My daughter's Catholic school scared her with Purgatory

[quinone]

i remember reading a book titled “Read Me or Rue It” by Fr. Paul O’Sullivan and that’s mostly what i know about purgatory. It is not a pleasant place to be.

maybe you can give your child a description of purgatory based on written works by saints that has been approved by the Catholic Church. here is an example of St. Faustina’s experience in visiting purgatory:
*
“I saw my Guardian Angel, who ordered me to follow him. In a moment I was in a misty place full of fire in which there was a great crowd of suffering souls. They were praying fervently, but to no avail, for themselves; only we can come to their aid. The flames which were burning them did not touch me at all. My Guardian Angel did not leave me for an instant. I asked these souls what their greatest suffering was. They answered me in one voice that their greatest torment was longing for God. I saw Our Lady visiting the souls in Purgatory. The souls call her “The Star of the Sea.” She brings them refreshment. I wanted to talk with them some more, but my Guardian Angel beckoned me to leave. We went out of that prison of suffering. * which said, My mercy does not want this, but justice demands it*. Since that time, I am in closer communion with the suffering souls.”*

 

[littlestsouls2]

There are many good arguments for the existence of a purifying fire in Purgatory. I would shift the focus, however. Here are a few optimistic ways of looking at Purgatory:

1. Purgatory is a just punishment, which God imposes reluctantly. (St. Therese: “Do not be afraid of going to purgatory because of its pain, but rather, long not to go there because this pleases God Who imposes this expiation so regretfully.”)
2. The sufferings of Purgatory are mingled with the certain joy of possessing God, to which no earthly joy can be compared.
3. The intensity of the sufferings of Purgatory are a proof of God’s love. It is because God desires us to be so pure and beautiful that it is necessary for the soul to be purified thoroughly.
4. According to many Saints, theologians and mystics, many of the souls in Purgatory suffer purely from their intense longing for God.
5. If we love God above all else, we will either bypass Purgatory; of if we do go there, it will not be for too long. “Know, too, that many people die in the world who are so just and innocent that they enter right away into the presence and vision of God.” (Revelation to St. Bridget)
6. The souls in Purgatory are in complete conformity with God’s will. St. Catherine of Genoa says that souls imperfectly purified, willingly plunge themselves into Purgatory. Sr. Gertrude Mary, an exceptional mystic, says of the Holy Souls: “They could not, would not, unite themselves to the Infinite Purity and Sanctity, while anything remained for them to expiate.”

We definitely shouldn’t downplay the pains of Purgatory; it is more than likely that they will be severe. But this is no reason to be afraid. God loves us more than we love ourselves; and if we trust in Him and love Him, we can confidently hope to avoid Purgatory - especially if we pray and make sacrifices for the souls there!

Jesus to St. Mechtilde:
‘Any person who intercedes for a soul in Purgatory, through compassion or charity, has a share in all the good done throughout the entire Church for that soul. And when that person dies he will find it all ready for the relief and the salvation of his own soul.’

Ecclesiasticus 7:37:
**‘A gift hath grace in the sight of all the living, and restrain not grace from the dead.’
**

 

[schaeffer]

When I was in school, 40+ years ago, I was taught as the OP’s daughter. This took place in second grade during preparation for the sacrament of reconciliation. We were also read a fable in a preparation book that told of a woman in purgatory. An angel from heaven let down an onion on a string and told her to grab hold and she would be lifted out. She grabbed hold and other hopeful souls grabbed her legs hoping to also be lifted free. But she still had a selfish heart and tried to kick them off. In doing so she broke the string and they all fell back into purgatory.

Obviously that story had a powerful effect and is with me to this day. That is not a bad thing. Perhaps she heard the same story?

 

[Joe_5859]

When I was in school, 40+ years ago, I was taught as the OP’s daughter. This took place in second grade during preparation for the sacrament of reconciliation. We were also read a fable in a preparation book that told of a woman in purgatory. An angel from heaven let down an onion on a string and told her to grab hold and she would be lifted out. She grabbed hold and other hopeful souls grabbed her legs hoping to also be lifted free. But she still had a selfish heart and tried to kick them off. In doing so she broke the string and they all fell back into purgatory.

Obviously that story had a powerful effect and is with me to this day. That is not a bad thing. Perhaps she heard the same story?

I guess that goes to show the importance of context and details. That story is much different to me than the version in the OP. But perhaps that is what the teacher was getting at.

Talking to the teacher in a non-confrontational manner would be good. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding. Or perhaps she misspoke.

 

[GEddie]

When I was in school, 40+ years ago, I was taught as the OP’s daughter. This took place in second grade during preparation for the sacrament of reconciliation. We were also read a fable in a preparation book that told of a woman in purgatory. An angel from heaven let down an onion on a string and told her to grab hold and she would be lifted out. She grabbed hold and other hopeful souls grabbed her legs hoping to also be lifted free. But she still had a selfish heart and tried to kick them off. In doing so she broke the string and they all fell back into purgatory.

Obviously that story had a powerful effect and is with me to this day. That is not a bad thing. Perhaps she heard the same story?

I heard the similar story as a child. Only they were in Hell.

The moral being that everybody in Hell deserves it, even if they think they don’t.

ICXC NIKA