At the point of death, Catholics believe their soul separates from their earthly body. They face an immediate judgement by God who decides whether the person enters Heaven, goes to Purgatory or is damned to Hell. The Church accepts that most souls will go to Purgatory. This, in theological terms, is when the soul undergoes a period of purification from the sins committed on earth in preparation to enter into God's heavenly kingdom that is ultimately paradise. Those who are in complete denial of their maker, refusing to ask forgiveness for their sins, will be condemned to hell.
The concept of Purgatory is the reason why Catholics pray for people who have died, so that their souls and all the souls of the "faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace". Catholics particularly pray for their deceased loved ones on November 2nd, All Souls Day, and also throughout the month of November which is dedicated to the departed.
I was raised Roman Catholic myself and from what I have read here-Marsy's answer is closest to what we believe (or rather-what I was taught). We believe in Heaven, purgatory (where we go to "pay for our sins") and Hell. I am NOT sure where we go after our physical deaths BUT I personally believe that THIS EARTH is "purgatory"! Just my personal opinion. Overall, I'd say Marsy had has the most accurate answer of what Catholics believe happens to us when we die.
Any one that has excepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour reguardless Of their denomination will go to heaven, not limbo! Limbo is not scriptual! Paul said to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!2Cor5:8, also Jesus said to the thief on the cross, this day thou shalt be with Me in Paradise! Luk.23:42,43...Genaveve
Catholics who die in a state of grace (not seriously alienated from God by sin) go to Heaven, sometimes by way of Purgatory. Limbo is not a doctrine of the Catholic faith, just a hypothetical answer to the question of where unbaptized babies go when they die. If water baptism is necessary for entrance into heaven, and an unbaptized baby who has not sinned, dies, can he enter heaven? Original sin would keep him out, without personal sin. Would God condemn him to the torments of Hell? Hard to believe). But thanks to Adam, all of us are born in a state of original sin and not fit for Heaven. Purgatory is the place/process/whatever by which those who are in a state of grace but not quite perfect enough for heaven are made ready to see God face to face. Catholics must believe in purgatory (all those Biblical references and common sense), but they are not required to believe in limbo.
I'm in agreement with Marcy -given half my family are Catholic in Faith. I can't however understand where this idea of Purgatory came from. I also cannot find any examples in Holy Scripture where anyone prays for a deceased person. I never could understand in various Faiths (including my own) why we have to change things. What was wrong with the way the Apostles and Disciples did things?
The living know that they shall die but the dead knows not anything, neither have they any more a reward for the memory of them is forgotten also their love their hatred and their envy is perished forever neither have they any portion forever in anything that is done under the sun, until the Resurrection of the dead on the day of judgment. This is the portion of all men who die from what ever religion.
Mormons believe that all mankind are eligible to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. It is based on your obedience to the commandments during this life. Johovah Witness's believe in the 144,000 going to Heaven.
Catholics believe that you go two heaven after you die where saint peter waits at the pearl gates and lets you in if you have done good things in your life if not you got to hell to be tortured
When you lose your life to your Catholic Religion, then you won't find the true joy, and Happiness we desire to have. Do you know where and what the Catholic Religion and what the True definition of Catholic is. And what God defines what Religion is? Do further research. God will tell you where in his word, The Bible. Read it, you will be amazed at what God tells you about everything you want and need to know. Need more. Go to a Christian Church, I will help you in any way I can. What happens when Catholics Die, they die, pass away in the grave, or their bodies get burned, but their spirit still lives until Judgment.
I was baptized catholic, raised Methodist, and now stand as a man of science and fit under mans category of agnostic. I am not about to mock religion, but stay with me on this. I am one of the most honest people in the world. Apologize from the heart. Go out of my way to help others. I have a habit of saying the right thing to perfect strangers that brings a smile. "Life is fantastic!" When I die, let's say I show up at the pearly gates and St. Peter. Says, "So you never believed?" My response would be, "Yes, and what a mistake, sorry!" If that is not good enough for them, then I wish to go to a much better place anyway.
George57 hi, what is said here must be backed up with the bible, Funeral ,of the catholic , getting the holy spirit after he is dead, come on , are you kidding, also purgatory, lets see what does the bible say, it christ, is the way, not a thing more, no works, mass, confession box, or mary, romans 3:10-12 says none are righteous, no not one, also mary, my queston is if a catholic stays in the catholic church , then dies , in the teaching, will they have salvation, we sometime forget that it said 150,000 people die everyday, many or most will find hell, stop fooling around and get born again, .god bless george57
The bible actually states that only 144,000 go to heaven they are the anointed ones. Everyone else will live in paradise upon earth. Hell is the grave where we all go until we are resurrected after Armageddon, this is when God will judge us. If we die at Armageddon we will not be resurrected.
