True Stories of Purgatory

St. Teresa had a great love for the souls in Purgatory, and assisted them as much she possibly could by her prayers and good works. As a reward for her charity, God frequently showed her the souls whom she had delivered. She saw them released from suffering and entering into Heaven. These souls generally came forth from beneath the ground. The following is from the writing of St. Teresa herself.

She was told of the death of a Provincial who had been acquainted with her, and had been a great help to her. However, the news of his death made St. Teresa very uneasy for him. Even though this man was commendable for many virtues, the saint was concerned for the salvation of his soul. This was simply because he had been Superior for twenty years. The wise and experienced saint was always fearful for those who, because of their authority, are responsible for the care of souls.

Very much grieved for the deceased Provincial, she went to an oratory to pray for him. She asked our Divine Lord to give this Religious the merits she had earned during her life. And, as our merits are nothing by themselves, the saint asked our Lord to use His infinite merits to supply the rest, so that the good man’s soul might be freed from Purgatory.

She implored God for this grace with all the fervor of her soul. While she prayed, she saw something on her right side. It was the soul of the Provincial. He came out from the depths of the earth and rose up to Heaven with indescribable joy. Although this priest was elderly when he died, he appeared to St. Teresa with the features of a young man, not yet thirty years old. And his face was resplendent with light.

The Saint, in describing her experience, expresses her reaction: "This vision, though very short, left me inundated with joy, and without a shadow of doubt as to the truth of what I had seen."

Because St. Teresa lived some distance away from the place where the Provincial had died, it was some time before she learned the details of his edifying death. Everyone who witnessed it couldn’t help but admire how he preserved consciousness to the last moment. They were moved by the tears he shed, and edified by the sentiments of humility which he possessed as he died.


	St. Teresa's Merits
	St. Teresa had a great love for the souls in Purgatory, and assisted them as much she possibly could by her prayers and good works. As a reward for her charity, God frequently showed her the souls whom she had delivered. She saw them released from suffering and entering into Heaven. These souls generally came forth from beneath the ground. The following is from the writing of St. Teresa herself. She was told of the death of a Provincial who had been acquainted with her, and had been a great help to her. However, the news of his death made St. Teresa very uneasy for him. Even though this man was commendable for many virtues, the saint was concerned for the salvation of his soul. This was simply because he had been Superior for twenty years. The wise and experienced saint was always fearful for those who, because of their authority, are responsible for the care of souls. Very much grieved for the deceased Provincial, she went to an oratory to pray for him. She asked our Divine Lord to give this Religious the merits she had earned during her life. And, as our merits are nothing by themselves, the saint asked our Lord to use His infinite merits to supply the rest, so that the good man’s soul might be freed from Purgatory. She implored God for this grace with all the fervor of her soul. While she prayed, she saw something on her right side. It was the soul of the Provincial. He came out from the depths of the earth and rose up to Heaven with indescribable joy. Although this priest was elderly when he died, he appeared to St. Teresa with the features of a young man, not yet thirty years old. And his face was resplendent with light. The Saint, in describing her experience, expresses her reaction: "This vision, though very short, left me inundated with joy, and without a shadow of doubt as to the truth of what I had seen." Because St. Teresa lived some distance away from the place where the Provincial had died, it was some time before she learned the details of his edifying death. Everyone who witnessed it couldn’t help but admire how he preserved consciousness to the last moment. They were moved by the tears he shed, and edified by the sentiments of humility which he possessed as he died.