Purgatory: how does it work?

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2018aj

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I am confuse how purgatory works. Do the people who died and never heared of the gospel go to purgatory? Where is purgatory in the bible? What happens in purgatory and the souls there? Do they go to heaven after some time?

Thanks for answering! šŸ˜Š
 
Purgatory is the state by which our souls are purified of the effects of sin.

Only the saved go to Purgatory, and only if they are in need of purification. It is a temporary state, everyone in purgatory will be in Heaven eventually.

We do not know the specific mechanics of it, but Jesus uses the example of the purification of Gold, as through fire, so we can draw some conclusions from that. Private revelation reveals it as a place of painful purging, but also as a place of extreme joy. After all, everyone in purgatory is saved, they made it, no more running the race. Itā€™s only a matter of ā€œtimeā€ before they experience the joy of Heaven forever.
 
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This is all great information. I would only add a few items to it, since they are related to the topic.

The souls in Purgatory cannot help themselves: they are passive in the process of purgation, rather than active participants. However, we can pray for them and they can pray for us. Indeed we ought to, as praying for the living and the dead is one of the spiritual works of mercy.

Also keep in mind that every year on November 2nd, the faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence for someone in Purgatory, as described here: All Souls Day and Why Catholics Celebrate It
 
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