How few there are who depart this life with their sins completely effaced! The guilt of their mortal sins is all washed away in the Precious Blood of Jesus and the eternal punishment that they deserved is remitted. But there is still a debt of temporal punishment to be paid; and till this is paid, the soul cannot, and would not wish to, enter Heaven. Some will remain in Purgatory until the Day of Judgment; others for long years or centuries. How little the atonement that I have made for my sins! What reason I have to cry out to God, "Forgive me that debt I owe to Thee, forgive, O my God, forgive."

Besides the punishment due for mortal sins not fully atoned, how many venial sins are still a debt for most men that have to be wiped out. If through God's mercy I have no debt to pay for mortal sins, yet there has been a gradual accumulation of venial sins which will mean a long sojourn in the fires of expiation. The habit of venial sin has been strong in me, and has become almost a second nature. For these I must pray that God may forgive them before I die, and may remit the debt due for them.

If this petition is to be granted, it is not enough to cry out, "Forgive." I must do something, now, in this life, to atone for all the venial sins for which there still remains punishment due to the justice of God. I must give alms; and mortify my body; and pray much for others; and endure with patience and resignation the sufferings of this life. Above all, I must pray that I may have my Purgatory in this life, if I desire to escape it entirely in the next.