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Thursday 30 October 2008

Purgatory, Hell & Heaven


Set out below is an account of the experience of a priest who died and was shown Hell, Purgatory and Heaven. It is of course only his personal experience but there is nothing in it which is contrary to faith and I trust that some of you might find, as I did, that it was a warning and an encouragement.
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On Sunday April 14, 1985, the Feast of the Divine Mercy, Fr Tom Maniyangat was going to celebrate Mass at a mission church in the north part of Kerala, and he had a fatal accident. He had a head on collision with a jeep. He was rushed to a hospital about 35 miles away but he died on the way.
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Fr Tom's soul left his body and he experienced death. He saw his body and the people who were carrying him to the hospital. He heard them crying and praying for him.He then met his Guardian angel. His angel said to him: "I am going to take you to Heaven, the Lord wants to meet you and talk with you." He also said that as part of that journey he wanted to show Fr Tom hell and purgatory.
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This is how Fr Tom describes his visit to Hell and Purgatory Hell"First, the angel escorted me to hell. It was an awful sight! I saw Satan and the devils, an unquenchable fire ,worms crawling, people screaming and fighting, others being tortured by demons. I was told there are seven "degrees" or levels of suffering in the netherworld. Those who committed "mortal sin after mortal sin" in life were suffering the most intense heat. They had bodies and looked very ugly, so cruel and ugly, horrifying. They were human but like monsters: fearful, ugly-looking things. The angel told me that all these sufferings were due to unrepented mortal sins.Then, I understood that there are seven degrees of suffering or levels according to the number and kinds of mortal sins committed in their earthly lives. The souls looked very ugly, cruel and horrific. It was a fearful experience. I saw people whom I knew but I am not allowed to reveal their identities. The sins that convicted them were mainly abortion, homosexual acts, sins of the flesh, euthanasia, hatefulness, lack of forgiveness and sacrilege.
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The angel told me that if they had repented they would have avoided hell and gone instead to purgatory. I also understood that some people who repent from these sins might be purified on earth through their sufferings. This way they can avoid purgatory and go straight to heaven. I was surprised when I saw in hell even Priests and Bishops, some of whom I never expected to see. Many of them were there because they had misled the people with false teaching and bad example.
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After the visit to hell, my Guardian angel escorted me to Purgatory. Here too, there are seven degrees of suffering and unquenchable fire. But it is far less intense than hell and there was neither quarreling nor fighting. The main suffering of these souls is their separation from God. Some of those who are in Purgatory committed numerous mortal sins; but they were reconciled with God before their death. Even though these souls are suffering, they enjoy peace and the knowledge that one day they will see God face to face.I had a chance to communicate with the souls in Purgatory. They asked me to pray for them and to tell the people to pray for them as well, so they can go to heaven quickly.
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When we pray for these souls we will receive their gratitude through their prayers and once they enter heaven their prayers become even more meritorious.
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Next, my angel escorted me to heaven passing through a big dazzling white tunnel. I never experienced this much peace and joy in my life. Then immediately the heaven opened up and I heard the most delightful music, which I never heard before. The angels were singing and praising God. I saw all the saints, especially the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph, and many dedicated holy Bishops and Priests who were shining like stars.
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And when I appeared before the Lord, Jesus told me: "I want you to go back to the world. In your second life you will be an instrument of peace and healing to my people. You will walk in a foreign land and you will speak in a foreign tongue. Everything is possible for you with my grace." After these words, the Blessed Mother told me, "Do whatever He tells you. [John 2:5] I will help you in your ministries."Words can not express the beauty of heaven. There we find so much peace and happiness, which exceed a million times our imagination.
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Our Lord is far more beautiful than any image can convey. His face is radiant and luminous and more beautiful than a thousand rising suns. The pictures we see in the world are only a shadow of His magnificence. The Blessed Mother was next to Jesus; she was so beautiful and radiant. None of the images we see in this world can compare with her real beauty. Heaven is our real home: we are all created to reach heaven and enjoy God forever.
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Back to Earth.
As they were moving my dead body to the morgue, my soul came back to the body. I felt an excruciating pain because of so many wounds and broken bones. I began to scream and then the people became frightened and ran away screaming.One of them approached the doctor and said: "The dead body is screaming." The doctor came to examine the body and found that I was alive. So he said: "Father is alive. It is a miracle - take him back to the hospital."

50 comments:

Adullamite said...

The bible does not mention purgatory.

Anonymous said...

The Bible does mention a place of cleansing. We here on earth call it purgatory. Christ said that no one would enter Heaven until the last penny was paid. Also throughout the old and new testament there are numerous accounts of prophets and people praying and offering sacrifices for the dead.

Anonymous said...

Dear Adullamite
It does not mention the Trinity but it exist. Have faith.

Tim's Blog said...

All throughout the Bible there is talk of praying for the dead and sacrificing for the dead. That would be useless for the souls already in Heaven forever. They have no need of our prayers. Niether do the souls in Hell - all the prayers in the world do them n good. The only conclusion left is that there is a place of expiation where the soul 'pays back' any leftover debt before eternal happiness that wasn't settled before death (excluding mortal sin). Purgatory is simple, common sense - not over-complicated dogma. And lastly, I find Purgatory very comforting and I get a kick out of how much anger it stirs - you think people would be dancing in the street over a place like Purgatory - if it was either Heaven or Hell immediately after death - most of us would be in trouble. Also remember, Purgatory will cease to exist at the end of time.

Anonymous said...

To those who do not recognise the scriptural basis for the doctrine of Purgatory, I would suggest that they read either Matthew; Ch. 5, 25-26, or Luke; Ch.12, 57-59.
Here we are told that, "If you are traveling to court with your accuser, be sure to settle with him on the way....." The road to court is our journey through life; the "court is our particular judgment after death, and our "accuser" is our properly formed conscience. If we die in a state of grace, yet have not made reparation for our sins, we will be "brought before the judge, who will hand you over to the jailer, who will throw you into jail.I tell you most solemnly, you will not get out until you have paid the price in full"

angelssing said...

Dear Anonymous perhaps you have been hoodwinked by satan who showed you exactly what he wanted you to see..and here you are doing his work and spreading false information to God's children.

Of course there is a heaven and a hell and because God is all merciful He gave us Purgatory too so that we can be purged of the sins that still cling to us when we die.

God Bless You

Jan

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

To Anonymous: If you don't beleive hell exists, well, then you didn't have an actual NDE or perhaps you weren't going to hell. I assure you that hell exists. Jesus himself said so numerous times while on earth. He is incapable of lying and never sinned. So I have more confidence in His statement (the Son of the Almighty God) than your statement, a mere human creature. I think God knows a little bit more than you.

Anonymous said...

The Bible doesn't mention the Trinity either, but like purgatory, traditional Christians have believed it for almost 2 millennia.

Anonymous said...

Dear Anonymous who had a NDE,
How can you discount someone else's experience just because you had a different one? He is obviously as convicted as you are in what he experienced and he could easily say your experience isn't true. I don't doubt either one of these experiences but of course simple logic tells us they can't both be right - though they can both be wrong. Or maybe angelssing is right. Or maybe those experiences are just our brains sending out sensory data and images as it dies, as some believe. Or maybe there's some other explanation. Either way, you can't say absolutely there isn't a hell because you didn't experience it - you believe there isn't based on what you saw, the other guy believes there is based on what he saw. Sounds like you both have faith in something....

Anonymous said...

While practically, believers in Christ do continue to sin in their life; positionally, we have been crucified, died, and resurrected with Christ into the heavenly places. This happened the moment we believed in the Gospel. Positionally, we are perfect and imputed with Christ's righteousness. (Hebrews 10:11-14). We don't see this, but we take it by FAITH. To believe so greatly in purgatory is to throw out the basic biblical understanding of one's perfect position and sufficiency in Christ.

There have been many books written by various individuals.... while they are a fun read, each recolection of their "death" brought them to an afterlife that supported their OWN notion of truth.

I prefer to live by faith--moment by moment--during the day. That is where the rest comes. (Hebrews 4). Jesus has never let me down and never will.

ITRUSTINHIM said...

Anonymous, I feeel very sorry for you. You're pride won't allow you to experience the truth. It's too busy loving you.You are in great need of prayer. I'll bet the only time you would pray is if you were ever told you have a terrible disease or you were dying. Well don't look now but you already are.....and you have no God to believe in. I pity you that you don't even realize....what if you are wrong about Heaven, Hell Purgatory, satan or most importantly God and His angels and Saints along with Our Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph.

Mary said...

Adullamite: "Maccabees 2:46
It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins."

Anonymous said...

Those who post skeptical comments: Why are you reading an obviously Catholic blog? Are you just trying to antagonize Christians? If you don't want to believe the Truth, then fine. Go your own way. Why do you insist on harassing believers?

Anonymous said...

Funny how he kept himself anonymous. Spilled his deceit (in a quite convincing way I might add) then left (letting us know he would not return) Ha, maybe not to add more deceitful comments, but I gaurantee he has returned. Probably with 7 more just like him.
He said there are several who have had NDE's and left Christianity. This is a first for me, I've never heard it that way, it has always been the other way around, atheists turning to Christ. And in a huge way.
Satan's deceptions are increasing, and will begin to get more and more convinsing... Stand your ground soldiers... Jesus will win the day!

Anonymous said...

Feb. 17, 1985 I too had a near death experience in the ER of Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Havig been pronounced dead, my husband (a critical care physician himself) was given my wedding rings and called our hometown to inform my parents of my passing. I had died of internal bleeding due to the rupture of a cyst on my ovary that had grown slightly smaller than an orange. When the blood-filled cyst broke I lost sensation in my limbs, then sight, and finally the power of speech, yet I retained the ability to hear and reason. I did not however loose the extreme gut pain as my lower abdomin began to fill with blood with every heartbeat. Unable to speak, I called out to God from my consciousness and screamed "Take me Lord". I was completely unfamiliar with NDE's
and I watched with amazement as my soul was instantly freed from the painful confines of my corporal body and gently ascended upward. After the initial ascent there was a pause and I was given a moment to acknowledge that my best friend in all the word was no longer my husband. It was this realization that lead me to know I had truly died. Then the tunnel, the remarkable passage into a realm of golden light, and palpable love and a life review. The life review lasted a moment and an eternity, it was a time of mercy and learning, remorse and joy. Then, when it was finished a brilliant white light appeared before my eyes. Without words, what I understood to be the glory of the Lord spoke to my heart and asked me what I wanted to do, stay there with him, or return to my husband I had left crying in the
ER. I told the light from my heart to his, that I was expecting our first baby and wanted to return to my husband and raise our child. I was informed with enormous compassion that my infant daughter,
2.5 months into gestation, was now 33 years old and safely residing in heaven. I was 26 yrd old at the time. I learned everyone was 33 years old in heaven. The light
prepared me to return to earth warning me my life would be very difficult indeed, telling me I would need two things for guidance and solace, "Abandonment to Divine Providence" and "Imitation of Christ", and instantly I was back in my body on life support and hung practically upside down to get what little blood I did have to pool in my brain, heart and lungs (all of my veins had collapsed and blood was only circulating in those 3 vital organs). It was only until 3-4 weeks into my recovery that I was able to find out that "Abandonment to Divine Providence" and "Imitation of Christ" were two books written just after the middle ages and are considered by many Theologians to be 2nd and 3rd to the Bible. Before the near death experience I was for the most part, a non-practicing liberal Catholic, raised by good Catholic parents. After the NDE, I am a devout practicing Catholic, a very different person. I don't just have faith God exists, I know he does and my experience has brought new meaning to the word "The beginnning of Wisdom is fear of the Lord". May God Bless you.
-Been there.

Bex said...

I'd say the anonymous claiming an NDE and that hell and Heaven does not exist, is either lying or deluded. Jesus does not lie, and the amount of miracles/healing done in His name and the conversions are a testament to Him and those witnesses (the apostles).

Sadly, yes there are those who will lie and lead others astray, just as Satan does. They are perhaps deluded or wish for others to grow lax in faith and lose their salvation. A bit of a game?

There are plenty out there who want others to believe there is no eternal consequence for unrepentent sin, because they too do not believe it. They also mock the reason for the crucifixion and Christ's many many warnings about Hell and it's eternal sufferings - unmistakable throughout the bible.

There are PLENTY PLENTY of NDE's regarding both Heaven, Hell and purgatory and many by people who didn't have a belief in any of this who were VERY surprised to see such places. Some of which were so shattered by their Hell experience, they made an entire life change, as did those who saw Heaven. I mean REAL NDE's, the ones where they were about to recount what was happening whilst they were "dead".

So sadly, what we have here is a person who is outside of the word of God and is to my mind, in grave danger of spreading heresy to others. Denying Hell, is denying Christ. Because it was He that warned us and He that died for us so we might be saved from that place. So whatever this person experienced? (if indeed they are being honest), does not come close to what the majority have experienced and one such example is an atheist doctor who witnessed an NDE happening to a dying, almost dead patient whilst trying to ressussitate him and the experience so affected him, the doctor converted. The man's hair apparently was standing on end and his eyes were bulging in their sockets.

This is not the only case like it. But some would wish people to believe otherwise.

Unknown said...

Dear Adullmite, the Bible also does not mention the word "Bible".

Marianne said...

When you read the Diary of St Faustina, you will find many instances where the souls in purgatory pleaded for prayers. I try to offer Holy Masses regularly for their souls and just recently found out the Gregorian Masses is another powerful way of praying for the souls release.
God bless all those who pray for the dead and for those who do not believe, let us pray for them.
Yours in Christ, Marianne Johnpillai, Sri Lanka

Anonymous said...

There is already a purgatory, a purifying experience even among people here on earth. People who undergo a lot of seemingly undeserved suffering prior to death. If we deny purgatory after death what a great advantage to those who die suddenly. But if then as I believe that there is purgatory after death, pity those poor
Christians who believe otherwise and who may have to stay there for a long, long time because of faulty teaching. Expect many Christians who do not believe in Purgatory will be the last to enter heaven. I pray for all the dead...and for the living.

Sal Pico, Philippines

Anonymous said...

Let no one ever convince you that heaven hell and purgatory dont exist. We who are believe in jesus are fortunate in this godless world. Anonymous needs all our prayers to help him/her. Anonymous is not the first and wont be the last to say such things. People can have false NDE,S . Sister Faustina said that there are people that are in hell that did not believe in its existence. We with faith can help Anonymous with with our prayers to accept jesus even if it in his/her last breath.

Anonymous said...

It would be interesting to see how many of anon's Christian friends who had near death experiences where REAL faithfull practising Christians or were Christians in name only. Many so called Christians accept homosexuality, abortion and lead immoral and indifferent lives and therefore are in darkness. I wonder which category anon's friends fall into. my guess is that anon is saying what he has said that just to get a reaction.

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to respond to this specifically:

While practically, believers in Christ do continue to sin in their life; positionally, we have been crucified, died, and resurrected with Christ into the heavenly places. This happened the moment we believed in the Gospel. Positionally, we are perfect and imputed with Christ's righteousness. (Hebrews 10:11-14). We don't see this, but we take it by FAITH. To believe so greatly in purgatory is to throw out the basic biblical understanding of one's perfect position and sufficiency in Christ.

There have been many books written by various individuals.... while they are a fun read, each recolection of their "death" brought them to an afterlife that supported their OWN notion of truth.

I prefer to live by faith--moment by moment--during the day. That is where the rest comes. (Hebrews 4). Jesus has never let me down and never will."

I would agree with your stance regarding the validity of NDE's; even in those situations involving an athiest becoming a Christian it's possible that the former athiest had still held some concept of an afterlife in the form of doubt of one's own position.

However, in regards to your position on purgatory, I'm not certain I'd agree. It makes sense with the assumption that we all completely understand the basic Biblical understanding you had referenced, but what if that understanding is confused, by ignorance or even simply doubt? Humans are far from perfect; most of us doubt our convictions at one point or another, regardless of their strength.

Is it possible Purgatory is a place seperated from God, in which we simply eliminate our doubt and strengthen that base understanding? It would make sense then that the prayers of the living would speed one's ascent to heaven, as observing the faith of others can serve to solidify one's own faith.

JohnC said...

TO ANONYMOUS WHO DENIES HELL,

YOUR IDEAS REEK OF NEW AGE PHILOSOPHY. I'LL MAKE YOU A BET. SINCE YOU WERE "ENLIGHTENED" BY YOUR NDE PERHAPS YOU ARE CLOSE ENOUGH TO GOD TO BE ABLE TO WORK MIRACLES. YOU START WORKING DOCUMENTED MIRACLES LIKE OUR SAINTS DO/DID(ALL OF THEM BELIEVE IN HELL AND PURGATORY)AND I'LL THEN CHANGE SIDES. DEAL? OTHERWISE YOUR CLAIMS ARE LIKE EMPTY CLANGING GONGS. YOU HAVE NOTHING TO BACK THEM UP WITH. FINDING OTHERS THAT AGREE WITH YOU IS INCONSEQUENTIAL. YOU HAVE BEEN DUPED INTO BELIEVING IN AN AFTER LIFE THAT DOESN'T DEMAND MUCH SACRIFICE AND THEREFORE NOT MUCH LOVE. I WILL PRAY THE SAINT MICHAEL PRAYER FOR YOU. IF MY WORDS SEEMS HARSH TO YOU, IT'S WHAT YOU NEED IN ORDER TO WAKE UP.

Anonymous said...

It's amazing just how much one can learn from all these comments. and wonderful indeed that many believe in there's purgatory, heaven & hell. See you all in heaven and remember to pray for all the deceased.

Anonymous said...

I also have had NDE experiences. Yes, more than one. I've had at least 5 of them over the past 30+ years due to a chronic health condition that stops my ability to breath and I black out.

The brilliant white light and tunnel fills me with an overwhelming sense of peace. My entire life passes before me. As I travel through the tunnel, I see the faces of dead relatives and people I knew. Just when I exit the tunnel into what I believe is Heaven, I gasp for breathe and am brought back to life on earth. Even though my entire life passes before me, I'm only unconcious for less than 15 seconds. It's a very scary, but amazing experience. Time is so different in Heaven.

I have no doubt Heaven exists. Even for a mortal sinner who has tried to repent. I pray someday I will figure out what God is calling me to do.

Anonymous said...

Of course the Bible makes reference to a place of cleansing. It is such a tremendously incredible and grace-filled thing to be a Catholic that I often wonder why everybody is not Catholic. Adullamite, go back and re-read the Bible although by the sound of your name, you are probably not Catholic. I hope for your sake that you are. Blessings. . .

Anonymous said...

"The bible does not mention purgatory".

Your statement reveals that you do not understand the sources of Divine Revelation.

The Bible is not the complete source or fullness of Divine Revelation.

The greatest source of Divine Revelation is Jesus Christ, Himself.
- Everything that Jesus said, and everything that Jesus did, revealed fully the mystery of God.
- Jesus is the perfect source of Divine Revelation because He is the Son of God, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity—formerly an uncreated Divine spiritual being, but now a Divine human being, who always was and always will be.
- Do you remember when Philip, one of the Apostles, asked Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied.”

- Jesus answered, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (See John 14:8-9.)

- Every single word that Jesus uttered and every twitch of His little pinkie was God revealing God.
- There is no greater source of Divine Revelation than Christ Himself.

Now that Jesus has ascended into Heaven, what are the sources of Divine Revelation?
- Revelation is found in the Sacred Tradition and in the Sacred Scriptures (The Bible), as interpreted by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.

Sacred Tradition:

- The word tradition comes from the Latin “tradere”, which means to hand on.
- In other words, Sacred Tradition (Tradition with a capital “T’) is the unwritten (oral) word of God given by Christ to the Apostles, who, in turn, handed it down to their successors by their preaching, their example and by the institutions they established.
- Jesus did not reveal Himself to the people of His lifetime by written word.
- Christ revealed the mystery of God by oral teaching and by His actions.
- Tradition with a capital “T” means only those doctrines of faith or morals which were taught by Christ and originally handed down from the Apostles by word of mouth.
- Christ taught by word of mouth.
- Are we (or were the early Christians) to exclude what Jesus revealed during His life until such time (possibly 30 years later) when the first gospel was written?
- Of course not!
- The revelation of God was never more alive than it was during the life of Jesus and His Apostles, even though not a single word of the New Testament had been written.
- God’s revelation was not resurrected by the creation of Sacred Scripture; it had never died!
- The Apostles, following the example of Christ, for the most part also taught orally.
- When the last surviving Apostle died (Saint John, ca.100) God’s public revelation of Himself to the world came to an end.
- All that God wanted man to know for his salvation had been made known by Jesus and His twelve (12) Apostles.

- As Vatican II stated, “There is to be no further public revelation until Christ comes again” (Dei Verbum, 4).

- So upon the death of Saint John, the last Apostle, the Catholic Church possessed the sum total of truths taught by Christ and His Apostles, the whole of it by word of mouth and a portion of it in writing.
- The part written down, (now known as the New Testament) though of priceless value, was small compared to the whole mass of teaching.

- Saint John states expressly, “There are, however, many other things that Jesus did; but if every one of these should be written, not even the world itself, I think, could hold the books that would have to be written” (John 21:25).

- This portion of truths “handed down by word of mouth” and not found in the Bible, is called Sacred Tradition, Oral Tradition, or simply Tradition (with a capital “T”).

- Examples of Sacred Traditions are The Blessed Trinity, the Immaculate Conception, Perpetual Virginity and Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Celebration of Sunday as the Lord’s Day.
- Sacred Tradition is revealed in the creeds, liturgy and prayers of the Church and in the authentic teachings of the Pope and the Bishops in union with the Pope.

The Bible:

- At this point you may be wondering about Sacred Scripture, The Holy Bible, and how it fits into God’s plan as a source of Divine Revelation.



- “Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit.” (See Dei Verbum, no. 9 and CCC, no. 81.)

- Since Sacred Tradition is the word of God “in its entirety”, the Sacred Scripture (The Bible), which is also the word of God, is the fruit of Tradition.
- In other words, the New Testament is the first written statement of the Sacred Tradition.
- Sacred Scripture is the word of God written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and contained in the Holy Bible.
- It is the basic source of teaching in the Catholic Church.

Thus, the fullness of God's Divine Revelation -- now that Christ is in Heaven -- is the Sacred tradition of the Catholic Church. The Bible is merely a subset of the Sacred or Oral Tradition, albeit, its greatest fruit.

God be with you.

Anonymous said...

Note:

I have met Father. Father's name is not Father "Tom", but Father "Jose", pronounced Joes.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

I also had a NDE, and so did an aunt of mine (hers was much longer than mine - she died during open heart surgery and it took some time to revive her.)

I saw Christ and suddenly experienced His great love and mercy but returned when my heart started beating again.

She saw Christ, the Blessed Mother and angels, understood she was to return for a purpose she didn't then understand.

Neither of us had a sense that there was 'no heaven or no hell'.

All that we experienced confirmed what we have been taught in our Catholic faith.

I have met other Christians who have had NDEs, and remain Christians, or who were atheists and became Christians afterward because of their experiences with Christ.

Anonymous said...

From Romeo:
Padre Pio once said to a person that did not believe in Hell:" You will beleive it when you get there" Padre Pio is a saint.

Anonymous said...

Heaven and Hell are mentioned several times in the Scriptures both Old and New Testaments. Purgatory is referenced too both in the Old and New Testaments. Why did Jesus die on the Cross if not to save us from eternal damnation, Hell. He clearly teaches us what we have to do to be saved. Saved from what you might ask? Satan can appear as an angel of light (read St. Paul's letters in the New Testament). People who have had an NDE can be deceived into thinking that we are all going to the same place after we die. Now, that's deception and Scripture tells us that Satan is the father of lies. Don't be led astray. Read the Bible. Also, I would recommend a wonderful book "Salvation is from the Jews" by Roy Schoeman. Google Schoeman to get more info. Blessings,
KD

Anonymous said...

Oh, but purgatory does exist. Listen to Mary´s words in Fatima and Medjugorje. There She has shown the purgatory to one of the seers. And let´s thank God for this last chance to become perfect before meeting Him in heaven. After so many centurys and testimonies, it´s a shame unbelievers still exist. F.Kowalska says she was taken to hell by Jesus, and that it was full of people who proclaimed hell did not exist.

Anonymous said...

"Oh, but purgatory does exist. Listen to Mary´s words in Fatima and Medjugorje".

I love the Blessed Virgin Mary and have been to Medjugorje, but our faith must never be based on private revelation, but on the authentic teachings of the Magisterium (Teaching Office) of the Catholic Church.

Purgatory exists because the holy, Catholic Church says it does and the Catholic Church was founded by Christ Himself. The Magisterium (Pope and bishops in union with the Pope) safeguard our precious Deposit of Faith, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; the Church will not err on issues of faith and morals.

Having said that, I am grateful to God for sending His Blessed Mother to us in the numerous Church-approved Marian apparition sites.

Anonymous said...

Too bad that "anonymous" is spreading hatred after supposedly having a NDE. After having read so many books on the subject I would have to say that "anonymous" did not have a TRUE NDE but one that was probably a deceptive one by a demon so that "anonymous" could spread falsehoods and propogate hatred amoung believers of God. Case in point "anonymous says "good luck" and if this person had truly met God, then that person would KNOW that there is no such thing as "good luck" but only Gods' blessings. That was the first clue to avoid reading ANYTHING written by this so called "anonymous". So God bless you all- even anonymous because we are ALL Gods' children- whether or not you are a good child is up to the choices you make and Gods grace.

Anonymous said...

Dear anonymous,

If you had an actual NDE and didn't experience Hell, what about all of the NDEs that DID experience Hell? There are plenty of documented cases where people who had horrific accidents and were pronounce dead came back reporting hellish experiences. In any case, your experience may have been a lucid dream, and many people have those too, which are not actual glimpses into the world of the spirit.

You must watch the following two videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGpxfoF3SYg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB6_QMHf0Uk

Anonymous said...

Interesting posts. My daughter had a NDE at the ripe old age of 1 day (she's now almost 4). Some of the posts seem to indictate the the NDE's were experienced through a filter of the persons' deeply held beliefs.

My daughter has recounted on several occasions, since about the age of 2 that she has "flown". She insists that it occurred on only one occasion. She recently brought up this incident about her "flying" and since she is an intelligent child, we wrote it off as a case of an overactive imagination. My daughter was born by emergency C-section in respiratory and cardiac arrest due to a pregnancy complication . When I first saw her in the hospital, she was being assisted to breathe by nursing staff members and I baptized her there and then. She made a full recovery and is an amazing kid. We have never discussed the circumstances of her birth in her presence. Even though only hours old, she described her NDE as having flown. When questioned about her "flying" she described it more as floating. When we questioned her as to the circumstances, she said it occurred when "I died". When asked what she was wearing, she says "I was wrapped in a blanket and naked". Again, she has never heard the detail of her entry into this world. She described God as a loving old grandfatherly type who told her he was there so she wouldn't be alone. He also told her that she would have to return because her "work" wasn't finished and that she was, in her words, "a new Gianna" (perhaps a reference to her baptism?). Out of the mouths of babes...literally.

Anonymous said...

Hi,
I had a NDE in a Catholic Church. I was depressed and literally had given up. I said to God that I give up and asked him to be real.

I remember exhaling and my spirit left my body. I went to heaven and saw the light and faces that shone like the sun. God is all light and pure love there is no darkness in him. He is a magnet of love.

God let me see and feel that light and I was given hope. Believe me you don't want to miss it. Make sure you get there!

Thank you Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Jerry

Anonymous said...

o posted her experience right after my last post. WOW, you gave me goose bumps. First, I know all to well the experience of going from a luke warm Catholic, to devout. No death experience, it was more Like St Paul's 2x4 over the head. The other things you said, came to me by way of divine revelation.. The 33 year old's in Heaven... I knew it, I have felt this, it was embedded in my mind a few years ago... Do you realize that it has been exactly 33 years since your experience? The #33 represents much, the truth for one, Jesus is the truth. Now the other thing was the date: 2/17.. Long ago God led me to Acts 2:17.. I advize you all to read it...
Thanks for your beatiful detailed post... Most sincerely, William PS: I was 27 in 85...wait, but not on 2/17.. I was still 26, turned 27 in April :)

Anonymous said...

ooops, first, the beginning of my last post was cut off...I meant to direct it to the female who posted right after my last. and 2nd, I made a big goof, it's only been 23 years since 1985... Was thinking to fast... Sorry.. Still doesn't change the TRUTH!

Christ The King! Always and forever

Anonymous said...

regardless of anything, If every single person acted the way Christ did with love patience understanding,we would live in a pretty decent place, however the devil is powerful and shoots darts at every single soul except for the ones he knows will fit in his haneous army, his main goal is to destroy faith and conscience, without prayer he will succeed, God allows satan to test us on every level, it is up to us to choose the path , and deep down we really know what our choices should be. Randy

charlie said...

The priest is Father Jose not Father Tom. Tom is his brother. Father Jose resides in Florida. You can read his personal account at this link:
http://www.stmarymacclenny.com/fatherJstory.htm

God bless,
Garry

Anonymous said...

Many saints have been given the visions of Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. By tradition the Apostle and Paul believed in it because they we taught it in the the synagoges, by the temple elders and scholars and was reenforce by Christ teachings.
You can even go into the Jewish Encyclopedia and they give a definition of Purgatory because even today as in ancient times they believe in Heaven, Hell and puratory. Even today during the Yon Kippor They give prayers for the Righteous dead.
The prayers we give for those in Purgatory, go with to Heaven and become prayers for us on Earth for our own salvation. No prayer is ever wasted in Heaven.
Like St. Bernadette's message; for those those who believe no explanation is nessary, and for those who don't believe no explanation is possible.
My prayers are with all who doubt, that one day they will believe in Christ and find peace and love in him and in his saints that pray for all of us, since they are our brothers and sisters in heaven.

Anonymous said...

Albert, perhaps your daughter was referring to St Gianna Molla an Italian woman/doctor canonized by Pope John Paul II on May 16, 2004. She was a wife and mother of four children who gave her life to save her child in her womb. Her husband and children were present at her canonization. Her story and example might benefit "Anonymous".

http://www.saintgianna.org/
Blessings!

Anonymous said...

"Dont you ever wonder if you'll be sent to hell after entering purgatory?"

That's the wrong question. The question is not, "Don't you ever wonder", but "What is the authoritative teaching of the Catholic Church.

The teaching of the Church as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church is as follows:

CCC.1030 .All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

CCC.1031 .The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:

As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.

CCC.1032 .This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."

From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:

Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.

Thus, it has been the constant teaching of the Church that all souls in Purgatory eventually go to Heaven -- since they died in God's grace and friendship.

Anonymous said...

To the fellow that says there is no hell and that it is a tired old mythology, you are dead wrong. I have personally experienced the presence of Satan harassing me when I was breaking away from 40 years of living in mortal sin. He is real, hell is a reality. Read how many times Jesus mentions Gehenna. How many demons He delivers people from.
I do not doubt your NDE, but it doesn't square with God's revealed word.

Chris

Anonymous said...

I believe in Heaven, Hell and Purgatory and i believe Purgatory is the best example of the Mercy of God. I have read many books about NDE and i feel they are a way of God easing our fears of death. I believe true Death does not exist until you have your Particular Judgment and i have never heard of anyone having their Particular Judgment and then returning to life.

Vistonary2008 said...

I struggle with what is being said because it doesn't nor has it ever lined up with scipture if purgatory really was for purification purposes the why did JESUS EVEN DIE OR SHED HIS PRECOUS BLOOD FOR US please read all of Hebrews 10 begining a verse 1 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
Hebrews 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
Hebrews 10:3 But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year.
Hebrews 10:4 For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
Hebrews 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
Hebrews 10:6 In burnt offerings and [sacrifices] for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
Hebrews 10:8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein]; which are offered by the law;
Hebrews 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].
Hebrews 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Hebrews 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Hebrews 10:15 [Whereof] the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
Hebrews 10:16 This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Hebrews 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Hebrews 10:18 Now where remission of these [is, there is] no more offering for sin.
Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by {the blood of Jesus},
Hebrews 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Hebrews 10:21 And [having] an high priest over the house of God;
Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;)
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Hebrews 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Hebrews 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Hebrews 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance [belongeth] unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Hebrews 10:31 [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
Hebrews 10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
Hebrews 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
Hebrews 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Hebrews 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
and also 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.

Anonymous said...

That is precisely why sola scriptura is dangerous. Purgatory is a reality and there have been many testimonies about this reality. I thank God that there is such a place.