Understanding Purgatory: An Historical and Contemporary Analysis, a 5-week Lenten study program, will be begin at St. Mary Church in Lake Leelanau on Monday.

Presented by Edward J. Hahnenberg, author of several books on church and Bible history, the program will continue through March 10.

Participants will examine early church tradition (Biblical and theological) on purgatory, Dante’s Divine Comedy, Martin Luther’s challenge regarding indulgences, the Protestant rejection of purgatory, conciliar teachings, private revelation, and current church teaching on purgatory and indulgences.

Members of all faiths are invited. Sessions will be held on Mondays, beginning at 7:30 p.m. There is a $10 fee.

For further information or to register, call Ann Schmidt at St. Mary’s Rectory at 256-9676.