THAT which shows still more
the rigour of Purgatory is that the shortest period of time there appears to be
of very long duration. Every one knows that days of enjoyment pass quickly and
appear short, whilst the time passed in suffering we find very long. Oh, how slowly
pass the night for the poor sick, who spend them in sleeplessness and pain. We
may say that the more intense the pain the longer appears the shortest duration
of time. This rule furnishes us with a new means of estimating the sufferings of
Purgatory.
We find in the Annals of the
Friar Minors, under the year 1285, a fact which is also related by St.
Antoninus in his Summa. A religious man
suffering for a long time from a painful malady, allowed himself to be overcome
by discouragement, and entreated God to permit him to die, that he might be
released from his pains. He did not think that the prolongation of his sickness
was a mercy of God, who wished to spare him more severe suffering. In answer to
his prayer, God charged His angel-guardian to offer him his choice, either to
die immediately and submit to the pains of Purgatory for three days, or to bear
his sickness for another year and then go directly to Heaven. The sick man,
having to choose between three days in Purgatory and one year of suffering upon
earth, did not hesitate, but took the three days in Purgatory. After the lapse
of an hour, his angel went to visit him in his sufferings. On seeing him, the
poor patient complained that he had been left so long in those torments. And
yet, he added, you promised that I should remain here but three days.
How long,” asked the angel, “do
you think you have already suffered? “At least for several years,” he replied,”
and I had to suffer but three days. Know, “said the angel that you have been
here only one hour. The intensity of the pain deceives you as to the time; it
makes an instant appear a day, and an hour years.” Alas! Then, said he with a
sigh, I have been very blind and inconsiderate in the choice I have made. Pray
God, my good angel, to pardon me, and permit me to return to earth. I am ready
to submit to the most cruel maladies, not only for two years, but as long as it
shall please Him. Rather six years of horrible suffering than one single hour
in this abyss of unutterable agonies.
The following is taken from a
pious author quoted by Father Rossignoli. Two Religious, of eminent virtue, vied
with each other in leading a holy life. One of them fell sick, and learned in a
vision that he should soon die, that he should be saved, and that he should
remain in Purgatory only until the first Mass should be celebrated for the
repose of his soul. Full of joy at these tidings, he hastened to impart them to
his friend, and entreated him not to delay the celebration of the Mass which
was to open Heaven to him.
He died the following morning,
and his holy companion lost no time in celebrating the Holy Sacrifice. After
Mass, whilst he was making his thanksgiving, and still continuing to pray for
his departed friend, the latter appeared to him radiant with glory, but in a tone
sweetly plaintive he asked why that one Mass of which he stood in need had been
so long delayed.
“My blessed brother,” replied
the Religious, I delayed so long, you say? I do not understand you.
“What ! did you not leave me
to suffer for more than a year before offering Mass for the repose of my soul.”
Indeed, my dear brother, I
commenced Mass immediately after your death; not a quarter of an hour had
elapsed.
Then, regarding him with emotion,
the blessed soul cried out, How terrible are those expiatory pains, since they
have caused me to mistake minutes for a year. Serve God, my dear brother, with
an exact fidelity, in order that you may avoid those chastisements. Farewell !
I fly to heaven, where you will soon join me.
This severity of Divine Justice
in regard to the most fervent souls is explained by the infinite Sanctity of
God, who discovers stains in that
which appears to us most pure. The Annals of the Order of St. Francis speak of
a Religious whose eminent sanctity had caused him to be surnamed Angelicus. He
died in odour of sanctity at the monastery of the Friars Minors in Paris, and
one of his brethren in religion, a doctor in theology, persuaded that, after a
life so perfect, he had gone directly to Heaven, and that he stood in no need
of prayers, omitted to celebrate for him the three Masses of obligation which,
according to the custom of the Institute, were offered for each departed member.
After a few days, whilst he
was walking and meditating in a retired spot, the deceased appeared before him
enveloped in flames, and said to him, in a mournful voice, Dear master, I beg
of you have pity upon me ! What ! Brother Angelicus, do you need my assistance?
I am detained in the fires of Purgatory, awaiting the fruit of the Holy
Sacrifice which you should have offered three times for me. Beloved brother, I
thought you were already in possession of eternal glory. After a life so
fervent and exemplary as yours had been, I could not imagine that there remained
any pain to be suffered.
Alas ! alas ! replied the
departed, no one can believe with what severity God judges and punishes His creatures.
His infinite Sanctity discovers in our best actions defective spots,
imperfections which displease Him. He requires us to give an account even to
the last farthing. Usque ad novissimum quadrantem.
