Purgatory: Explained by the Lives and Legends of the Saints
Purgatory: Explained by the Lives and Legends of the Saints by Fr. F.X. Schouppe
Purgatory: Explained by the Lives and Legends of the Saints, recounts descriptions of purgatory from the accounts of many of the Catholic Saints we are familiar with.
The first chapter of Purgatory: Explained by the Lives and Legends of the Saints, opens with the following statement:
“Purgatory occupies an important place in our holy religion: It forms one of the principal parts of the work of Jesus Christ, and plays an essential role in the economy of the salvation of man.
The Definitive Book on Purgatory
The liberal Catholic might have little use for the idea of purgatory, but it is essential, and it exists.
Purgatory is a dogma of the Catholic Church and was proclaimed as such in 1438. It is as much a dogma as hell or heaven, even though the Protestant Reformers rejected it in the 16th Century.
In order to underscore the importance of the dogma of purgatory and how important it is to pray for the poor souls, Fr. F.X. Schouppe, S.J., in Purgatory: Explained by the Lives and Legends of the Saints, recounts descriptions of purgatory from Catholic Saints. What a joy to read the experiences ofs, St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. Frances de Sales, St. Peter Damian, St. Magdalene de Pazzi, St. Gertrude and much more.
Answers to Your Questions on Purgatory
Fr. Schouppe addresses the questions we all have, such as:
- The location of purgatory.
- The pains of purgatory & the diversity of the pains. Yes, purgatory hurts.
- The duration of purgatory
- The consolations of purgatory
- Means of assisting the souls in purgatory
- Relief of the Holy Souls
- Motives and incentives to devotion for the Holy Souls. Being human, we respond to incentives.
- The gratitude of the souls
- Means to avoid purgatory (it’s not easy, but it can be done)!
Did you know that one way to avoid a long purgatory is to submit oneself to the Divine Will upon one’s deathbed?
Yes, we are allowed to do whatever we can to fight illness, but once is it clear that death is imminent, we must submit to the holy will.
There is an interesting account of how Venerable Mother Frances of the Blessed Sacrament was visited by the soul of a very pious young woman, whose purgatory was extended because she resisted the Diving Will on her deathbed. She had to expiate for her lack of submission.
The first time I read this book (you will read it over and over), I could not put it down. If you have a detailed-oriented mind like I do, these accounts of purgatory from the Saints, will not only inspire you to live a holy life, so that your purgatory is shortened, it will also inspire a devotion for the poor souls who need our help.
