience -- Reverend Storm, considered by experts as one of the most convincing near-death cases, recounted his "dying" in Paris in 1985 from a perforated duodenum and after leaving his body finding himself with a group of hideous beings...

Do Catholics Believe in Purgatory?    FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS I hardly hear purgatory mentioned anymore. I have even heard some Catholics say we do not believe in it since Vatican II. What is the right teaching? On Sept. 17, 2002, our late beloved Pope John Paul II stressed the need to pray for the Souls in Purgatory. He said, "The first and highest form of charity for brothers is the ardent desire for their eternal salvation ... . Christian love knows no boundaries and goes beyond the limits of space and time, enabling us to love those who have already...

This is the account of a minister, Howard Storm, from Ohio, who "died" in 1985 from a perforation in his intestines and returned with an account of hell. While he's a minister now (at Zion United Church of Christ in Norwood), at the time he was an atheistic professor, chairman of the art department at North Kentucky University. Storm describes himself as a selfish man who not only didn't believe but detested those who did. Then came the crisis on June 1, 1985, while he was leading students on a trip to museums in Paris. "I needed surgery immediately but...

The other day, I heard on an evangelical station a preacher say that the RCC teaches that the fires of purgatory are as hot as the fires of hell and the only difference between the two is the duration. What does the Catholic Church teach about this? Exact quote: "The fire of Purgatory and Hell are the same, except in duration"

Book Review: The Catholic Verses, by Dave Armstrong 06/24/05 A number of former Protestant Evangelicals, like me, claim that the reason we became Catholic was that for the first time the Bible, as a whole, suddenly made sense. As Protestants we were always trying to find a logical way for the “Bible difficulties” we encountered to fit together into a cohesive whole. In This Article... Bible Difficulties Unique Technique Changed Doctrine Bible Difficulties “Bible difficulties” are what Protestant-Evangelical scholars call the result of comparing desperately different Bible texts that create paradoxes. For example, Romans 3:28 seems to says we are...

Limbo and the Hope of Salvation by Dr. Jeff Mirus, special to CatholicCulture.orgMay 12, 2005 In a recent website review, we were compelled to list the site’s views on limbo as a weakness. Some Catholics are under the impression that the Church has formally taught that unbaptized infants cannot be saved but must inevitably be consigned to a marginal abode known as limbo, where no supernatural happiness is possible. But this is not what the Church teaches. The Questions Raised by BaptismThe Church does teach that the enjoyment of the presence of God in heaven is not ours by right....

Baptist church 'fake pope' sign attracting attention, criticism By JEANNINE F. HUNTER, hunter@knews.com April 13, 2005 NEWPORT, Tenn. - Two days after being posted, a church marquee message that questions the purpose of the papacy is still attracting attention in this small community. "What I am trying to do is to let people know there's only one way to heaven through Jesus Christ," said the Rev. Cline Franklin, pastor of Hilltop Baptist Church. "There's no need for help. God sent his son, Jesus Christ. We're all priests if we're saved. I don't need to go to anybody else to pray."...

A free brochure on purgatory and indulgences is available for download at http://bridegroompress.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=28This brochure may be freely downloaded, e-mailed, printed out and distributed in churches, small groups, or among friends and acquaintances, etc. in order to promote a correct understanding of the Catholic teaching on the subject.

Because of the heresy of Martin Luther, the idea of Purgatory has long been considered a myth of the Catholic Church - a medieval myth. You'll note anyone seeking to advance the modernist, Masonic, One World New Order agenda will most always label traditional practices as "medieval." No, the whole 'medieval' smear is exactly what modernists are so adept at: inaccuracies and lies… Why is it that something so fundamental to Church dogma has been abandoned? Just as there are Three Persons in One God, the Triune Divinity, so also there are three components in One Communion of Saints. Those...

He has portrayed the Crucifixion - now Mel Gibson has his sights set on the tale that led to Chanukah. "The Passion of the Christ" director told WABC's Sean Hannity yesterday that he's planning a movie based on a Jewish rebellion nearly 200 years before the birth of Christ. "The story that's always fired my imagination ... is the Book of Maccabees," Gibson said in the radio interview. "It's about Antiochus, the king who set up his religion in the Temple, and forced them all to deny the true God and worship at his feet and worship false gods. "The...

Hello Everyone, With Lent well underway, please Prayerfully consider becoming a missionary to empty Purgatory. This is an informal group of Religious & Lay people dedicated to Praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Please visit the web site for Mission To Empty Purgatory ( http://www.MTEP.com ). You will find no adverts, no requests for money and no need to give out personal information. All we need are your Prayers. Please help the poor Holy Souls in Purgatory, they are in desperate need of our Prayers. As St Padre Pio says: "The Holy Souls are eager for the prayers of...

By Terry Boyd, Stars and StripesEuropean edition, Sunday, March 7, 2004 Terry Boyd / S&S Weapons and munitions take up much of the interior of the Afghan militia compound next to Firebase Purgatory in Afghanistan. Troops around the country are finding arms. Here Pfc. Michael Greenwood surveys the take, some of which will be handed over to the new Afghan army. The rest will be destroyed. FIREBASE PURGATORY, Afghanistan — Before he joined, Pfc. Brad Atanasoff worked at a hotel with a Thai man who was terribly homesick.“He was always talking about how much he missed home,” said Atanasoff, 21,...

One of the most baffling things regarding Jesus's crucifixcion and resurrection was the quote by the criminal on the other side of where Jesus was hanging: If Jesus told him that he would be with him in paradise today then where did Jesus go? What we learn from religious institutions is not always commensurate with the truth of the actual Scriptures. Here we researched for you what the Bible actually says about the terms Paradise and Heaven When Jesus was crucified, there were two criminals hanging on crosses beside Him. One of them confessed that he was sorry about his...

<p>For those concerned about their final destination after they die, beware: There apparently isn't a lot of space available in heaven. But if you don't mind the utter lack of oceanfront housing, hell appears to have plenty of room.</p> <p>This we can discern from the results of a new poll of several hundred Americans on matters pertaining to the hereafter. Barna Research Group of Ventura, Calif., found that when it comes to the prospect of eternal damnation, only a fraction of folks seem remotely prepared for the possibility.</p>

A SURPRISING DEFENCE It is true that a man who believed things completely contrary to the convictions of today's fundamental preachers and educators could be exalted and defended by them. Of course, I believe this is done primarily because our fundamental brethren know little of what either Dr. Westcott or Dr. Hort really believed and taught.

Brooke Foss Westcott (1825-1903) and Fenton John Anthony Hort (1828-1892) have been highly controversial figures in biblical history.

Christmas is the time in which more souls are released from further suffering in purgatory than at any other time. Remember to mention them in your prayer petitions today. And once they are released, they will pray for you from Heaven. Merry Christmas.

One major difference between Protestants and Catholics is that Catholics pray for the dead. As Cardinal Ratzinger said so well, "My view is that if Purgatory did not exist, we should have to invent it." Why? "Because few things are as immediate, as human and as widespread - at all times and in all cultures - as prayer for one's own departed dear ones." Calvin, the Protestant reformer of Geneva, had a woman whipped because she was discovered praying at the grave of her son and hence was guilty, according to Calvin, of "superstition." "In theory, the Reformation refuses...