Purgatory

In Catholic doctrine, purgatory is the postmortem purification of people who die in God’s grace but still need cleansing before entering heaven. It is distinct from both heaven and final damnation.

Temporal punishment: In Catholic theology, the consequence of sin that remains after its guilt has been forgiven. Purgatorial purification addresses temporal consequences that remain after forgiveness.
2 Maccabees: A Jewish historical book that recounts prayers and offerings for deceased soldiers. Catholics cite its prayers for the dead as scriptural support for postmortem purification.
Martin Luther: A German theologian whose protests against church practices initiated the Protestant Reformation. Luther’s changing objections to purgatory helped make it a central Reformation controversy.
Mass for the dead: A Catholic Eucharistic liturgy offered for deceased people, especially for the repose of their souls. The Mass is a central form of intercession for the dead in purgatorial purification.
Sanctification: The process by which a person becomes holy and conformed to God. Purgatory completes the holiness required for communion with God.
1 Corinthians 3:11–15: A passage in which Paul describes a person’s work being tested by fire while the person is saved. Its image of salvation through fire became a major text in discussions of purgatory.
Indulgence: A Catholic remission of temporal punishment for sin, granted under specified conditions. Abuses in the preaching of indulgences tied purgatory to the Reformation dispute over church authority.
All Souls' Day: A Catholic observance on November 2 that commemorates and prays for all the faithful departed. Its prayers and commemorations focus especially on the souls believed to be in purgatory.
Particular judgment: In Catholic doctrine, God’s judgment of each person immediately after death. This judgment determines the soul’s destiny, including whether purification is needed.
Prayer for the dead: Religious intercession asking for divine mercy and aid for deceased people. Early Christian prayers for the dead helped shape belief that the departed could benefit from intercession.

Linked from 16 pages