ONE OF my most loved publications ever is titled An Unpublished Manuscript on Purgatory which in my view is one of the greatest blessings given humankind. It affirms the existence of a place of just purgation, gives good details about how it is there, and, most importantly, tells us how it can be avoided altogether.
My interest in Purgatory revolves around two points: those who are there rely on us earthling for faster entry into Heaven, and the need to familiarize ourselves with what could be in store for us, so that we would not be too confused and shocked when we land there. Remember, the Blessed Mother had said that only a few do directly to Heaven after death; most have to be purified first in Purgatory.
This is assuming, of course, that we have exerted enough efforts to make sure that Divine Mercy saves us from plunging into hell.
The publication, coming in paperback booklet, has become rare as hard copies in inexpensive brown paper as they used to be churned out by St. Paul’s. Hard copies have disappeared on bookstore shelves for reasons I don’t know, but it can be had via Kindle at low cost. Unfortunately, at least in the Philippines, not many are even aware that Kindle exists. So, I share some most interesting excerpts from the publication for my readers.
Some introduction on the booklet: It revolves around a Church-recognized conversation in the 18th century between Sister Mary of the Cross who was then living in a convent, and the soul of another nun Sister Mary Gabriel over a number of years as God had permitted, until the latter assumed into Heaven. This provided rich information about Purgatory, as Sister Mary of the Cross satisfied her curiosity about the afterlife.
Here are excerpts:
“It is so beautiful in Heaven. There is a great distance between Purgatory and Heaven. We are privileged at times to catch a glimpse of the joys of the blessed in Paradise, but it is almost a punishment. It makes us yearn to see God. In Heaven, it is pure delight; in Purgatory, profound darkness.
“You do well to pray to St. Michael and to urge others to do so. One is indeed happy at the hour of death when he has had confidence in some of the saints. They will be his protectors before God in that terrible moment.
“Yes, I suffer very much, but my greatest torment is not seeing God. It is a continuous martyrdom. It makes me suffer more than does the fire of Purgatory. If later on you love God as He wants you to, you will experience a little of the pining, which makes one long to be united to the object of one’s love, to Jesus.
“Yes, we sometimes see St. Joseph, but not as often as we do the Blessed Virgin.
“You must become indifferent to everything except what is for God. Thus you will reach the height of perfection to which Jesus calls you. Mother I— did not benefit by the Masses offered up. Religious have no right to dispose of their goods. It is contrary to holy poverty. If you say your prayers well, the souls confided to your care will be benefited by them. God never refuses graces which are asked of Him during prayers well said.
“Have no fear of fatigue when it is a question of serving God. Sacrifice everything for Him.
“We do not see God in Purgatory. That would make it Heaven. When a soul seeks God, and out of pure love desires nothing else, He never lets that soul be deceived.
“Note well, that whenever a storm rages against a soul, it quietly dies down again. The devil has his agents everywhere, even in convents. No, I do not see God when He is exposed (in the Holy Eucharist), yet I am conscious of His presence like you are with the eyes of faith. Our faith, however, is very different from yours. We know what God is. Always walk in the presence of God. Tell Him everything. Talk to Him as you would talk to a friend.
“Guard your interior life carefully. In order to prepare well for Holy Communion, you must love God not only before and after receiving Him but always and at all times. God desires you to think only of Him. your mind, your eyes, your tongue; that will be far more agreeable to God than corporal penances. These (corporal penances) all too often proceed from one’s own will.
“You must treat God as your Father, as a dear friend, as a beloved spouse. You must pour out all the tenderness of your heart on Jesus alone and on Him wholly and entirely. During all eternity you will sing of His infinite mercy in your regard.
“Watch carefully over your interior life. Keep all your small troubles for Jesus alone. He is well able to make up to you for whatever He takes from you. Your life must be one of unceasing interior acts of love and of mortification, but God alone must know of it. Do nothing extraordinary.”
