True Stories of Purgatory

This following story is only one of the numerous proofs that Purgatory really does exist. God, in His mercy, has given the world such testimonies like this that show the severity of Purgatory's torments, and the reality of its existence. In Foligno, Italy, at the Franciscan Tertiary convent, a certain nun, Sr. Teresa Gesta died on Nov. 4, 1859. She had been a model of pious fervor and devoted charity. Sr. Teresa's spiritual director said that it would not be surprising if God would glorify her by some miracle. That is to show how holy her spiritual director thought she had been.

During life, one of Sr. Teresa's duties had been the charge of the sacristy. After her death, this job was given to Sr. Anna Felicia, another nun of the convent. Twelve days after the death of Sr. Teresa, Sr. Anna was about to enter into the sacristy when she heard deep moans coming from beyond the door. Summoning her courage, she opened the door but found no one in the sacristy. Again, she heard the mournful groans so clearly that she felt she was about to give way to her fears. She cried out, "O my Lord! My Lady! What can be making these sounds?"

Before she could finish her prayer, an unearthly voice drowned out her own. "Oh! How I suffer!" Instantly, Sr. Anna recognized the voice as that of Sr. Teresa. The room was immediately filled with thick smoke, and the apparition of Sr. Teresa could be seen gliding along the wall towards the door. Upon reaching the door, she wailed aloud, "Behold a proof of the mercy of God." At these words, she struck the upper panel of the door, burning a palm print of her right hand into the heavy wood. Then she vanished.

Sr. Anna, though paralyzed with fright, began calling for help and soon managed to arouse the rest of her community. Many came hurriedly into the room and gazed in wonder at the marvelous mark left by their fellow nun. News quickly spread throughout the entire city and an official investigation was begun. On the 23rd of November, later that same month, Sr. Teresa's tomb was opened and the hole in the door was found to match exactly with the hand of the deceased (which had been unusually small). This door is preserved with great veneration at the Franciscan Tertiary convent. It shows the severity of God's justice, tempered by His Mercy.


	Proof of the Mercy of God
	This following story is only one of the numerous proofs that Purgatory really does exist. God, in His mercy, has given the world such testimonies like this that show the severity of Purgatory's torments, and the reality of its existence. In Foligno, Italy, at the Franciscan Tertiary convent, a certain nun, Sr. Teresa Gesta died on Nov. 4, 1859. She had been a model of pious fervor and devoted charity. Sr. Teresa's spiritual director said that it would not be surprising if God would glorify her by some miracle. That is to show how holy her spiritual director thought she had been. During life, one of Sr. Teresa's duties had been the charge of the sacristy. After her death, this job was given to Sr. Anna Felicia, another nun of the convent. Twelve days after the death of Sr. Teresa, Sr. Anna was about to enter into the sacristy when she heard deep moans coming from beyond the door. Summoning her courage, she opened the door but found no one in the sacristy. Again, she heard the mournful groans so clearly that she felt she was about to give way to her fears. She cried out, "O my Lord! My Lady! What can be making these sounds?" Before she could finish her prayer, an unearthly voice drowned out her own. "Oh! How I suffer!" Instantly, Sr. Anna recognized the voice as that of Sr. Teresa. The room was immediately filled with thick smoke, and the apparition of Sr. Teresa could be seen gliding along the wall towards the door. Upon reaching the door, she wailed aloud, "Behold a proof of the mercy of God." At these words, she struck the upper panel of the door, burning a palm print of her right hand into the heavy wood. Then she vanished. Sr. Anna, though paralyzed with fright, began calling for help and soon managed to arouse the rest of her community. Many came hurriedly into the room and gazed in wonder at the marvelous mark left by their fellow nun. News quickly spread throughout the entire city and an official investigation was begun. On the 23rd of November, later that same month, Sr. Teresa's tomb was opened and the hole in the door was found to match exactly with the hand of the deceased (which had been unusually small). This door is preserved with great veneration at the Franciscan Tertiary convent. It shows the severity of God's justice, tempered by His Mercy.