Revelations of the Saints on Purgatory

Revelations of the Saints on Purgatory


St. Jean Vianney, The Cure' of Ars (1786-1859)
"We must say many prayers for the souls of the Faithful Departed, for one must be so pure to enter Heaven!"


Our Lord to Sr. Mary Martha Chambon:

"When you offer My Holy Wounds for sinners, you must not forget to do so for the souls in Purgatory, as there are but few who think of their relief...."



Our Lord to Sr. Mary Martha Chambon:
"The Holy Wounds are the treasure of treasures for the souls in Purgatory"



St. John Chrysostom referring to Jesus present in the Holy Eucharist:
"Not in vain do we at the holy mysteries make mention of the departed, and draw near on their behalf, beseeching the Lamb who is lying on the altar, who took away the sin of the world."



St. Augustine of Hippo:
"Though this fire is destined to cleanse and purify the soul, still it is more acute than anything we could possibly endure on Earth."



St. Cyril of Alexandria:
"It would be preferable to suffer all the possible torments of Earth until the Judgment Day than to pass one day in Purgatory."



Pope Benedict XV:
"The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetimes, rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death."

St. Catherine of Genoa wrote:

"God inspires the soul in Purgatory with so ardent a movement of devoted love that it would be sufficient to annihilate her were she not immortal. Illumined and inflamed by this pure charity, the more she loves God, the more she detests the least stain that displeases him, the least hindrance that prevents her union with him."

Our Lord to St. Gertrude the Great:

"My love urges Me to release the poor souls. If a beneficent king leaves his guilty friend in prison for justice's sake, he awaits with longing for one of his nobles to plead for the prisoner and to offer something for his release. Then the king joyfully, sets him free. Similarly, I accept with highest pleasure what is offered to Me for the poor souls, for I long inexpressibly to have near Me those for whom I paid so great a price.

By the prayers of thy loving soul, I am induced to free a prisoner from purgatory as often as thou dost move thy tongue to utter a word of prayer!"

Our Obligation Towards the Holy Souls
. It is within our power to help release the souls from their prison of suffering by our prayers and sacrifices. We are obliged by charity and mercy to do so.
"...Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames."
(Luke 16:19)

It's quite possible that each and every one of us know at least someone suffering there. Our own relatives, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, grandparents and friends who languish in unspeakable suffering in the terrible fires of Purgatory for who knows how long? How can we neglect them? But we do. It's like the saying goes: 'Out of sight, out of mind.' We may very well find ourselves there someday. Think on how good we must be to see God; we must be pure in love and without any blemish of sin.

"A pure soul is synonymous
with a heart full of love of God."
~ Blessed Padre Pio

The poor souls are unable to pray for themselves. The opportunities they had in this life to avoid punishment by making atonement - have passed once they have left this life. But we can pray for them, and they in turn are able to pray and intercede for us. Their intercession is powerful because they are so near to the Heart of our Savior who longs impatiently to have them with Him in Heaven.

But ironically enough, the Holy Souls presence in Purgatory - provides us with a means of avoiding this terrible place! Who suffers more than the holy souls? As we have learned throughout the centuries, the torments of the soul can be far greater than any physical suffering we could endure without dying. By obtaining the release or relief of even one soul from his suffering in Purgatory we are performing a great act of spiritual mercy. It's merit shall not go unrewarded - either by God or by the powerful intercession of this new and grateful saint in Heaven! It can only be to our great benefit to work towards the release of as many souls as possible - for it is written:

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
(Matthew 5:7)