CHAPTER XLVIII.
Advantages — Temporal Favours — The Neapolitan Woman and the Mysterious Note.
To prove that the souls in Purgatory show their gratitude even by temporal favours, Father Rossignoli relates a fact that happened at Naples, which bears some resemblance to that which we have just read.
If it is not given to all to offer to God the abundant alms of Judas Machabeus, who sent twelve thousand drachms to Jerusalem for sacrifices and prayers to be offered in behalf of the dead, there are very few who cannot at least make the offering of the poor widow of the Gospel, who was praised by our Saviour Himself. She gave only two mites, but, said Jesus, " these two mites were of more value than all the gold of the rich, because she of her want east in all she had, even her whole living." [1] This touching example was imitated by a humble Neapolitan woman, who had the greatest difficulty in providing for the wants of her family. The resources of the house depended upon the daily earnings of the husband, who each evening brought home the fruit of his labours.
Alas! one day this poor father was imprisoned for debt, so that the responsibility of supporting the family rested upon the unhappy mother, who possessed nothing but her confidence in God. With faith she besought Divine Providence to come to her aid, and especially to deliver her husband, who languished in prison for no other crime than his poverty.
She went to a wealthy and benevolent gentleman, and, relating to him the sad story of her woes, entreated him with tears to assist her. God permitted that she should
- ↑ St. Mark xii. 44.
