sister, and I shall ever remember you before Jesus and Mary."
Sister Catherine hastened to fulfil this request, and after a few days the soul again appeared, brilliant as a star, and returning thanks for her charity.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Motives for Assisting the Holy Souls — Excellence of this Work— St. Francis de Sales— St. Thomas of Aquin— St. Bridget.
We have just passed in review the means and resources which Divine Mercy has placed in our hands for the relief of our brethren in Purgatory. These means are powerful, the resources rich; but do we make an abundant use thereof? Having it in our power to assist the poor souls, have we zeal enough to do so? Are we as rich in Charity as God is rich in mercy? Alas! how many Christians do little or nothing for the departed! And those who forget them not, those who have sufficient Charity to aid them by their suffrages, how often are they not lacking in zeal and fervour! Compare the care we bestow upon the sick with the assistance which we give to the suffering souls. When a father or mother is afflicted with some malady, when a child or any person dear to us is a prey to suffering, what care, what solicitude, what devotion on our part! But the holy souls, who are no less dear to us, languish under the weight, not of a painful malady, but of expiatory torments a thousand times more cruel. Are we equally fervent, solicitous, eager to procure them relief? "No," says St. Francis de Sales, "we do not sufficiently remember our
