St. Bertilla, Abbess of Chelles. 692 A.D.
by VP
Posted on Wednesday November 05, 2025 at 04:00AM in Saints
PROGRESS IN VIRTUE. -Not to advance in virtue, as the masters of spiritual life affirm, is to go backward: this maxim is founded on the experience and example of the saints. Bertilla was already solidly grounded in piety when St. Owen, archbishop of Rouen, permitted her to consecrate herself to God in the monastery of Jouarre. She there became still more humble and detached from the promptings of her own will, and more edifying towards all with whom she held dis'course; the abbess, consequently, intrusted her with important offices. So far was she from not realizing the general expectation, that she ever found fresh occasion, both from the functions intrusted to her and from her relations with the world, to advance in virtue. Having been summoned by the general voice to govern the convent of Chelles, founded by Queen Batholos, when that pious sovereign had retired there, these two holy women were seen with great emulation devoting themselves to the practice of good after the most perfect manner; and, according as the end of their lives approached, preparing themselves by manifold and holy practices of piety. Bertilla died towards the year 702.
MORAL REFLECTION. It is written that the saints raise themselves heavenward, proceeding from virtue to virtue, as by steps. (Psa. lxxxiii. 6.) Source: Pictorial Half Hour with the Saints by Abbe Auguste LeCanu
Fifth Day: The Sufferings of Purgatory
by VP
Posted on Wednesday November 05, 2025 at 04:00AM in Purgatory Month Meditations
"The sufferings of Purgatory are twofold: the pain of loss, and the torture of the senses; both in proportion to temporal punishment unremitted. Having committed sin, the soul has turned away from God, thus increasing the pain of loss, or according to our ideas, God departs from that soul and deprives her of His beatific vision. By sin, the souls has been attached to creatures, making improper use of them, displeasing to God, hence the severe punishment, consisting in the pain of the senses. God permits that those who have abandoned their Creator, and bestowed their affections upon creatures, are chastised, by the same, for we read in the Book of Wisdom: "By what things a man sinneth, by the same also is he tormented." (Wis. XI.17)
God has not revealed, nor has the Church ever taught in what manner or to what extent the souls in Purgatory suffer, but it is the opinion of the holy Fathers and Doctors of the Church that what St. Paul writes to the Corinthians, (1, III. 15.) "But he himself shall be saved: yet so as by fire," must he taken in a literal sens, which is accepted also by St. Thomas Aquinas .
Prayer: O Lord, by Thine infinite love and clemency, graciously grant to the suffering souls in Purgatory remittance of their punishment. Receive them into Thy eternal glory, that blessed by Thy beatific vision, they may praise and adore Thee forever and ever. Amen
Prayer for Priests in Purgatory: My Jesus, by the sorrows Thou didst suffer in Thine Agony in the Garden, in Thy Scourging and Crowning with thorns, in the Way to Calvary, in Thy Crucifixion and Death, have mercy on the souls of priests in Purgatory, especially those most forgotten and who have no one else to pray for them. I wish to remember all those priests who ministered to me, the priests my heart has never forgotten, and for those that I no longer recall due to my frailty of memory. Do Thou deliver them from the dire torments they endure; call them and admit them to Thy most sweet embrace in Paradise.
Pope Saint Pius X and Saint John Vianney, pray for us and especially for our priests. Amen
Special Intercession: Pray for the souls of those who have suffered the longest time in Purgatory.
Lord grant them eternal rest, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen. (Three times)
Practice: Do not let human respect prevent you from performing a duty.
Invocation: My Jesus, mercy!
Source: Manual of the Purgatorian Society, Redemptorist Fathers. 1907
