Actually, living in one of the most RC areas in the country ...and having been to many many RC wakes ..I can say that Catholics assume everyone of their RC family and friends will end up in heaven ..."they are in a better place". Even heard a priest at a funeral mass say the woman was already a saint in heaven and everyone should pray for her.
Purgatory is a false assurance that one can burn off their "small " sins and move on up..
That is a false hope.. unless their family or friend heard and believed the gospel..they burn in a very hot place cursing God for not honoring their good works and faith in his church ...
**Purgatory is a false assurance that one can burn off their “small “ sins and move on up.. **
The correct definition of Purgatory is the reparation of our sins that we did not do on earth. Like saying sorry when you know you hurt someone, but would rather let them stew over it.
When the soul has accomplished all these reparations, and are pure, then they can enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Those were my words, now for the actual definition.
PURGATORY
The place or condition in which the souls of the just are purified after death and before they can enter heaven. They may be purified of the guilt of their venial sins, as in this life, by an act of contrition deriving from charity and performed with the help of grace. This sorrow does not, however, affect the punishment for sins, because in the next world there is no longer any possibility of merit. The souls are certainly purified by atoning for the temporal punishments due to sin by their willing acceptance of suffering imposed by God. The sufferings in purgatory are not the same for all, but proportioned to each person’s degree of sinfulness. Moreover, these sufferings can be lessened in duration and intensity through the prayers and good works of the faithful on earth. Nor are the pains incompatible with great peace and joy, since the poor souls deeply love God and are sure they will reach heaven. As members of the Church Suffering, the souls in purgatory can intercede for the persons on earth, who are therefore encouraged to invoke their aid. Purgatory will not continue after the general judgment, but its duration for any particular souls continues until it is free from all guilt and punishment. Immediately on purification the soul is assumed into heaven. (Etym. Latin purgatio, cleansing, purifying.)
All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon’s Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.