Sorry in advance, Christine, for jumping onto this one which was intended for you
Don’t you “depend” on your belief for salvation? We depend on many things, most of all, the Grace of God, as this is absolutely the source of everything possible. Purgatory is not something we “depend” on. It simply IS. It is a state of cleansing and purifying the remnants and consequences of already forgiven sins, before we enter into the beatific vision and commune with our Father in Heaven. Once in purgatory, there is only two things for sure…you are being purified…and you are going to Heaven. Sure, we can pray for the souls in purgatory, offer up our sufferings and sacrifices for their benefit…but they’re still going to Heaven…we’re just telling God that we love Him and them so much that we are willing to take some of the pain of their purification unto ourselves. God allows us to share in these things, as the inseparable Body of Christ, with Christ Himself as the inseparable Head.
Only that we are not “saved” future tense. By our confession of faith and baptism, we are freed from our slavery to sin, and therefore saved from that prison. And we enter into adoption of the family of God, but we must cooperate with God to “effect” salvation for ourselves…salvation which was made “sufficient” for us by the one-time atoning death of Christ. It will be by God’s grace that we WILL BE saved, but our lives must be lived in obedience to His will, in order to achieve salvation. Part of that will is to be faithful to His Church on earth, which He commissioned. Also, realize that our ability to be obedient, (just like our faith), is also a gift of God’s Grace. Grace is the source of everything good.
Because we are not “saved” future tense, and to cooperate with God’s will, we need to arm ourselves frequently with His Grace to integrate our will with His Spirit in us. Again, emphasis on the fact that it is Grace that makes our faith and obedience (and ultimately our salvation) possible. Baptism must be done to be born adoptively into the family of God…this gives us initial Grace from God to replenish the DISgrace that Adam imparted unto all of us. This initial Grace gives us the ability to discern Him in our life more fully. Confirmation furthers this Grace by increasing our faith and knowledge of the good works He has prepared before us. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our relationship with God. It is the continuous offering of God’s Grace, and we must properly and purely (as pure as possible) come to the table to have real communion with Him. Our partaking in the Eucharist is so significant because of our prerequisite purification and internal re-commitment to deepen our relationship with Him. Reconciliation (confession) reunites us with God when we inevitably fall away at various times throughout our lives through sin (turning away from God). In some cases of significant sins, it is a prerequisite for partaking in the Eucharist (explained above). For lesser sins, it is not necessarily required, but encouraged. But the Eucharist is seen as necessary either way. For we are told by Christ Himself to do this without condition. Most Catholics partake in the sacrament of Marriage. A few others are called to Church leadership (Holy Orders). It is not a requirement for anyone, but most are called to marriage, and others to the clergy. In either case, these sacraments impart unique Graces for either the couple, or the man entering into religious life. Anointing of the Sick is a specific sacrament for healing, or for the dying. Not a mandatory sacrament…a gift of Grace for specific requesting individuals.
So, mandatory sacraments = baptism and Eucharist
Conditional sacraments = confirmation / reconciliation
optional* sacraments = holy orders / marriage / anointing of the sick
God Bless
You know you almost had me convinced until i saw John:6:54
