True Stories of Purgatory

St. Perpetua was imprisoned at Carthage for her Catholic Faith, in the year 205, during the persecution of Septimus Severus. While she was in prison and awaiting martyrdom, the Saint was given a vision. She herself wrote down what she saw.

St. Perpetua saw Purgatory, appearing as a hot, dry desert. In the desert, who should she see but her younger brother, Dinocrates. Dinocrates had died when he was seven years old, and now he looked to be in pain. He had a ugly ulcer on his face and he seemed to be very thirsty. There was a fountain very near to him, and he reached forward to drink from it. However, he was too short and the rim of the fountain was beyond his reach. No matter how high he stood, he couldn’t reach the water inside.

Seeing this, St. Perpetua understood that Dinocrates was in Purgatory, and that he was looking for her to help him by her prayers. Realizing this, she began praying for him immediately.

Three days passed, when God gave St. Perpetua a second vision of her brother. This time, Dinocrates was happily standing in some beautiful gardens. The ulcer on his face was gone, and he was now quite handsome. He was dressed in a shimmering garment. Moreover, the rim of the water fountain was now low enough for him to reach, and St. Perpetua saw him drinking these waters from a golden cup.

Seeing her brother like this, the Saint was very happy. For she knew that now her little brother was in Heaven forever.


	St. Perpetua's Little Brother
	St. Perpetua was imprisoned at Carthage for her Catholic Faith, in the year 205, during the persecution of Septimus Severus. While she was in prison and awaiting martyrdom, the Saint was given a vision. She herself wrote down what she saw. St. Perpetua saw Purgatory, appearing as a hot, dry desert. In the desert, who should she see but her younger brother, Dinocrates. Dinocrates had died when he was seven years old, and now he looked to be in pain. He had a ugly ulcer on his face and he seemed to be very thirsty. There was a fountain very near to him, and he reached forward to drink from it. However, he was too short and the rim of the fountain was beyond his reach. No matter how high he stood, he couldn’t reach the water inside. Seeing this, St. Perpetua understood that Dinocrates was in Purgatory, and that he was looking for her to help him by her prayers. Realizing this, she began praying for him immediately. Three days passed, when God gave St. Perpetua a second vision of her brother. This time, Dinocrates was happily standing in some beautiful gardens. The ulcer on his face was gone, and he was now quite handsome. He was dressed in a shimmering garment. Moreover, the rim of the water fountain was now low enough for him to reach, and St. Perpetua saw him drinking these waters from a golden cup. Seeing her brother like this, the Saint was very happy. For she knew that now her little brother was in Heaven forever.