This holy soul, while still in the flesh, was placed in the
purgatory of the burning love of God, in whose flames she was
purified from every stain, so that when she passed from this life
she might be ready to enter the presence of God, her most sweet
love.
By means of that flame of love she comprehended in 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 discovered concerning it:
"As far as I can see, the souls in purgatory can have no
choice but to 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 dispositions 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. |