Retired priest Fr. Ed Santos listened intently as I told him over brunch of Vigan longaniza and fried rice about my encounter with a soul from Purgatory in downtown Angeles City. I saw her (the soul, whom I did not then suspect to be so) fall backward, straight like a log, on the concrete sidewalk, but she seemed unhurt although in need of someone to lift her up. I had expected the others in the walking downtown crowd to rush to help but, strangely, it was as if no one else could see her. All else just continued to briskly walk past. I helped her up, guided her to a wall and suggested that she rested there first. I went on to the nearby bookstore, but then realized I should have assisted the woman board her jeepney to her home. When I rushed back to where I had left her, she was gone. It took some time to realize she was a ghost in broad daylight, in downtown rush.
That experience shared, we continue with our series on souls in Purgatory, specifically excerpts from the Unpublished Manuscript on Purgatory which Catholic church authorities regard as a credible historical document. The publication, as we noted previously, transcribes the conversation between two nuns, Sister M. de L.C, who was then living in a convent in France, and the soul of another nun, Sister M. G. from 1873 to 1890. The latter nun was still in Purgatory and seeking the help of Sister M. de L.C. for her deliverance.
Sister M. de L. C. (Q): Do religious and those of the same family communicate together?
Sister M. G. (A): In Purgatory, as in Heaven, religious and those of the same family are not always together. Souls do not all merit the same punishment or the same reward. Still in Purgatory we do recognize others and if God permits it we may communicate with one another.
Q: Are you able to receive a prayer or a thought of friends who are dead, and let them know of the remembrance we have of them?
A: Thoughts of earth can be made known here, but there is not much in all that, because I have already told you that the souls in Purgatory know those persons who interest themselves in their behalf on earth. God sometimes allows those on earth to receive a prayer, a warning or some information. All that I told you about St. Michael was from himself and all that I said about your Father was from God.
Q: Does everyone in Purgatory know the faults of the others as they will be known at the last judgment?
A: In general we do not know about the faults of one another, except in some rare cases when God has particular designs with regard to certain souls, but it is to few that He acts in this way.
Q: Can the souls ever be mistaken? Would God allow this?
A: Yes, not about existing things but about the future. Yet there is no imperfection on their part in all this. Does not God Himself sometimes seem to change the order of His plans?5 For example, it may happen that God wishes to chastise a kingdom, a province, or person. That is the intention He seems to manifest. But by prayers or other means taken by that country, province or person to disarm God’s anger, He may grant full forgiveness or a partial remission of His designs according to His infinite wisdom. Often He also allows events to be foretold, or He gives knowledge of them to some soul so that they may warn others and appease His vengeance. His mercy is so great that He only punishes in the very last extremity.
Q: Do you know what happens on earth?
A: I only know what happens in so far as God wills it. My knowledge is very limited. I have known a little about the community, but that is all. I know nothing about what goes on in the souls of other people, except in your case. That is because God allows this for your perfection. What I have sometimes told you about certain persons and what I will tell you, I only know from God at the moment. For example, I do not know what is God’s will in regard to your Father’s parents. Perhaps later on I may know. I will pray to God for them and recommend them to St. Michael.
(to be continued)
That experience shared, we continue with our series on souls in Purgatory, specifically excerpts from the Unpublished Manuscript on Purgatory which Catholic church authorities regard as a credible historical document. The publication, as we noted previously, transcribes the conversation between two nuns, Sister M. de L.C, who was then living in a convent in France, and the soul of another nun, Sister M. G. from 1873 to 1890. The latter nun was still in Purgatory and seeking the help of Sister M. de L.C. for her deliverance.
Sister M. de L. C. (Q): Do religious and those of the same family communicate together?
Sister M. G. (A): In Purgatory, as in Heaven, religious and those of the same family are not always together. Souls do not all merit the same punishment or the same reward. Still in Purgatory we do recognize others and if God permits it we may communicate with one another.
Q: Are you able to receive a prayer or a thought of friends who are dead, and let them know of the remembrance we have of them?
A: Thoughts of earth can be made known here, but there is not much in all that, because I have already told you that the souls in Purgatory know those persons who interest themselves in their behalf on earth. God sometimes allows those on earth to receive a prayer, a warning or some information. All that I told you about St. Michael was from himself and all that I said about your Father was from God.
Q: Does everyone in Purgatory know the faults of the others as they will be known at the last judgment?
A: In general we do not know about the faults of one another, except in some rare cases when God has particular designs with regard to certain souls, but it is to few that He acts in this way.
Q: Can the souls ever be mistaken? Would God allow this?
A: Yes, not about existing things but about the future. Yet there is no imperfection on their part in all this. Does not God Himself sometimes seem to change the order of His plans?5 For example, it may happen that God wishes to chastise a kingdom, a province, or person. That is the intention He seems to manifest. But by prayers or other means taken by that country, province or person to disarm God’s anger, He may grant full forgiveness or a partial remission of His designs according to His infinite wisdom. Often He also allows events to be foretold, or He gives knowledge of them to some soul so that they may warn others and appease His vengeance. His mercy is so great that He only punishes in the very last extremity.
Q: Do you know what happens on earth?
A: I only know what happens in so far as God wills it. My knowledge is very limited. I have known a little about the community, but that is all. I know nothing about what goes on in the souls of other people, except in your case. That is because God allows this for your perfection. What I have sometimes told you about certain persons and what I will tell you, I only know from God at the moment. For example, I do not know what is God’s will in regard to your Father’s parents. Perhaps later on I may know. I will pray to God for them and recommend them to St. Michael.
(to be continued)
