Denver, Colo., Nov 1, 2011 / 23:50 pm
Though purgatory can be considered strictly a place of punishment, author Susan Tassone describes it as a “masterpiece of God’s mercy.”
“It’s not punishment—it’s a loving purgatory,” explained Tassone, who has written six books on the subject including, “Praying With the Saints for the Holy Souls in Purgatory” (Our Sunday Visitor, $10).
“(God) gives us this chance to cleanse … to purify our souls with his own attributes.”
On All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2, Catholics pray for the poor souls in purgatory—those believed to be completing their journey to heaven. In accordance with Church teaching, purgatory is a place for those who departed life in God’s grace, “not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions.”