“We must not make purgatory into a flaming concentration camp on the brink of hell—or even a ‘hell for a short time.’ It is blasphemous to think of it as a place where a petty God exacts the last pound—or ounce—of flesh...." St. Catherine of Genoa, a mystic of the 15th century, wrote that the ‘fire’ of purgatory is God’s love ‘burning’ the soul so that, at last, the soul is wholly aflame. It is the pain of wanting to be made totally worthy of One who is seen as infinitely lovable, the pain of desire for union that is now absolutely assured, but not yet fully tasted”. 

-Leonard Foley, O.F.M., Believing in Jesus

For Reflection:

Oh, the longing and anxiety of when, Lord, when, will I be with you at long last? When will I be like fire tried gold – with all the dross finally purged from my soul? Am I preparing now so that I can have a happy death and a short time in purgatory at the most?

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Preface    Page xiii-xiv

Father Arminjon's fifth conference on purgatory:  The man who is inflamed with the fire of divine love is as indifferent to glory and ignominy as if he were alone and unseen on this earth....he is no more liable to be captivated by some evil attachment than is gold, seven times tested, liable to be tarnished by rust.  Such are, even on this earth, the effects of divine love when it firmly takes hold of a soul.