By Purgatory we mean a place where souls suffer for a time after death on account of their sins, 1 Cor. iii. 15: "Some shall be saved, yet so as by fire.'' We are In communion with the souls in Purgatory by helping them with our prayers and good works.--Catechism

St Padre Pio’s visions of the souls in Purgatory

In May, 1922, Padre Pio testified the following to the Bishop of Melfi, His Excellency Alberto Costa and also the superior of the friary, Padre Lorenzo of San Marco along with 5 other friars. One of the five friars, Fra Alberto D' Apolito of San Giovanni Rotondo wrote down the account as follows:

"While in the friary on a winter afternoon after a heavy snowfall, he was sitting by the fireplace one evening in the guest room, absorbed in prayer, when an old man, wearing an old-fashioned cloak still worn by southern Italian peasants at the time, sat down beside him. Concerning this man Pio states: ‘I could not imagine how he could have entered the friary at this time of night since all the doors are locked. I questioned him: 'Who are you? What do you want?'

The old man told him, "Padre Pio, I am Pietro Di Mauro, son of Nicola, nicknamed Precoco." He went on to say, "I died in this friary on the 18th of September, 1908, in cell number 4, when it was still a poorhouse. One night, while in bed, I fell asleep with a lighted cigar, which ignited the mattress and I died, suffocated and burned. I am still in Purgatory. I need a holy Mass in order to be freed. God permitted that I come and ask you for help."

According to Padre Pio: "After listening to him, I replied, 'Rest assured that tomorrow I will celebrate Mass for your liberation.' I arose and accompanied him to the door of the friary, so that he could leave. I did not realize at that moment that the door was closed and locked: I opened it and bade him farewell The moon lit up the square, covered with snow. When I no longer saw him in front of me, I was taken by a sense of fear, and I closed the door, reentered the guest room, and felt faint.”

A few days later, Padre Pio also told the story to Padre Paolino, and the two decided to go to the town hall, where they looked at the vital statistics for the year I908 and found that on September 18 of that year, one Pietro Di Mauro had in fact died of burns and asphyxiation in Room Number 4 at the friary, then used as a home for the homeless.

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Padre Pio's encounters with the Holy Souls in Purgatory became frequent in his later years, to the point where it was an everyday experience for him.  

The story is told that during a meal in the refectory, suddenly Padre Pio arose and went to answer the front door, even though none of the other friars present had heard anyone knocking.  He stood in the ajar doorway speaking to someone outside, and this attracted the attention of some of the others present at the meal whereby they went close to the door to listen and see for themselves.  As they peeked around Padre Pio they could see no one outside the door, yet the Padre continued to talk toward the outdoors.

He was saying things that he would have said to any passing friends who were not about to stop in but were only being polite by offering their greetings as they passed down the road.

After a few moments, Padre Pio waved 'good-bye' and closed the door, then returning to his seat at table, leaving the other friars gathered at the door, who opened the door again and looked outside to see an empty porch and an empty road beyond.

Puzzled, they too returned to table, asking Padre Pio to whom he had been speaking, outside the door.  He replied, Oh, those were so-and-so (he mentioned a few specific names), who were thanking us for our help in their release from Purgatory.  

Padre Pio greeted souls like this on their way to paradise every day, and had something like a personal friendship with them, so as to greet and bid farewell as though it were a very normal part of life for him.

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From the manuscript of Sister M. de L.C., written from 1874-1890...

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Very lucid (and sobering) insights.

While all here believe in Purgatory, we do meet Protestants who ridicule the existence of Purgatory. This online tract may be helpful in explaining the biblical exposition of Purgatory: http://judaism101.proboards dot com/thread/37/say-purgatory-bible

"It don't say 'purgatory' in the Bible"


The word “purgatory” comes from the Latin “purgare,” to purify. These verses cited here refer to “purifying,” “cleansing,” and the need of the dead for our prayers. Please keep in mind a simple concept: the Old and New Testaments were written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—NOT English.

Again I refer you to the BIBLE, the Book of the Apocalypse 21:27, that nothing unclean enters Heaven:

There shall not enter into it any thing defiled, or that worketh abomination or maketh a lie, but they that are written in the book of life of the Lamb.


Cleansing and purification are necessary.

Purgatory is a temporary state of purification for those who have died in a state of grace, but who still have lingering imperfections that warrant cleansing (e.g., venial sins, earthly attachments, self-will).

Notice that even in the Old Testament it was taught to pray for the dead. If the deceased went to hell for an eternity, why pray? Those in hell cannot be helped. If the deceased went directly to heaven for an eternity, why pray? Those already in Heaven do not need our help. So, why pray for the dead? Because those who die in a state of grace, still need to be cleansed.

Purgatory appears in both the Old Testament AND the New Testament. The verses do not say “purgatory,” but the verses speak of the need to pray for the dead for their cleansing and purification, of being “in the dark” until God brings the dead “into the light,” the need for perfection, etc.:

2 Maccabees 12:46


Leviticus 26:41,43



Isaias 4:4; 6:5-7; 33:11-13


Micheas 7:8-9


Zacharias 9:11
Matthew 5:25-26, 48; 12:32-36; 18:34ff


Luke 12:58ff; 16:19-31


1 Corinthians 3:10-16


2 Corinthians 5:10; 7:1


Ephesians 4:8-10


Philippians 2:10-11


Hebrews 12:14, 29


James 3:2
1

Peter 3:19; 4:6


Apocalypse 5:3, 13; 21:7

Instead of talking about the Bible, Protestants should READ it… intelligently.

Catholics do have the advantage because we believe the Bible, including 2 Thessalonians 2:14: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle.”

Yes, the Bible commands you to observe not just the written word, but also the authentic oral Apostolic Tradition. So, while those verses do not contain the English word “purgatory,” they most definitely teach that the dead need our prayers during the time of their purification in Purgatory before entering heaven.

LINK

Quote from: poche

From the manuscript of Sister M. de L.C., written from 1874-1890...

http://gloria.tv/?media=290092

Very lucid (and sobering) insights.

While all here believe in Purgatory, we do meet Protestants who ridicule the existence of Purgatory. This online tract may be helpful in explaining the biblical exposition of Purgatory: http://judaism101.proboards dot com/thread/37/say-purgatory-bible

Quote

"It don't say 'purgatory' in the Bible"


The word “purgatory” comes from the Latin “purgare,” to purify. These verses cited here refer to “purifying,” “cleansing,” and the need of the dead for our prayers. Please keep in mind a simple concept: the Old and New Testaments were written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—NOT English.

Again I refer you to the BIBLE, the Book of the Apocalypse 21:27, that nothing unclean enters Heaven:

There shall not enter into it any thing defiled, or that worketh abomination or maketh a lie, but they that are written in the book of life of the Lamb.


Cleansing and purification are necessary.

Purgatory is a temporary state of purification for those who have died in a state of grace, but who still have lingering imperfections that warrant cleansing (e.g., venial sins, earthly attachments, self-will).

Notice that even in the Old Testament it was taught to pray for the dead. If the deceased went to hell for an eternity, why pray? Those in hell cannot be helped. If the deceased went directly to heaven for an eternity, why pray? Those already in Heaven do not need our help. So, why pray for the dead? Because those who die in a state of grace, still need to be cleansed.

Purgatory appears in both the Old Testament AND the New Testament. The verses do not say “purgatory,” but the verses speak of the need to pray for the dead for their cleansing and purification, of being “in the dark” until God brings the dead “into the light,” the need for perfection, etc.:

2 Maccabees 12:46


Leviticus 26:41,43



Isaias 4:4; 6:5-7; 33:11-13


Micheas 7:8-9


Zacharias 9:11
Matthew 5:25-26, 48; 12:32-36; 18:34ff


Luke 12:58ff; 16:19-31


1 Corinthians 3:10-16


2 Corinthians 5:10; 7:1


Ephesians 4:8-10


Philippians 2:10-11


Hebrews 12:14, 29


James 3:2
1

Peter 3:19; 4:6


Apocalypse 5:3, 13; 21:7

Instead of talking about the Bible, Protestants should READ it… intelligently.

Catholics do have the advantage because we believe the Bible, including 2 Thessalonians 2:14: “Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle.”

Yes, the Bible commands you to observe not just the written word, but also the authentic oral Apostolic Tradition. So, while those verses do not contain the English word “purgatory,” they most definitely teach that the dead need our prayers during the time of their purification in Purgatory before entering heaven.

LINK

Good points.

There are a lot of dogmatic truths in Christianity not specifically mentioned in the Bible.  

Transubstantiation is not in the Bible by name.
The Immaculate Conception is not literally there, nor is the Assumption of Mary.
Papal infallibility is not specifically found in the Bible, by name.
"Outside the Church there is no salvation" isn't found either.
The Blessed Trinity is not literally found in Scripture, but it can be deduced.

I have heard good preachers say that the principal difference between Protestantism and Catholicism is that the Church teaches that Scripture and Sacred Tradition have EQUAL authority, in fact, Scripture owes its existence to the prior existence of Tradition, since for the first 3 centuries there was no New Testament, and it eventually emerged out of Tradition.  So Tradition comes first, then came Scripture.

Relying on the Bible alone is akin to trying to fly an airplane with one wing missing.

Aviators can relate to that right away.

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"Outside the Church there is no salvation" isn't found either.

Actually you can find this implied;

From Acts:27:29-31

29 Fearing that we would run aground on a rocky coast, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 The sailors then tried to abandon ship; they lowered the dinghy to the sea on the pretext of going to lay out anchors from the bow. 31 But Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved."

THE LORD’S PRAYER — For the Souls of the Dead

When once Saint Mechtilde offered her Holy Communion for the souls of those who have died, Jesus appeared to her and said. “Say just one ‘Our Father’ for them. “She understood that this prayer has to he said in the following way. Having prayed in the manner instructed by Christ Our Lord, she saw innumerable souls entering Heaven. (Bk5 Chapter 21)

Our Father Who art in heaven:

We ask you to forgive the souls remaining in purgatory, for not loving You, for not giving You the praise You deserve, their most loving Father, who chose them as beloved children, out of particular grace and mercy. Indeed, they dismissed You from their hearts, where You chose to make Your home – and always longed to abide. We now offer to You in reparation on their behalf, the love and praise Your beloved Son offered to You on this earth. We offer these with His perfect atonement through which You forgave all their sins. Amen.

Hallowed be Thy Name:

We ask you to forgive the souls of those who died for not praising Your most Holy Name, for not using Your Name with sufficient piety during their lives, for so often taking Your Name in vain—and throughout their lives becoming unworthy of being called Christians. Therefore in reparation of their great sins, we offer You the perfect Holiness of Your Beloved Son, who praised Your Holy Name and made it known in His teachings and in all His Holy deeds on earth. Amen.

Thy Kingdom Come:

We ask You, Gracious Father, to forgive the souls of those who have died, who never longed for You nor attempted even to strive for Your Kingdom – where there is constant everlasting peace and where joy and glory ever reign. In reparation for their indifference in accomplishing any good deeds during their lives, we offer You the Holy desires of Your Most Holy Son, through which He longed for us all to partake in His Kingdom. Amen.

Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven:

We ask you, Dearest Father, to forgive the souls of those who have died especially souls of religious orders who made their will into Yours – and who did not always love Thy Will, but often lived according to their own will – and opposed Your Will. In reparation of their disobedience, we offer You the union of the Sacred Heart with Your Will, His obedience to You, in which He remained unto His death on the cross.
Amen.

Give us the day our daily bread:

We ask You, Gracious Father, to forgive the souls of the dead, for not receiving the Blessed Sacrament with sufficient longing and piety, without love so often, and considerable numbers of them – unworthily, infrequently or even not at all. For these sins of theirs, in reparation, we offer You the unfathomable holiness, ardent love and longing with which Your Son gave us all the precious gift of His Body and Blood. Amen.

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us:

We ask You, most Merciful Father, to forgive the souls who have died, all the mortal sins they committed in their lives and particularly to forgive all the people who offended them. Please forgive them for not loving their enemies. For all these sins, we offer to You in reparation the sweetest prayer of Jesus on the cross – when He prayed to You for His enemies. Amen.

And lead us not into temptation:

We ask You, Kindest Father, to forgive the souls of the dead, for not resisting anger and lust, that so often they obeyed the whispers of Satan and their own flesh thereby with such numerous sins disfiguring their souls. In reparation we offer You the Glorious Victory of Your Son – over the world and the Devil. We offer also the whole of His most holy life with all His works, labours, passion and death. Amen.

But deliver us from evil:

And all the souls remaining in purgatory – save them all from all evil and from all punishment. We ask this through the merits of Your Beloved Son. Lead us to Your Kingdom of Glory, the Glory which You, Yourself, are, Amen

The immense power of the Mass for the souls in Purgatory

Next, from the excellent book “Purgatory –Explained by the Lives and Legends of the Saints” by Father F.X. Schouppe, S.J., Tan Books, 1986 we read the following accounts which highlight the power and importance of offering holy Masses for the departed. The following is a sincere testimony from the person who experienced several visits from a soul in purgatory, and thus she provides a detailed and frank eye-witness account with regard to the facts:

On October 13, 1849, there died at the age of fifty-two, in the parish of Ardoye, in Flanders, a woman named Eugenie Van de Kerckove, whose husband, John Wybo, was a farmer. She was a pious and charitable woman who generously gave to charity in proportionate to her means. She had, to the end of her life, a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and abstained from meat in her honor on the Friday and Saturday of each week. Although her conduct was not free from certain faults, she otherwise led a exemplary and edifying life.

Eugenie had a servant named Barbara Vennecke, aged twenty-eight, who was known as a virtuous and devoted girl, and who had assisted her mistress in her last sickness, and after Eugenie’s death, she continued to serve her master, John Wybo, the widower of Eugenie.

About three weeks after her death, the deceased appeared to her servant under circuмstances which we will now relate. It was in the middle of the night; Barbara slept soundly, when she heard herself called distinctly three times by her name. She awoke with a start, and saw Eugenie before her, sitting on the side of her bed, clad in a working dress, consisting of a skirt and short jacket. At this remarkable sight, Barbara was seized with astonishment. The apparition spoke to her: “Barbara," she said, simply pronouncing her name. “What do you desire, Eugenie?" replied the servant.

‘Please take," said the mistress, “the little rake which I often told you to put in its place; stir the heap of sand in the little room; you know to which one I refer. You will find there 500 franks; use it to have Masses said, two francs for each Mass, for my intention, for I am still suffering." “I will do so, Eugenie," replied Barbara, and at the same moment the apparition vanished. After awhile she fell asleep again, and reposed quietly until morning:

On awaking, Barbara thought that maybe it was all just a dream, but yet she had been so deeply impressed, so wide awake, she had seen her old mistress in a form so distinct, so full of life and she had received from her lips such precise directions, that she could not help saying, “This cannot have been a dream. I saw my mistress in person; she presented herself to my eyes and she surely spoke to me. It is no dream, but a reality."

She therefore immediately went and took the rake as directed, stirred the sand, and drew out a purse containing the sum of five hundred francs.

In such strange and extraordinary circuмstances the good girl thought it her duty to seek the advice of her pastor before spending the 500 francs on having Masses said, and went to relate to him all that had happened. The venerable Abbe R., then parish priest of Ardoye, replied that the Masses asked by the departed soul absolutely must be celebrated, but, in order to dispose of the sum of money, the consent of the husband, John Wybo, was necessary, since the money was found in his house. The latter willingly consented that the money should be employed for so holy a purpose, and the Masses were celebrated, being given two francs for each Mass.

We call attention to the circuмstance of the Mass donations, because it corresponded with the pious cus¬tom of the deceased. The fee for a Mass fixed by the diocese at that time was a franc and a half, but during her lifetime Eugenie-through consideration and charity for the clergy, many of whom were quite poor- always gave two francs for each Mass that she made offerings for. Thus the extra 1/2 a frank Mass offering that she normally made was an act of charity and additional financial support for the priests who celebrated them.

Two months after the first apparition, while Masses were still being said for Eugenie’s intentions, Barbara was again awakened during the night. This time her chamber was illuminated with a bright light, and her mistress appeared before her with a radiant smile, beautiful and fresh in appearance as in the days of her youth, and was dressed in a robe of dazzling whiteness—“Barbara," she said in a clear voice, “I thank you! For I am now delivered from the place of purification.' Saying these words, she disappeared, and the chamber became dark as before.

The servant, amazed at what she had just seen, was full of joy, and she soon spread the remarkable story to everyone about the town . This apparition made the most lively impression upon her mind, and she pre¬serves to this day the most consoling remembrance of it. It is from her that we have these details, through the favor of the venerable Abbe L., who was curate at Ardoye when these facts occurred.


This is but one of the many stories in regards to the power and efficacy of the Holy Mass wherein the Son of God Himself offers Himself upon the altar for the forgiveness of our sins, for it is a fact that of all that we can do in favor of the souls in Purgatory, there is nothing more powerful and precious than the offering of immolation of our Divine Saviour upon the altar. Besides being the express doctrine of the Church as manifested in her Councils, there are many mirac¬ulous facts, properly authenticated, which leave no room for doubt in regard to this point.

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