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Immaculate
26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”
Advent Watch
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
Myths about Purgatory
It’s probably safe to say that for most Protestant Christians, there are few doctrines more “Catholic” than Purgatory. Unfortunately, most people’s understanding of Purgatory is fraught with myths and misconceptions. First, here’s how the Catechism of the Catholic Church describes Purgatory:
Purifying Fire
"So that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold, which, though perishable, is tested by fire..." (1 Peter 1:7) A commonly misunderstood teaching of the Church concerns Purgatory. Purgatory is not a second chance for damned souls to repent. Instead it is a state of cleansing and purification for souls destined for heaven. Also, Purgatory is not a means to earn our way to heaven, but a gift from God preparing us to see Him face to face. Even though not explicitly referred to by name, the Bible does allude to it, especially in terms of purging fire.
Purgatory in Scripture
Is the Catholic belief in Purgatory in Scripture? Yes. See 2 Samuel 12:13-18: David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." And Nathan said to David, "The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child that is born to you shall die."
Purgatory in the Bible
25 Descriptive and Clear Bible Passages about Purgatory -- Psalm 66:12 (RSV) "Thou didst let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet thou hast brought us forth to a spacious place." This verse was considered a proof of purgatory by Origen and Saint Ambrose, who posits the water of baptism and the fire of purgatory.
Holy Souls in Purgatory
November is traditionally remembered as the Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, and on Friday, November 2, we observe All Souls’ Day. It is important, however, to pray throughout the year for our dearly departed loved ones so they may achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification. In reference to a cleansing fire, for example, we read in the First Letter to the Corinthians 3:15, “If someone’s work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire.”
A Priest with a Missionary Heart
Rev. Feddy Himawan, M.S.F. is a priest of the Missionaries of the Holy Family from the Java Province of Indonesia. He served as pastor of Holy Family Parish in New Braunfels, Texas for over nine years. In June 2018, he returned to his home province in Indonesia. He is greatly missed! It is our hope that he will work with us again in the North American Province sometime in the future. For the Messenger and for World Mission Sunday, he answered some questions about his fascinating life.
Spirit of Wisdom
7 I prayed and prudence was given me; I pleaded and the spirit of Wisdom came to me. 8 I preferred her to scepter and throne, and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her, 9 nor did I liken any priceless gem to her; because all gold, in view of her, is a bit of sand, and before her, silver is to be accounted mire. 10 Beyond health and beauty I loved her, and I chose to have her rather than the light, because her radiance never ceases.
Adam's Rib
18 The Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” 19 So out of the ground, the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.