Objective: What is Purgatory? Why is there so much fear and controversy around this topic? And how does Purgatory shape our Catholic faith? In this course, students will learn these answers and more. The course includes a three-part series on apologetics, and answers many of the tough questions Catholics and non-Catholics have about Purgatory. 

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Course curriculum

  • 01

    What is Purgatory? - Part 1 - The Choice

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • What is Purgatory? - Part 1 - The Choice - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • What is Purgatory? - Part 1 - The Choice - VIDEO

    • What is Purgatory? - Part 1 - The Choice - QUIZ

    • Interactive Questions

    • Purgatory Images

    • What is Purgatory? - Part 1 - The Choice - Live Lesson Recording with Professor Marshall Connolly (10/21/21)
  • 02

    What is Purgatory? - Part 2 - The Mercy of Purgatory

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • What is Purgatory? - Part 2 - The Mercy of Purgatory - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • What is Purgatory? - Part 2 - The Mercy of Purgatory - VIDEO

    • What is Purgatory? - Part 2 - The Mercy of Purgatory Live Lesson Recording with Professor Marshall Connolly (2/23/21)

    • What is Purgatory? - Part 2 - The Mercy of Purgatory - QUIZ

    • Interactive Questions

    • Purgatory Images
  • 03

    Apologetics - Part 1 - Does Purgatory Exist?

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Apologetics - Part 1 - Does Purgatory Exist? - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Apologetics - Part 1 - Does Purgatory Exist? - VIDEO

    • Apologetics - Part 1 - Does Purgatory Exist? Live Lesson Recording with Professor Marshall Connolly (2/24/21)

    • Apologetics - Part 1 - Does Purgatory Exist? - QUIZ

    • Interactive Questions

    • Tips for Debating
  • 04

    Apologetics - Part 2 - What is an Indulgence?

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Apologetics - Part 2 - What is an Indulgence? - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Apologetics - Part 2 - What is an Indulgence? - VIDEO

    • Apologetics - Part 2 - What is an Indulgence? - Live Lesson Recording with Professor Marshall Connolly (2/25/21)

    • Apologetics - Part 2 - What is an Indulgence? - QUIZ

    • Interactive Questions

    • Keys of the Kingdom Images
  • 05

    Apologetics - Part 3 - A Divided Church

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Apologetics - Part 3 - A Divided Church - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Apologetics - Part 3 - A Divided Church - VIDEO

    • Apologetics - Part 3 - A Divided Church Live Lesson Recording with Professor Marshall Connolly (3/1/21)

    • Apologetics - Part 3 - A Divided Church - QUIZ

    • Interactive Questions

    • Protestant Reformation Images
  • 06

    Purgatory in Catholic Practice - Part 1 - All Hallows' Eve

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Purgatory in Catholic Practice - Part 1 - All Hallows' Eve - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Purgatory in Catholic Practice - Part 1 - All Hallows' Eve - VIDEO

    • Purgatory in Catholic Practice - Part 1 - All Hallows' Eve Live Lesson Recording with Marshall Connolly (3/2/21)

    • Purgatory in Catholic Practice - Part 1 - All Hallows' Eve - QUIZ

    • Interactive Questions

    • Halloween Images
  • 07

    Purgatory in Catholic Practice - Part 2 - All Saints', All Souls', The Day of the Dead

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Purgatory in Catholic Practice - Part 2 - All Saints', All Souls', The Day of the Dead - LESSON PLAN / STUDY GUIDE

    • Purgatory in Catholic Practice - Part 2 - All Saints', All Souls', The Day of the Dead - VIDEO

    • Purgatory in Catholic Practice - Part 2 - All Saints', All Souls', Day of the Dead - Live Lesson with Professor Marshall Connolly (3/3/21)

    • Purgatory in Catholic Practice - Part 2 - All Saints', All Souls', The Day of the Dead - QUIZ

    • Interactive Questions

    • Day of the Dead Images

What others have been saying about this course:

Laura Flores

5 star rating

“I found the entire course on Purgatory very informative. It clarified for me many points: mortal sin, venial sin, purgatory, indulgences, All Souls, All Saints Day and even Halloween. ”

“I found the entire course on Purgatory very informative. It clarified for me many points: mortal sin, venial sin, purgatory, indulgences, All Souls, All Saints Day and even Halloween. ”

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Lourdes DeSerpa

5 star rating

“Enjoyed very much. Since I am bilingual, Portuguese being my primary language which I converse daily with my husband, I had one question wrong because of the way it was phrased I interpreted the wrong way.”

“Enjoyed very much. Since I am bilingual, Portuguese being my primary language which I converse daily with my husband, I had one question wrong because of the way it was phrased I interpreted the wrong way.”

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Esperanza Topete

5 star rating

“I am enjoying this course so much, what a beautiful way to learn more about our faith. I will continue to use and donate as well.”

“I am enjoying this course so much, what a beautiful way to learn more about our faith. I will continue to use and donate as well.”

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Franklin G Njeru

5 star rating

“The whole learning materials are well organized and can easily be followed. A good course for all.who want to increase their faith. ”

“The whole learning materials are well organized and can easily be followed. A good course for all.who want to increase their faith. ”

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Crystal Lynne dawn Day chief

5 star rating

“Still confused with the different types of sins and still have questions which I will continue to pray about. This course has helped.”

“Still confused with the different types of sins and still have questions which I will continue to pray about. This course has helped.”

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Nayeli kindelan

5 star rating

“This was completely amazing I love this website and the information they give this website is a blessing from god much love to you guys may God Bless YOU!!”

“This was completely amazing I love this website and the information they give this website is a blessing from god much love to you guys may God Bless YOU!!”

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Nora Ah Yen

5 star rating

“Reinstated my original understanding but now in depth. I was sadly led astray my some media link claiming Purgatory wasn't a place as not in the Bible but rather a process. Thanks for this clarification Glad to have made sense of it now. As to ...”

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“Reinstated my original understanding but now in depth. I was sadly led astray my some media link claiming Purgatory wasn't a place as not in the Bible but rather a process. Thanks for this clarification Glad to have made sense of it now. As to why we pray for the dead and visit graves of loved ones.”

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Alfredo Gilberto Ferreira Lopes

5 star rating

“I learned a great deal about this topic. It is not discussed very much by priests in my country. Everything you wanted to know about Purgatory- but were afraid to ask”

“I learned a great deal about this topic. It is not discussed very much by priests in my country. Everything you wanted to know about Purgatory- but were afraid to ask”

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Tammy Brown

5 star rating

“I've just finished this course and found it very helpful. It’s really clear to understand and insightful 🙏🏻 Thank you.”

“I've just finished this course and found it very helpful. It’s really clear to understand and insightful 🙏🏻 Thank you.”

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Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

Deacon Keith Fournier has been ordained as a Deacon for twenty six years. He and his wife have been married for 46 years. Together they raised five children and have seven grandchildren.

Deacon Fournier holds his Bachelors Degree (BA) in Theology and Philosophy from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He holds his Juris Doctor in Law (JD) from the University of Pittsburgh Law School. He holds His Masters Degree in Sacred Theology (MTS) from the John Paul II Institute of the Lateran University. He holds His Masters in Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Moral Theology from the Catholic University of America. He is currently working toward completion of a Doctorate in Moral Theology by completing his dissertation.

Deacon Fournier is serving the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, under Bishop Joseph Strickland. He serves at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and works with the Bishop. He is the General Legal Counsel for the Diocese of Tyler. He is also the Director of Deacon Formation for the Diocese of Tyler. Finally, He is the Dean of Catholic identity for the Bishop Gorman Catholic School in the Diocese of Tyler.

Deacon Keith Fournier is the Dean and Chaplain of Catholic Online School.

Deacon Keith Fournier

Dean and Chaplin

Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

Professor Marshall Connolly has spent his life in service to God and the Church as an educator and writer. He is a graduate of the California State University system and has earned bachelor's degrees in English and History, as well as a teaching credential. He has completed additional studies at Whitman College, and the University of San Diego. His interests include science and apologetics and he writes on both subjects for Catholic Online (catholic.org), the World's Catholic Library.

He serves as the first Director of Education for Catholic Online School.

Professor Marshall Connolly

Director of Education