God’s Mercy That Purifies
Opening Prayer
Lord God,
You are holy and merciful.
Help us understand Your justice and Your love.
Teach us to trust in Your mercy
and pray for those who have died.
Amen.
Part One
Nothing Unclean
God is perfectly holy.
Heaven is perfect joy
because it is perfect love.
The Bible says:
“There shall not enter into it any thing defiled.”
This does not mean
God looks for reasons to reject us.
It means heaven is completely pure.
Sometimes a person dies
in friendship with God
but still needing purification.
They may have forgiven others
but still carry small selfish habits.
They may love God
but not yet perfectly.
Purgatory is God’s mercy
for those souls.
It is not a second chance.
It is not punishment.
It is purification.
Scripture
“There shall not enter into it any thing defiled.”
(Apocalypse 21:27)
Think and Discuss
Why does heaven need to be perfectly pure?
Can someone love God and still need growth?
Why would purification be a mercy?
How does this show both justice and love?
Allow thoughtful answers.
Part Two
What Purgatory Is
Purgatory is for those
who die in God’s grace
but are not yet fully purified.
They are saved.
They are destined for heaven.
But they need to be cleansed
of the effects of sin.
We do not know exactly
what this purification is like.
The Church teaches that it involves suffering —
not the suffering of despair,
but the longing for God.
It is a hopeful purification.
The souls in purgatory
are certain of heaven.
They are not abandoned.
They are being prepared
for perfect joy.
This is a sign of God’s kindness.
He does not leave us half-healed.
He completes what He has begun.
Guidance for Adults
Avoid dramatic descriptions.
Emphasise hope, purification, and certainty of heaven.
Part Three
We Can Help
One beautiful truth is this:
We can pray for the souls in purgatory.
Because we belong to the Communion of Saints,
our prayers help them.
The Bible says:
“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought
to pray for the dead.”
When we pray for those who have died,
we perform an act of love.
We remember them.
We entrust them to God’s mercy.
At Mass,
we often pray for the deceased.
Offering Mass for someone
is a powerful act of charity.
Purgatory teaches us two things:
First,
God takes holiness seriously.
Second,
God’s mercy is patient.
He desires that we be fully ready
for heaven.
It also reminds us
to seek purification now.
Through Confession.
Through penance.
Through charity.
The more we allow God to purify us in this life,
the more ready we will be.
Quiet Reflection
Sit quietly for a moment.
Think of someone who has died.
Now say quietly:
“Lord, grant them rest.”
Remain in silence together.
Practise This Week
Choose one:
• Pray for the souls in purgatory.
• Offer a small sacrifice for someone who has died.
• Attend Mass and remember a deceased person.
• Ask God to purify your heart now.
Choose one and keep it steady.
Optional Response
Choose one:
Memory
Repeat slowly:
“A holy and wholesome thought.”
Say it three times thoughtfully.
Action
Make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“Lord, have mercy on the departed.”
Closing Prayer
Lord,
In Your mercy,
purify those who have died in Your friendship.
Bring them to the fullness of heaven.
Help us grow in holiness now
and trust in Your mercy.
Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 