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What does the 'eternity' of hell or heaven mean? It means 'captured unchangeably', whether in selfishness or a state of grace; either being held eternally without God, by the free choices of an individual soul, or being held forever in friendship with God, to the degree to which the soul enjoyed at the moment of death. As a fly, suddenly imprisoned by a drop of amber, is held 'forever' in the state it was in when the liquid fell upon it, so the soul retains forever its state at the moment of death - even though those held in God's friendship can undergo some purification.

Thousands and thousands of Saints are waiting to greet each happy soul who flies swiftly to Heaven, at death, and each happy soul who ascends from Purgatory, purified, into Heaven's light. Each soul is greeted with joy, love, and admiration.

It is a cause for sadness, that many people never pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory - amongst whom might be their own friends and relations. It is not a light matter, either, that many do not themselves believe that they might need purification after death; it's as if they imagine they will all be perfect, ready for Heaven!

The big question we should ask ourselves is: 'Am I ready for Heaven?' We have a great need for repentance, penance and purification.

Some people, even though they have been saved, see clearly when they die how ill-prepared they are for Heaven, as if wearing filthy clothes - because they have neglected penance and prayer. They see all this in Heaven's light- yet they also see how merciful is God, Who invites them into Purgatory.

Some people, even though they have been saved, see clearly when they die how ill-prepared they are for Heaven, as if wearing filthy clothes - because they have neglected penance and prayer. They see all this in Heaven's light- yet they also see how merciful is God, Who invites them into Purgatory.

All the Holy Souls in Purgatory are needing prayer, especially those who are in the depths of Purgatory, and those who have no-one to pray for them.

All the Holy Souls in Purgatory are needing prayer, especially those who are in the depths of Purgatory, and those who have no-one to pray for them.

It is right and necessary that we 'children of God' encourage others too to live in union with God through Baptism, and to persevere in love to the end. It is God's wish that when we are purified we enter Heaven as 'fire entering fire'. In God, there will be no more suffering or pain. Christ came down to earth, sharing our life, to offer us a share in His life.

Only in Heaven is everybody perfect. When we look upon other people in earthly life who seem to be without faith or hope we must look with patience and kindness. Perhaps they need time, as they consider entrusting their lives to God.

Those who are saved, at death, but in need of purification, are like people who travel a long way underground to a vast, bright area, with operating theatres and physiotherapy departments, where sick people are treated until they have been made fit enough to ascend the escalator to Life in Heaven.

Those who emerge from death all ready for Heaven, and those who emerge from Purgatory after purification, are like people finally standing on a platform at the station, with bag packed. They are joyful, free of anxiety, and looking forward to going 'home'.

There is a place not far from Heaven, called Purgatory, where people arrive to prepare for Heaven. It is as if they finally take off their dirty rags, and are re-clothed like royalty; then they process to their seats, wearing crowns, to join the Saints above - through the love and mercy of God Who rewards all who die in a state of grace.

Those who have remained faithful to God, yet who need purification, enter Purgatory, from which they can 'ascend' to Heaven when they are ready. Yet Hell awaits those who have insisted, until they die, on ignoring God or rebelling against His laws in serious matters; who will find themselves separated from Him, in Hell, unable to escape.

We can picture Heaven as being like a big party, where everyone is related, and, where people live together in mutual delight, love and care, in God's presence; yet careless or lukewarm friends of God are held and purified below, until they are ready to take part. Those who refuse God's friendship utterly, however, descend to Hell, where there is no hope of joy.

We are right to pray for souls in Purgatory, where good people are made perfect. No-one wants to leave Purgatory who cannot yet gaze upon God with child-like joy and gratitude.

It is a marvellous 'moment', when a soul is shown that he is perfectly purified, and is ready to leave Purgatory and enter Heaven. There, in the Father's light, he will meet his Saviour, Christ.

Catholics who want to do more than fulfil ordinary duties with little enthusiasm should follow the 'ladder' to Heaven, which consists of three stages: purgation, illumination and union. These lead to the heights of contemplation, and to eternal bliss in Heaven.

I saw a soul rising up from Purgatory like a man waking from a bad dream, who then gazed around him in wonder. On seeing Heaven's glory, he was amazed at its beauty, and full of joy that, in his purified state, he was about to enter.

God pours out into our souls tremendous graces when we confess our sins in the Sacrament of Penance. As a dirty room needs cleaning right into the corners, so our souls need purifying in every 'area' - by the grace of Christ, Who is at work in His Church.