Does Purgatory Really Exist?/Children at Mass

Q Does purgatory really exist?

A Yes, purgatory exists; references are made in the Bible and in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  

Although the actual word purgatory is not in the Bible, the reference is there.  Scripture is clear when it speaks of heaven, “… nothing unclean will enter it” (Rv 21:27).  In other words, we must be purified of all attachment to sin before we can enter into heaven.  Another biblical passage that alludes to purgatory is in Chapter 12 of the Second Book of Maccabees where Judas Maccabeus and his army prayed for those who had fallen in battle while fighting for the Lord, asking that their sinful deeds would be wiped away: “… for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead.  But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought” (2 Mc 12:44-45). 

Paragraphs 1030 and 1031 of the Catechism states:  “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but, after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.  The church gives the name purgatory to this final purification. ”  

Paragraph 1472 goes on to state: “every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state call purgatory.”

Our ultimate goal in this life should be to get to heaven, but how many of us are completely purified, with no attachment to sin, at the time of our death?  Most of us will need purgatory to be purified because God’s “eyes are too pure to look upon wickedness and the sight of evil (He) cannot endure” (Hb 1:13).      

Q  Should I bring my small children to sit in the pews with me during Mass?  They might cry and disrupt the congregation.

A Yes, it is appropriate. In fact you are encouraged to bring your small children into church during the Mass, regardless of their age.  This will help form their faith and help them to be able to fully participate in the eucharistic celebration.  Children are part of the church, as much as the rest of us; we are all one body.  And, let’s not forget what Jesus said:  “Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Mt 19:14).

Here are some tips that will hopefully make bringing your child to church a more pleasant experience:

For toddlers, feed them and change their diaper before Mass.  

Pack a special bag for church.  Include a religious themed book, colors and a coloring book, diapers and maybe even a snack for the little ones.  

Arrive early, to get you and your child settled before Mass.

If you have toddlers, sit in a pew close to the cry room.  Try to avoid going directly to the cry room to put them down to play.  We don’t want your children to think of the cry room as a “play” room.  However, if needed, go to the cry room, until they quiet down, then return to your pew.

If your children are a little older, sit in one of the first pews so that they can see what is going on.  This will help them understand what is taking place.  Sometimes, you might have to explain quietly what is happening.

If your child cries during Mass, that’s OK.  Many years ago when my wife and I lived in Houma, we would go down the bayou to St. Anthony’s Church.  One Sunday, while Father (Gerald) Hayes was giving his sermon, there were several babies crying.  He stopped his homily and said “Don’t worry about the babies crying.  They are just saying their prayers!”  

If your children are good during Mass, praise them.  Maybe even give them a special treat.

Don’t get frustrated.  Bring them to church, if at all possible.  Sometimes it’s not about us; it’s about passing your faith on to your children. Be patient!

Many parishioners love to see small children at Mass.  Don’t be surprised if someone thanks you for bringing them to church.  Sometimes, you might not feel that you are getting much out of Mass, but do the best you can and let God do the rest.

Deacon Hooper is a deacon assistant at Immaculate Conception Church in Denham Springs. He can be reached at ghooper@diobr.org.