[Secret Agent Man]

Personally I believe the process of cleansing your soul (ie “glorification”) happens the instant you die.

Just like Justification does.

The problem is the Roman Catholic church doesn’t think it happens instantly, that people can say masses for those “still” in purgatory - making it a temporal issue. Or in the past selling indulgences to people to pay for the release of loved ones they claim are still there.

[Mad Dawg]

The saying of masses or giving of alms does not imply that the soul is “still” in purgation. Good radiates in time and space.

[metmom]

It actually appears to be pretty much instantaneous upon repentance here on earth.

Luke 18:9-14 9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' 13But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Jesus considered the tax collector justified before he left the Temple.

[jroneil]

It doesn’t take thousands of temporal years to cleanse your soul. I don't make too much of the time aspects of purgatory. It has been licitly speculated that it doesn't take any time at all.

There is time in heaven an instant in heaven could be 1000 years hear or. Another way to look at it as you grow older time goes faster and seems shorter.Heaven is eternal a few minutes could feel like a life time or years.