Are there any saints who went straight to Heaven and avoided purgatory?

Ben Sinner · #1 Jun 23, '10, 4:45 pm

Are there any accounts via private revelation, church teaching, etc. that any saints went straight to heaven when they died and avoided purgatory? (besides Mary, Eli, Enoch, J.T.B)

I think St. Therese might have. She taught that one can avoid purgatory if we truly believe it. She even had an "I told you so" moment when a nun didn't believe her. The nun died and came to visit the saint from purgatory and realizing that the saint was right. Since she was a mystic/doctor of the church who never committed a mortal sin. Maybe she was on to something.

Anything out there?

Monica4316 · #2 Jun 23, '10, 5:47 pm

It seems that all the of the Saints avoided Purgatory

coolduude · #3 Jun 23, '10, 7:01 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monica4316

It seems that all the of the Saints avoided Purgatory

Not neccesarily. We know all saints are in heaven, but that doesn't mean they all avoided Purgatory

bilop · #4 Jun 23, '10, 7:04 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Sinner

Are there any accounts via private revelation, church teaching, etc. that any saints went straight to heaven when they died and avoided purgatory? (besides Mary, Eli, Enoch, J.T.B)

I think St. Therese might have. She taught that one can avoid purgatory if we truly believe it. She even had an "I told you so" moment when a nun didn't believe her. The nun died and came to visit the saint from purgatory and realizing that the saint was right. Since she was a mystic/doctor of the church who never committed a mortal sin. Maybe she was on to something.

Anything out there?

The Blessed Mother certainly. The Holy Innocents, probably, since they had no actual sin.

I think martyrs avoid purgatory, but I'm not sure of that. Most Saints probably have some penance they need to perform in purgatory.

God Bless

**GEddie** · #5 Jun 23, '10, 8:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolduude

Not neccesarily. We know all saints are in heaven, but that doesn't mean they all avoided Purgatory

We will only know for sure when someone from Purgatory, Colorado, is canonized

ICXC NIKA

mdgspencer · #6 Jun 23, '10, 10:52 pm

As I recall, a number of saints saw people go to heaven immediatelly when they died. I won't try to find such accounts since quite rightly personal visions cannot be discussed here according to forum rules..
The good thief, who died beside Christ on the cross, went right to heaven. Christ said to him that he would join him in heaven that very day. I have heard too the martyrs do not have to suffer in purgatory.
I expect almost everyone will go to purgatory, having sins still on our souls when we die, if only smaller ones. However, if even the good thief passed purgatory by, I would think there are many others too that we do not know about.

coolduude · #7 Jun 23, '10, 11:07 pm

If I recall correctly, the good thief did not neccesarily go to heaven as soon as he died. He very well may have spent time in Purgatory, but reached heaven later that day. After all, Jesus did say 'this day you will be with me in Paradise'. This allows for a small time in Purgatory and heaven in the same day

catherine126 · #8 Jun 24, '10, 1:29 am

If we believe that even the saints had to go to Purgatory, even if only for a short time, how do we maintain the virtue of hope? Simply by remembering that Heaven is the final destination?

Personally, I find the idea of saints going to Purgatory a little depressing...but perhaps only because my faith is too small..