Purgatory (Doctrinal, Historical, and Poetical) | Page 7

her own soul the condition of the souls of
the faithful in Purgatory, where they are purified from the rust and stain
of sins, from which they have not been cleansed in this world. And as
in the purgatory of that divine flame she was united with the divine
love and satisfied with all that was accomplished in her, she was
enabled to comprehend the state of the souls in Purgatory, and thus
discoursed concerning it:
"As far as I can see, the souls in Purgatory can have no choice but be
there; this God has most justly ordained by His divine decree. They
cannot turn towards themselves and say, 'I have committed such and
such sins for which I deserve to remain here;' nor can they say, 'Would
that I had refrained from them, for then I should at this moment be in
Paradise;' nor again, 'This soul will be released before me;' or, 'I shall
be released before her.' They retain no memory of either good or evil
respecting themselves or others which would increase their pain. They
are so contented with the divine inspirations in their regard, and with
doing all that is pleasing to God in that way which he chooses, that they
cannot think of themselves, though they may strive to do so. They see
nothing but the operation of the divine goodness which is so manifestly
bringing them to God that they can reflect neither on their own profit
nor on their hurt. Could they do so, they would not be in pure charity.
They see not that they suffer their pains in consequence of their sins,
nor can they for a moment entertain that thought, for should they do so
it would be an active imperfection, and that cannot exist in a state
where there is no longer the possibility of sin. At the moment of
leaving this life, they see why they are sent to Purgatory, but never
again; otherwise they would still retain something private, which has
no place there. Being established in charity, they can never deviate
therefrom by any defect, and have no will or desire save the pure will
of pure love, and can swerve from it in nothing. They can neither
commit sin nor merit by refraining from it.
* * * * *
"There is no peace to be compared with that of the souls in Purgatory,
save that of the saints in Paradise, and this peace is ever augmented by
the inflowing of God into these souls, which increases in proportion as
the impediments to it are removed. The rust of sin is the impediment,

and this the fire continually consumes, so that the soul in this state is
continually opening itself to admit the divine communication. As a
covered surface can never reflect the sun, not through any defect in that
orb, but simply from the resistance offered by the covering, so, if the
covering be gradually removed, the surface will by little and little be
opened to the sun and will more and more reflect his light. So it is with
the rust of sin, which is the covering of the soul. In Purgatory the
flames incessantly consume it, and as it disappears the soul reflects
more and more perfectly the true sun, who is God. Its contentment
increases as this rust wears away, and the soul is laid bare to the divine
ray; and thus one increases and the other decreases until the time is
accomplished. The pain never diminishes, although the time does; but,
as to the will, so united is it to God by pure charity, and so satisfied to
be under His divine appointment, that these souls can never say their
pains are pains.
"On the other hand, it is true that they suffer torments which no tongue
can describe nor any intelligence comprehend, unless it be revealed by
such a special grace as that which God has vouchsafed to me, but
which I am unable to explain. And this vision which God revealed to
me has never departed from my memory. I will describe it as far as I
am able, and they whose intellects our Lord will deign to open will
understand me.
* * * * *
"The source of all suffering is either original or actual sin. God created
the soul pure, simple, free from every stain, and with a certain beatific
instinct towards Himself. It is drawn aside from Him by original sin,
and when actual sin is afterwards added this withdraws it still farther,
and ever, as it removes from Him, its sinfulness increases because its
communication with God grows less and less.
* * * * *
"Since the souls in Purgatory are freed from the guilt of sin, there is no
barrier