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Society for Lincolnshire History & Archaeology
Pergatory : Heaven's waiting room or the antechamber of Hell
According to Medieval Church doctrine, Pergatory was believed by Christians to be an intermediate state between Heaven and Hell, where souls were painfully cleansed of unconfessed sins and uncompleted penance prior to the Day of Judgement. To reduce this suffering, the performance of masses, along with acts of penance, pilgrimage, almsgiving and other 'good works' performed by the living, were thought to minimise the torments in the afterlife. In addition, relief in the form of indulgencies became standard practice, especially in the later Medieval period, culminating in their abolition in England as part of the Reformation process. These features will be discussed, along with the highlighting the Scala Cell (ladder to Heaven) indulgence centred on Boston.
According to Medieval Church doctrine, Pergatory was believed by Christians to be an intermediate state between Heaven and Hell, where souls were painfully cleansed of unconfessed sins and uncompleted penance prior to the Day of Judgement. To reduce this suffering, the performance of masses, along with acts of penance, pilgrimage, almsgiving and other 'good works' performed by the living, were thought to minimise the torments in the afterlife. In addition, relief in the form of indulgencies became standard practice, especially in the later Medieval period, culminating in their abolition in England as part of the Reformation process. These features will be discussed, along with the highlighting the Scala Cell (ladder to Heaven) indulgence centred on Boston.
Wednesday 17 Apr 24
St Hugh’s Hall, Monks Road, Lincoln LN2 5AQ, Lincolnshire LN2 1LS
Admission £4.00SLHA Members £3.00
Pay on the door
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