Interesting and helpful prophecies of Bl. Anne Emmerich

[Alfonsus]

Well personally, I think put the emphasis on the blessedness of purgatory is giving purgatory more justice than the suffering, besides, the suffering will definitely cease, while the joy will only become deeper and grow.

But aside from that, I think the best way to present purgatory is to describe the balance of joy and suffering of the purgation process.

In my spiritual life, for quite a time I received direction from the Carmelites.
The description of purgatory by St. Catherine of Genoa is very similar with the Carmelite mystics experience going trough via purgativa, especially if you read the works of Sts. John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila.
They describe the pain, the longing, the suffering yet with intense joy that they will not trade those suffering for anything, because the pain and suffering are scourges of love.
St. Catherine of Genoa said the same thing regarding those in purgatory, the soul will not trade their purification, pain and suffering for anything else, they endure it with joy that comparable only to the joy of the saints.

Thus the mystics experience become a very good frame to understand and interpret visions and analogical description regarding purgatory.

 

[jonbhorton]

Well personally, I think put the emphasis on the blessedness of purgatory is giving purgatory more justice than the suffering, besides, the suffering will definitely cease, while the joy will only become deeper and grow.

But aside from that, I think the best way to present purgatory is to describe the balance of joy and suffering of the purgation process.

In my spiritual life, for quite a time I received direction from the Carmelites.
The description of purgatory by St. Catherine of Genoa is very similar with the Carmelite mystics experience going trough via purgativa, especially if you read the works of Sts. John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila.
They describe the pain, the longing, the suffering yet with intense joy that they will not trade those suffering for anything, because the pain and suffering are scourges of love.
St. Catherine of Genoa said the same thing regarding those in purgatory, the soul will not trade their purification, pain and suffering for anything else, they endure it with joy that comparable only to the joy of the saints.

Thus the mystics experience become a very good frame to understand and interpret visions and analogical description regarding purgatory.

And I’ve contradicted this in concept, how?

My entire point is ignoring the suffering of purgatory leads to a mindset of non-preparation.

I’d rather ruck up when I have the chance, than risk being dropped from the course as nothing more than the gulag awaits the failure.

 

[Alfonsus]

And I’ve contradicted this in concept, how?

My entire point is ignoring the suffering of purgatory leads to a mindset of non-preparation.

I’d rather ruck up when I have the chance, than risk being dropped from the course as nothing more than the gulag awaits the failure.

No, I didn’t say you contradicted it.
I did said, in my opinion, I like the emphasis of joy more since that is what lasting forever.
Please notice that is my choose of emphasis, perhaps because the Carmelites’ work have heavy emphasis in God’s love.

Of course, provided we understand that purgatory is not a second chance after death, there is no second chance. Purgatory is there simply for the saved. Otherwise we will have the skewed understanding of Purgatory to the opposite side: I can do what I please and repent, perhaps sometime after death.

But your answer provide me a further reflection. I found both reflection works and complement each other, and best presented in someone living a purgatory on earth, that is the life of the Mystics.