One certainty in life is that no one knows the exact hour, day, month or year when one will die. So it's very important to be in a state of grace at death. Therefore - at the end of each day it's important to examine one's conscience and make a sincere act of contrition for any sins committed that day, and for past sins
The Catholic Church teaches that when one dies, one's soul is judged immediately - and that soul either goes to Hell, Purgatory or Heaven. If you die with unforgiven mortal sins - the destination is Hell - for eternity. If one dies with venial - less serious sins - one goes to Purgatory - to be purged of those sins - in order to enter Heaven. A soul could spend a short or long time in Purgatory. A few souls go straight to Heaven for eternity.
Think about it - life on earth is but a pin prick of what's to come.
No one knows when one will die - you could be in a car crash - be shot by a madman in the woods - get a sudden incurable illness. We simply don't know. So be prepared for death - at all times.
If you need to get to confession, try to find a validly ordained Catholic priest ( that is - a priest ordained in the pre Vatican 2 rite). If there are no valid priests in your area - make a perfect act of contrition. This is enough to get forgiven, but if a valid priest becomes available, then go to confession.
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