Purgatory: great suffering or great charity?

07/31/2023
|By Fr. Felipe de Azevedo Ramos, EP

Summary of the Course

 

One of the doctrines of the Church that is least understood is certainly that of Purgatory. And curiously, it is also one of the most controversial. Protestants affirm that it has no Biblical foundation. Historians say that it is nothing but a medieval invention. Contemporary scholars consider it just a state of mind.

But, what is Purgatory? It often evokes images of terror and despair. It is associated with images of medieval torture chambers. But, little is spoken of the other side of the doctrine: that it is a true manifestation of the mercy of God and a most beautiful concept for those who truly seek to do His will.

In this course, Fr. Felipe Ramos presents the theological basics about the doctrine of Purgatory: its Biblical foundation, the opinion of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, the definitions of Church councils, the opinions of theologians, the refutation of errors concerning the doctrine, private revelations and experiences from beyond the grave that testify to its existence, and finally, what it means for our spiritual life.

Fr. Ramos holds that the doctrine of Purgatory needs a purgation , and he has set about to achieve just that!

Fr. Felipe de Azevedo Ramos, EP Fr. Felipe de Azevedo Ramos, EP

Fr. Felipe de Azevedo Ramos, EP, has a degree in Theology and a Doctorate in Philosophy from the Pontificia Università San Tommaso d'Aquino (Angelicum-Rome). His doctoral thesis received the highest grade and earned him two international awards. He also holds a postgraduate degree in Medieval Studies with the Diplôme Européen d'Études Médiévales (DEEM-FIDEM). He is editor of the journal Lumen Veritatis, translator and professor at the Aristotelian-Thomistic Philosophical Institute. He has published over a hundred articles in magazines in different countries.

Course Lessons

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Lesson 1 – Introduction – Purgatory needs a purgation!

In this lesson, Fr. Felipe Ramos introduces the subject. He begins by speaking about some of the most common objections that non-Catholics have about the existence…
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Lesson 2 – The Four Last Things and the ultimate end of man

The Book of Sirach has a very strong recommendation: “Remember your last end, and you shall never sin.” The Four Last Things in the life of…
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Lesson 3 – Why purification? Will all the just pass through Purgatory?

We live in a world that considers suffering as a disaster in a person’s life. But the Church has always taught that it is a benefit for man after Original Sin…
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Lesson 4 – Demonized Purgatory: the opponents of the doctrine of Purgatory

For Catholics, the doctrine of Purgatory is a most consoling truth. Yet, it is one of the most refuted teachings of the Church. Why is that? What are the principal oppositions…
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Lesson 5 – Is Purgatory really in the Bible?

There are certain oft-repeated myths that over time are taken to be unquestionable truths. One of these is the false notion that the Bible contains nothing…
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Lesson 6 – Tradition, the Fathers of the Church and Theology refine the doctrine

There are many things we believe as Catholics, that are not explicitly in the Bible. That is why the Church has the divinely invested authority to interpret Scripture…
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Lesson 7 – The Pain of Loss and the Pain of Sense

All that we saw in the previous lessons, is quite doctrinal and historical. But, what does Purgatory mean concretely to me? To my friends or family members who have…
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Lesson 8 – Inquiry into the Location and the Duration of Purgatory

After having discovered what the pains of Purgatory are all about, in this lesson, let’s try to make an inquiry into the location and duration of Purgatory…
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Lesson 9 – Greater charity of man or of God? The role of Mary

The final lesson talks about one of the most practical applications of all we learned: charity towards the holy souls in Purgatory. The souls in Purgatory cannot pray…

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