In the chronicles of the Friars Minors, we read about a certain Blessed Stephen, a religious of that Order. He had a special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Each night, he would spend some time in adoration before It.
On one occasion, he was alone in the chapel. The only source of light was the faint glimmer of the little lamp.

Suddenly, he saw another monk. Stephen approached him, and asked if that monk had permission to leave his cell at such an hour. He was quite surprised to hear the sad monk’s unusual reply.

"I am a deceased Religious," the monk answered. "It is here, by a decree of God’s Justice, that I must undergo my Purgatory. Because it was here that I sinned by indifference and negligence at the Divine Office. The Lord permits me to make my condition known to you, so that you may assist me by your prayers."

Touched by these words, Blessed Stephen immediately knelt down to recite the De Profundis (a prayer for the dead) and other prayers. As Stephen prayed, he noticed a joy on the monk’s face.

Throughout the following nights, as Stephen prayed in the chapel, he saw the deceased monk there. But this monk appeared more happy each time, for each time brought him closer to his deliverance.

Finally, the night came when Blessed Stephen had offered all the prayers that the monk needed. At that moment, the deceased monk, who was now all radiant with light, arose. He expressed his gratitude to Stephen, who had freed him. And then the happy monk disappeared in the brightness of glory, to begin an unending lifetime of happiness in Heaven.