Pope Benedict XVI: "Love Can Reach Into the Afterlife"

"The belief that love can reach into the afterlife, that reciprocal giving and receiving is possible, in which our affection for one another continues beyond the limits of death—this has been a fundamental conviction of Christianity throughout the ages and it remains a source of comfort today. Who would not feel the need to convey to their departed loved ones a sign of kindness, a gesture of gratitude or even a request for pardon? Now a further question arises: if “Purgatory” is simply purification through fire in the encounter with the Lord, Judge and Saviour, how can a third person intervene, even if he or she is particularly close to the other? When we ask such a question, we should recall that no man is an island, entire of itself. Our lives are involved with one another, through innumerable interactions they are linked together. No one lives alone. No one sins alone. No one is saved alone. The lives of others continually spill over into mine: in what I think, say, do and achieve. And conversely, my life spills over into that of others: for better and for worse. So my prayer for another is not something extraneous to that person, something external, not even after death. In the interconnectedness of Being, my gratitude to the other—my prayer for him—can play a small part in his purification. And for that there is no need to convert earthly time into God's time: in the communion of souls simple terrestrial time is superseded. It is never too late to touch the heart of another, nor is it ever in vain. In this way we further clarify an important element of the Christian concept of hope. Our hope is always essentially also hope for others; only thus is it truly hope for me too. As Christians we should never limit ourselves to asking: how can I save myself? We should also ask: what can I do in order that others may be saved and that for them too the star of hope may rise? Then I will have done my utmost for my own personal salvation as well."

~ Pope Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter Spe Salvi ~

Resurrection Reminders

“Of all the things of life, a happy death is our principal concern.

For if we attain that, it matters little if we lose all the rest.

But if we do not attain that, nothing else is of any value.”

~ Blessed Junipero Serra ~

A Mother's Immoderate Grief Deprives Her Deceased Child of Needed Relief

There is another duty of strict Justice which regards children; they are obliged to pray for their deceased parents. Reciprocally in their turn parents are bound by natural right not to forget before God those of their children who have preceded them into eternity. Alas ! there are parents who are inconsolable at the loss of a son or of a dearly beloved daughter, and who, instead of praying for them, bestow upon them nothing but a few fruitless tears. Let us hear what Thomas of Cantimpre relates on this subject; the incident happened in his own family.

The grandmother of Thomas had lost a son in whom she had centred her fondest hopes. Day and night she wept for him and refused all consolation. In the excess of her grief she forgot the great duty of Christian love, and did not think of praying for that soul so dear to her. The unfortunate object of this barren tenderness languished amid the flames of Purgatory, receiving no alleviation in his sufferings. Finally God took pity on him. One day, whilst plunged in the depths of her grief, this woman had a miraculous vision. She saw on a beautiful road a procession of young men, as graceful as angels, advancing full of joy towards a magnificent city. She understood that they were souls from Purgatory making their triumphal entry into Heaven. She looked eagerly to see if among their ranks she could not discover her son. Alas ! the child was not there ; but she perceived him approaching far behind the others, sad, suffering, and fatigued, his garments drenched with water. " Oh, dear object of my grief," she cried out to him, " how is it that you remain behind that brilliant band ? I should wish to see you at the head of your companions."

" Mother," replied the child in a plaintive tone, " it is you, it is these tears which you shed over me that moisten and soil my garments, and retard my entrance into the glory of Heaven. Cease to abandon yourself to a blind and useless grief. Open your heart to more Christian sentiments. If you truly love me, relieve me in my sufferings; apply some indulgences to me, say prayers, give alms, obtain for me the fruits of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is by this means that you will prove your love ; for by so doing you will deliver me from prison where I languish, and bring me forth to eternal life, which is far more desirable than the life terrestrial which you have given me."

Then the vision disappeared, and that mother, thus admonished and brought back to true Christian sentiments, instead of giving way to immoderate grief, applied to the practice of every good work which could give relief to the soul of her son.

The great causes of this forgetfulness, this indifference, guilty neglect, and injustice towards the dead, is lack of faith. For do we not see that true Christians, those animated by a spirit of faith, make the most noble sacrifices in behalf of their departed friends. Descending in spirit into those penal flames, there contemplating the rigours of Divine Justice, listening to the voice of the dead who implore their compassion, they think only how to give relief to those poor souls, and consider it their most sacred duty to procure for their parents and departed friends all the suffrages possible, according to their means and condition. Happy are those Christians; they show their faith by their works; they are merciful, and in their turn they shall obtain mercy.

~ Excerpt from Purgatory: Illustrated by the Lives and Legends of the Saints

by Fr. F.X. Shouppe, S.J. ~

Fr. William Doyle: Blessed Place of Purifying Fire

"From the cleansing fires of purgatory ascends the gentle pleading of the imprisoned souls, God's own dear captives, to us for help and mercy. The burning flames envelop them, but far more bitter, far more painful is the remembrance of their sinful deeds which have offended Him Whose love they now know so well. Gladly do they turn from His loving though offended gaze, and hasten to bury themselves and their shame deep in that blessed place of purifying fire. Well do they know now the foulness of sin, its black ingratitude towards their only true Friend, and gladly do they suffer now to atone for a life which was spent without love of Him.

"At last the hour of their release has come. God's justice is satisfied, their souls are purified in the fiery crucible. Swiftly to the place of suffering and banishment the faithful angel guardian speeds his way. How eagerly has he longed for this hour when he may bear his loving charge safely to its home of bliss to rest for ever in the bosom of Jesus! Long ago when yet that soul was an exile on this earth has he thought of this moment. Each fresh act of virtue, each victory over temptation, gave him joy; and when that soul fell, when Satan claimed it as his own, how earnestly that angel spirit pleaded for the erring soul and won it back to grace and God. "

~ Excerpt from A Year's Thoughts: Collected From the Writings of Father William Doyle, S.J. ~

A blog worth visiting: Remembering Fr William Doyle SJ

The Pains of Purgatory Are Suited to the Faults to be Expiated

The life of Venerable Mother Frances of the Blessed Sacrament, a Religious of Pampeluna, presents several facts which show that the pains of Purgatory are suited to the faults to be expiated. This venerable servant of God had the most intimate communication with the souls in Purgatory, so that they came in great numbers and filled her cell, humbly awaiting each one in turn to be assisted by her prayers. Frequently, the more easily to excite her compassion, they appeared with the instruments of their sins, now become the instruments of their torture. One day she saw a Religious surrounded by costly pieces of furniture, such as pictures, arm-chairs, &c., all in flames. She had collected these things in her cell contrary to her vow of religious poverty, and after her death they became her torment.

A notary appeared to her one day with all the insignia of his profession. Being heaped around him, the flames which issued therefrom caused him the most intense suffering. " I have used this pen, this ink, this paper," said he, " to draw up illegal deeds. I also had a passion for gambling, and these cards which I am forced to hold continually in my hands now constitute my punishment. This flaming purse contains my unlawful gains, and causes me to expiate them."

From all this we should draw great and salutary instruction. Creatures are given to man as a means to serve God ; they must be the instruments of virtue and good works. If he abuse them, and make them instruments of sin, it is just they should be turned against him, and become the instruments of his chastisement.

~ Excerpt from Purgatory: Illustrated by the Lives and Legends of the Saints

by Fr. F.X. Shouppe. S.J. ~

St. Francis de Sales: The Justice of Purgatory

"Souls who are in Purgatory are there because of their sins, sins that they now supremely detest. But as for abjection and pain at being detained in that place and at being temporarily deprived of enjoying the blessed love that is paradise, they suffer it lovingly and devoutly according to the canticle of divine justice, "Righteous and true are Your ways..." [Rv 15:3]

~ St. Francis de Sales ~

from Every Day with Saint Francis de Sales,
Edited by Francis J. Klauder, S.D.B.

Combat With the Angel of Darkness at the Moment of Death

I had no agony as you know, but I can tell you this, that at the last decisive moment, the devil lets loose all his rage against the one that is dying. God permits souls to go through these last trials in order to increase their merits. Souls that are strong and generous, in order that they may have a more glorious place in Heaven, have often had, at the end of their lives and in the moment of death, terrible combats with the angel of darkness. You have been witness to this. But they always come out victorious. God never allows a soul that has been devoted to Him during life to perish at the last moment. Those souls who have loved the Blessed Virgin and invoked her all their lives receive from her many graces in their last struggles. It is the same for those who have been really devout to St. Joseph, to St. Michael, or to any of the saints. I have already said one is glad to have an intercessor with God in those dreadful moments. Some souls die quite tranquilly without experiencing any of those trials. God has His designs in everything. He does or permits all for the good of each particular soul.

~ Sr. M. G., a deceased nun, from An Unpublished Manuscript on Purgatory ~

St. Faustina: The Power of Obedience

July 9, 1937. "This evening, one of the deceased sisters came and asked me for one day of fasting and to offer all my [spiritual] exercises on that day for her. I answered that I would. (1185)

"From early morning on the following day, I offered everything for her intention. During Holy Mass, I had a brief experience of her torment. I experienced such intense hunger for God that I seemed to be dying of the desire to become united with Him. This lasted only a short time, but I understood what the longing of the souls in purgatory was like. (1186)

"Immediately after Holy Mass, I asked Mother Superior's permission to fast, but I did not receive it because of my illness. When I entered the chapel, I heard these words: "If you had fasted, Sister, I would not have gotten relief until the evening, but for the sake of your obedience, which prevented you from fasting, I obtained this relief at once. Obedience has great power." After these words I heard: "May God reward you." (1187)

~ From Divine Mercy in My Soul, the Diary of Sr. M. Faustina ~

Visit Jesus In the Blessed Sacrament: Speaking to Jesus Heart to Heart

"Whenever you can pass by the church, make a little visit to Jesus and pour out the love of your heart to Him. Tell Him all your sorrows, your joys, your sufferings, in one word, everything. Speak to Him as to a loving Friend, a Father, a Spouse. Tell Him of all your tender love for Him, and when you cannot go to church, speak to Him in your heart. From time to time, during the day, fill your mind for a few minutes with the Divine Presence, recollect yourself before His Majesty, acknowledging your own misery but also His goodness and thank Him affectionately. All the day long you can speak to Jesus Heart to heart."

~ Sr. M.G., a Soul from Purgatory,

from An Unpublished Manuscript on Purgatory ~

Blessed Dina Belanger: Indulgences for Souls in Purgatory

Our Lord requested of Blessed Dina Belanger a particular intention for each day of the week: reparation, thanksgiving, for her Congregation, for religious vocations, for consecrated souls, for all souls, for sacerdotal souls. She found it strange that He said nothing about the souls in Purgatory so she asked Him:

"My Jesus, in Thy intentions for each day of the week, Thou dost not mention the souls in Purgatory?"

Jesus replied:

"The souls in Purgatory have their share in each of your days. By the offering of Indulgences which you make every morning My holy Mother applies to them, according to her choice, the merit of your prayers and works. You have no other merits than through My merits, but My merits are infinite, inexhaustible. The intentions of each day of your week take nothing away from the souls in Purgatory who are so dear to Me. My merits can be applied to them and to the special intentions of each of your days."

~ Quotes from the Autobiography of Dina Belanger ~

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and Souls in Purgatory

"While I was making the prayer you know I make on the night between Thursday and Friday, I was shown a holy soul from Purgatory for whom I had been favored with these sufferings.

"Our Mother gave me to the souls in Purgatory Holy Thursday night, allowing me to spend it before the Blessed Sacrament. Part of that time I was as though surrounded by these poor suffering souls with whom I have contracted a close friendship. Our Lord told me that He was giving me to them this year so that I might do for them all the good I could. They are often with me. I call them simply my suffering friends.

"There is one of them especially that causes me much suffering, although I cannot bring her as much relief as I would wish. I am not allowed to give her name but I do ask you to help her. She will not be ungrateful.

"You knew her at least by name but I do ask you to help her by performing for her nine acts each day from now to the feast of the Ascension, four of charity and five of humility. Offer the four acts of charity in honor of the ardent charity of theSacred Heart of Jesus and the five acts of humility in reparation for the humiliations He suffered in His Passion. How grateful I shall be to you if you get some other members of your community to help her in this same way.

~ St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, from The Letters of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque ~

~ Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Love and Reparation ~

Blessed Virgin Mary Saved Soul From Eternal Damnation

In the year 1629, at Dole, in Franche-Compte, Hugette Roy, a woman of the middle station in life, was confined to bed by inflammation of the lungs, which endangered her life. The physician considering it necessary to bleed her, in his awkwardness cut an artery in the left arm, which speedily reduced her to the last extremity.

The following day, at dawn, she saw enter into her chamber a young girl clad in white, of most modest deportment, who asked her if she was willing to accept her services and to be nursed by her. The sick person, delighted with the offer, answered that nothing could give her greater pleasure; and instantly the stranger lighted the fire, approached Hugette, and placed her gently on the bed, and then continued to watch by her and serve her like the most devoted infirmarian. But, oh wonder! contact with the hands of the unknown one was so beneficial that the dying person found herself greatly relieved, and soon felt entirely cured. Then she would absolutely know who the amiable stranger was, and called her that she might question her ; but she withdrew, saying that she would return in the evening. In the meantime astonishment and curiosity were extreme when the tidings of this sudden cure spread abroad, and nothing was spoken of in Dole but this mysterious event.

When the unknown visitor returned in the evening, she said to Hugette, without trying to disguise herself, " Know, my dear niece, that I am your aunt, Leonarde Collin, who died seventeen years ago, leaving you an inheritance from her little property. Thanks to the Divine bounty, I am saved, and it was the Blessed Virgin, to whom I had great devotion, who obtained for me this happiness. Without her I was lost. When death suddenly struck me, I was in the state of mortal sin, but the merciful Virgin Mary obtained for me perfect contrition, and thus saved me from eternal damnation. Since that time I am in Purgatory, and our Lord permits me to finish my expiation by serving you during fourteen days. At the end of that time I shall be delivered from my pains if, on your part, you have the charity to make three pilgrimages for me to three holy sanctuaries of the Blessed Virgin."

Hugette, astonished, knew not what to think of this language. Not being able to believe the reality of the apparition, and fearing some snare of the evil spirit, she consulted her confessor, Father Antony Roland, a Jesuit, who advised her to threaten the unknown person with the exorcisms of the Church. This menace did not disturb her; she replied tranquilly, that she feared not the prayers of the Church. " They have no power," she added, "but against the demons and the damned ; none whatever against predestined souls, who are in the grace of God as I am." Hugette was not yet convinced. "How," said she to the young girl, "can you be my Aunt Leonarde ? She was old and worn, disagreeable and whimsical, whilst you are young, gentle, and obliging?" "Ah, my dear niece," replied the apparition, "my real body is in the tomb, where it will remain until the resurrection ; this one which you see is one miraculously formed from the air to allow me to speak to you, to serve you, and obtain your suffrages. As regards my irritable disposition, seventeen years of terrible suffering have taught me patience and meekness. Know, also, that in Purgatory we are confirmed in grace, marked with the seal of the elect, and therefore exempt from all vice."

After such explanation, incredulity was impossible. Hugette, at once astounded and grateful, received with joy the services rendered during the fourteen days designated. She alone could see and hear the deceased, who came at certain hours and then disappeared. As soon as her strength permitted, she devoutly made the pilgrimages which were asked of her.

At the end of fourteen days the apparition ceased. Leonarde appeared for the last time to announce her deliverance ; she was then in a state of incomparable glory, brilliant as a star, and her countenance bore an expression of the most perfect beatitude. In her turn, she testified her gratitude to her niece, promised to pray for her and her whole family, and advised her ever to remember, amid the sufferings of this life, the end of our existence, which is the salvation of our soul.

~ From Purgatory by Fr. F.X. Schouppe, S.J.

Tan Books and Publishers, Inc.

St. Catherine of Genoa: Souls in Purgatory Are Content With God's Will

Of the submission of the souls in Purgatory to God's will.

So intimate with God are the souls in Purgatory and so changed to His will, that in all things they are content with His most holy ordinance. And if a soul were brought to see God when it had still a trifle of which to purge itself, a great injury would be done it. For since pure love and supreme justice could not brook that stained soul, and to bear with its presence would not befit God, it would suffer a torment worse than ten purgatories. To see God when full satisfaction had not yet been made Him, even if the time of purgation lacked but the twinkling of an eye, would be unbearable to that soul. It would sooner go to a thousand hells, to rid itself of the little rust still clinging to it, than stand in the divine presence when it was not yet wholly cleansed.

~ St. Catherine of Genoa, from Treatise on Purgatory ~

St. Philip Neri and the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Saint Philip Neri had always had a great devotion to the Souls in Purgatory.

He taught his Oratorians to pray for the Poor Souls, to do redemptive suffering for them, to offer up good works and especially have Masses said for them, as there is nothing that moves the Father's Heart like the Sacrifice of the Mass.

Those who had been part of his Community, or under his spiritual direction, held a special place in his heart.

Many times, he was visited by those of his Community, who had passed on, asking for prayers. Very often they returned to thank him for what he had done for them, how through his prayers, most powerfully during the Mass, he had kept them out of the pits of Hell, and instead brought them to Purgatory, where they had confident assurance that they would one day share in the Beatific Vision.

After our Saint's death, a holy priest was praying before his tomb when Saint Philip Neri appeared to him in radiant glory.

The priest recognized him - It was the glorified St. Philip, surrounded by blessed spirits! The priest asked him the meaning of these spirits. He replied that these were the souls who had been under his spiritual direction during life, and for whose release from Purgatory, he had prayed.

Having attained entry into Heaven through him, they had come to meet him upon his death, and usher him into the Kingdom. They were so grateful to St. Philip Neri for praying for them and offering Masses for their release from Purgatory, they had prayed for him till the day he died.

~ Excerpts from here ~

St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi: Purgatory Before the Blessed Sacrament

One day, while praying before the Blessed Sacrament, St. Mary Magdalen saw the tortured soul of one of the sisters, who had passed on recently. She saw her rising painfully from the earth, encircled by leaping flames wrapping themselves around her body. The only thing that kept them from scorching the sister's body was a sparkling white robe covering her, shielding her from the blazing fire. She had been faithful to the Rule. She had led a pious life. Then why was she coming to Sister Mary Magdalen like this?

This sister explained that she had grudgingly spent time before the Blessed Sacrament while she was alive. And now, she was being denied her Spouse's Beatific Vision. She went over to where the Blessed Sacrament was exposed and remained kneeling at the foot of the altar, oblivious to the flames about her, adoring her Lord so very preciously present in His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Oh how she had longed to see Him, once more! Worse than the furnace, which enveloped her in Purgatory, was the loss of the vision of her Lord. She remained motionless, her eyes transfixed on her Savior. At the end of her hour with her Lord in this Garden of Gethsemane, her penance ended, St. Mary Magdalen saw the sister rise to Heaven.

~ Excerpt from Visions of Heaven, Hell and Purgatory by Bob and Penny Lord ~

St. Catherine of Genoa: Peace of the Souls in Purgatory

"There is no peace to be compared with that of the souls in Purgatory,

save that of the saints in Paradise,

and this peace is ever augmented by the in-flowing of God into these souls,

which increases in proportion as the impediments to it are removed."

~ St. Catherine of Genoa ~

St. Jean Vianney: Pray Much for the Poor Dead

"Oh, my friends, let us pray much,

and let us obtain many prayers from others, for the poor dead;

the good God will render us back the good we do to them a hundred fold.

Ah, if every one knew

how useful this devotion to the holy souls in Purgatory is to those who practice it,

they would not be forgotten so often;

the good God regards all that we do for them as if it were done to Himself."

~ St. Jean Vianney ~

Offering to Immaculate Mary for Souls in Purgatory

Immaculate Mary, Mother of Mercy,

who saw the sacred Body of Your beloved Son raised on the Cross,

looked at the soil soaked with His Blood,

and were present at His cruel death,

we offer you, most Holy Mother, the souls suffering in purgatory,

and we beg you to be so kind as to look upon them with your merciful eyes

and ask for their release from their torments.

In order to receive your forgiveness, O Immaculate Mother,

we sincerely and heartily forgive all those who have insulted us,

and through your intercession,

we beg Jesus to grant them every goodness, grace, and blessing

in exchange for the wrong they did to us or wished upon us.

Through your hands, O Holy Virgin,

we offer to the Lord this act of love,

asking His mercy for the souls that are being purged. Amen.

Bishop Robert Morlino: The Communion of Saints at Mass

"We should be mindful of the mystery of the communion of saints and remember that we live out that communion most especially at the Mass. When we get to the moment of the great Eucharistic Prayer and we are invited to “lift up our hearts,” that means we are going mystically to heaven. Through the liturgy of the Church, the Holy Spirit reminds us of all the truth about Jesus. And at the Mass we are lifted mystically up to heaven and there we are with the Lord, with Mary, the Queen of all Saints, with Joseph, with all of the Apostles, and the martyrs, and the angels...

"What reverence should overtake us during the Eucharistic prayer! We should be overcome with reverence because, in a mystical way, we get to be right there with the saints in heaven and, very importantly too, we get to be with all the souls in purgatory.

"November is the month of the holy souls and we should remember that the closest we can come to our loved ones who have died, the closest that I can come to my mother and father, to my grandparents, to all my family members and good friends who have died, the closest that I can get to them, to be one with them in prayer is at Mass! Our faith in this mystery is indicated in those few words, “I believe in the communion of saints.” Mass is a Holy place to be..."

~ Bishop Robert Morlino, from Importance of the Communion of Saints ~

God's Justice for Neglect of Souls in Purgatory

St. Antoninus, the illustrious Archbishop of Florence, relates that a pious gentleman had died, who was a great friend of the Dominican Convent in which the Saint resided. Many Masses and suffrages were offered for his soul.

The Saint was very much afflicted when, after the lapse of a long time, the soul of the poor gentleman appeared to him, suffering excruciating pains.

"Oh, my Dear Friend, " exclaimed the Archbishop, "are you still in Purgatory, you who led such a pious and devout life?"

"Yes, and I shall remain there still for a long time, " replied the poor sufferer, "for when on Earth I neglected to offer suffrages for the souls in Purgatory. Now, God by a just judgment has applied the suffrages which have been offered for me to those souls for whom I should have prayed. "

"But God, too, in His Justice, will give me all the merits of my good works when I enter Heaven; but first of all, I have to expiate my grave neglect in regard to others. "

So true are the words of Our Lord: "By that measure with which you measure, it will be measured to you again. "

Remember, you who read these lines, that the terrible fate of this pious gentleman will be the fate of all those who neglect to pray for and refuse to help the Holy Souls.

~ From Read Me or Rue It by Fr. Paul O'Sullivan, O.P. ~