of the Friars Minors in Paris, and one of his brethren in religion, a doctor in theology, persuaded that, after a life so perfect, he had gone directly to Heaven, and that he stood in no need of prayers, omitted to celebrate for him the three Masses of obligation which, according to the custom of the Institute, were offered for each departed member.
After a few days, whilst he was walking and meditating in a retired spot, the deceased appeared before him enveloped in flames, and said to him, in a mournful voice, " Dear master, I beg of you have pity upon me! " " What! Brother Angelicus, do you need my assistance? " "I am detained in the fires of Purgatory, awaiting the fruit of the Holy Sacrifice which you should have offered three times for me." "Beloved brother, I thought you were already in possession of eternal glory. After a life so fervent and exemplary as yours had been, I could not imagine that there remained any pain to be suffered." "Alas! alas!" replied the departed, " no one can believe with what severity God judges and punishes His creatures. His infinite Sanctity discovers in our best actions defective spots, imperfections which displease Him. He requires us to give an account even to the last farthing. Usque ad novissimum quadranrantem."
CHAPTER XVII.
Pains of Purgatory — Blessed Quinziani — The Emperor Maurice.
In the Life of Blessed Stephana Quinziani,[1] a Dominican nun, mention is made of a sister named Paula, who died at the convent of Mantua, after a long life of eminent
- ↑ Auctore Franc. Seghizzo; cf. Merv., 42; Marchese, 2 Jan.
