Purgatory_SCHOUPPE - the Catholic Kingdom!

"1 6 THE DOGMA OF PURGATORY.and little, comprehendedstill less ? Ah ! I now see ; youwished to give me the knowledge of your infinite sanctity,and to make me detest more and more the least stain ofsin, which is so abominable in your eyes."CHAPTER VII.Location of PurgatorySt. Lidwina of Schiedam.LET us narrate a third vision relating to the interior ofPurgatory, that of St. Lidwina of Schiedam, 1 who diedApril n, 1433, and whose history, written by a contemporary priest, has the most perfect authenticity. This admirable virgin, a true prodigy of Christian patience, was a preyto all the pains of the most cruel maladies for the period ofthirty-eight years. Her sufferings rendering sleep impossibleto her, she passed long nights in prayer, and then, frequentlywrapt in spirit, she was conducted by her angel-guardianinto the mysterious regions of Purgatory. There she sawdwellings, prisons, divers dungeons, one more dismal thanthe other ;she met, too, souls that she knew, and she wasshown their various punishments.It may be asked, What was the nature of those ecstaticand journeys?" it is difficult to explain; but we may conclude from certain other circumstances that there was morereality in them than we might be led to believe. The holyinvalid made similar journeys and pilgrimages upon earth,to the holy places in Palestine, to the churches of Rome,and to monasteries in the vicinity. She had an exactknowledge of the places which she had thus traversed. AReligious of the monastery of St. Elizabeth, conversing oneday with her, and speaking of the cells, of the chapter-room,of the refectory, &c., of his community, she gave him as1 April 14.Private Use Only