"To think of oneself as nothing, and always to think well and highly of others is the best and most perfect wisdom. Wherefore, if you see another sin openly or commit a serious crime, do not consider yourself better, for you do not know how long you can remain in good estate. All men are frail, but you must admit that none is more frail than yourself. "

Thomas à Kempis

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"It is vanity to love what passes quickly and not to look ahead where eternal joy abides. "

Thomas à Kempis

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"Try to turn your heart from the love of things visible and bring yourself to things invisible. For they who follow their own evil passions stain their consciences and lose the grace of God. "

Thomas à Kempis

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 St Catherine of Genoa   (1447 - 1510)
 

TREATISE ON PURGATORY

by St Catherine of Genoa

CONTENTS

 

The divine fire which St. Catherine experienced in herself, made her comprehend the state of souls in purgatory, and that they are contented there although in torment.

1. The state of souls in purgatory. They are exempt from all self-love.
2. The joy of souls in purgatory. The saint illustrates their ever increasing vision of God. The difficulty of speaking about their state.
3. Separation from God is the greatest pain of purgatory. In this, purgatory differs from hell.
4. The difference between the state of the souls in hell and that of those in purgatory.
5. Of the peace and joy which are found in purgatory.
6. A comparison to express with how great violence of love the souls in purgatory desire to enjoy God.
7. Of the marvelous wisdom of God in the creation of purgatory and of hell.
8. Of the necessity of purgatory, and of its terrific character
9. How God and the soul reciprocally regard each other in purgatory. The saint confesses that she has no words to express these things.
10. How God makes use of purgatory to complete the purification of the soul. That she acquires therein a purity so great that if she were yet to remain after her purification she would cease to suffer.
11. The desire of souls in purgatory to be purified from every stain of sin. The wisdom of God in veiling from them their defects.
12. How joy and suffering are united in purgatory.
13. The souls in purgatory are not in a state to merit. How they regard the suffrages offered for them in this world.
14. Of the submission of the souls in purgatory to the will of God.
15. Reproaches of the soul in purgatory to persons in this world.
16. Showing that the sufferings of the souls in purgatory do not prevent their peace and joy.
17. Which concludes with an application of all that has been said concerning the souls in purgatory to what the saint experiences in her own soul.