The following comes from a November 4 Catholic News Agency article by Hannah Brockhaus:
Nestled in Rome just outside the Vatican, a small unassuming museum dedicated to the souls in Purgatory displays simple items such as prayer books and clothing.
Nothing too unusual, until you realize that each allegedly show the marks of the deceased – such as inexplicably burned fingerprints – when they appeared to loved ones asking for prayers from Purgatory.
The Museum of the Souls in Purgatory is located inside of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Prati, near Castel Sant’Angelo, and contains around 15 of these testimonies and artifacts, collected from around Europe by a French priest Victor Jouët.
In many of the cases, it is held that the marks were left as proof that the deceased had really appeared, asking for prayers or for Masses to be said for their souls.
One artifact in the museum is the fingerprint of Sr. Mary of St. Luigi Gonzaga, left on a pillowcase when she appeared to Sr. Margherita of the Sacred Heart on the night after she died in 1894.
The appearance was recorded in the archives of the monastery of St. Clare of the Child Jesus in Bastia, Italy. According to the records, Sr. Mary told Sr. Margherita that she was in Purgatory as expiation of her lack of patience in accepting God’s will.
Another is the prayer book of Maria Zaganti which shows three fingerprints left by her deceased friend Palmira Rastelli on March 5, 1871. The sister of the parish priest, she appeared to her friend to ask for Masses to be said by her brother Fr. Sante Rastelli.
A mark of fiery fingerprints were also left on the German prayer book of George Schitz by his brother Joseph on Dec. 21, 1838. He asked for prayer in expiation of his lack of piety during his life.
The Museum of the Souls in Purgatory was created by Fr. Victor Jouët in 1897. A Missionary of the Sacred Heart, Fr. Jouët founded in Rome the Association of the Sacred Heart of the Suffrage of the Souls of Purgatory. The chapel the Association used from 1896-1914 was located at the place where the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is now.
In 1897 the chapel caught on fire. When Fr. Jouët rushed into the chapel, he saw the image of a human face, looking sad and melancholy, impressed upon the wall behind the altar. He believed it to be from the soul of a deceased man trying to contact those on earth. After this occurrence, the priest decided to create a museum dedicated to the artifacts of other appearances of souls in Purgatory.
God is free to do as He will concerning permission of those in Purgatory from contacting those in a living status on Earth. Fascinating issue, although, for those damned, it would appear to be answered by the answer to the plea of Lazarus (The Rich) to Abraham, “And he said to him: If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they believe, if one rise again from the dead.” Luke 16:31.
However, Christ himself used the actual raising of the dead of (but different) Lazarus to show his power and purpose, so who knows? “And I [Jesus] knew that thou hearest me always; but because of the people who stand about have I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.” John 11:42. I chose to believe the latter. Signs can…
(Part Deux) “be vital things to us on Earth. By permitting those in Purgatory to visit Earth, we not only will strengthen our commitment to pray for our loved ones that have departed, but also to avoid our own sinful nature and habits. Satan would gain nothing by this, another basis for seeing such things as real and intended.
Years ago, an unruly student of mine suddenly changed her ways and for the rest of the year was docile as a lamb.` I wondered what prompted the change, and one day as I walked past her desk I saw a copy of a Tan publication on Purgatory According to the Lives and legends of the Saints ( as I recall the title). I bought the book and saw why she had changed. One came away with the conviction that it would be wise to avoid purgatory at all costs, and that we should pray and sacrifice for those there.
This article caused me to pick up my book “Day by Day for the Holy Souls in Purgatory”.
Gift of Peace from the Holy Souls
“November 9: ‘So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.’–John 16:22.”
” ‘The person who shows love and compassion to those in any kind of affliction is blessed, not only with the virtue of good will but also with the gift of peace.” –St. Leo the Great”
“Reflection: Pray for the people in your life who have passed away this year.”
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.”