St. Corpreus was an Irish Bishop. One day, he was at his prayers when a frightful vision approached him. It was a man with a livid face, who wore around his neck a collar of fire, and upon his shoulders a miserable mantle all in tatters.

The saint had the grace to not be afraid when he saw this pitiful spectacle.

"Who are you?" asked Corpreus calmly.

"I am a soul from the other life," was the stranger's response.

"What has brought you to the sad condition in which I see you?"

"My faults have brought this chastisement upon me."

Then the poor soul explained who he was. He admitted that, although he now saw himself reduced to such misery, he was Malachy, formerly king of Ireland. Indeed, the sufferings he endured in Purgatory were a stark contrast to the comfort, wealth, and position that he had enjoyed on earth.

Then, filled with regret, the poor soul continued: "In that high position I could have done much good, and it was my duty to do so. I neglected this, and therefore I am punished."

"Did you not do penance for your faults?"

"I did not do sufficient penance. And this is because of the culpable weakness of my confessor. I bribed him to follow my own wishes by offering him a gold ring. It is because of this that I now wear a collar of fire around my neck."

Seeing that there was a link between the fault and its punishment, the saintly Bishop asked, "I would like to know... why are you covered with these rags?"

"It is another chastisement. I did not clothe those in need. I did not assist the poor with the charity, respect, and generousity proper to my dignity of king and my title of Catholic. This is why you see me clothed like the poor and covered with a garment of confusion."

After this sad vision, St. Corpreus joined with his brethren in offering prayers for their deceased and suffering king. At the end of six months, they learned that they had lessened his pains. Some time later, with God's grace and perseverance, they were able to obtain the entire deliverance of King Malachy.